Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-06-24
o the chapel recalled the convent 10 her

est of men, and father to his people
Whenever be had visited the convent he
always advised and encouraged her.
Why not go to him? He alone had the
power to save her.
A few minutes later she was pulling
the bell at the door of the archbishop's
palace. She had to ring long time, for
the porter was not accustomed to be call
ed up at such an hour.
The good prelate did not make so much
fuss about it. When he learned that a
lady wished TO see him on serious and ur-
gent business, he had her shown up to the
waiting room without more ado.
The holy man was surprised to recog-
nize in the mysterious supplicant nun
whom he believed to be safely inferred in
her convent, and even more so when the
girl he always regarded as a model of
saintliness confessed her awful fault.
At first he had a good mind to shake
her, but seeing her in tears he could not
help plying the poor lamb who had wan
dered from the fold and appealed to him,
the good shepherd, to lead her back again;
so, placing his hand on her head, and
said,
"My daughter your fault is great
However, swear to me that you will never
again listen to the counsels of the devil,
and that you will henceforward be the ex-
ample of piety you ought to be, and we
will see what can be done"
Rose promised fervently all that was
required of her.
"Tis we'll ?" exclaimed his lordship,
raising her to her feet. Courage Cover
up your face so that no one can recog-
nize you"
A few minutes later the last of the rev.
elers from the masked ball at Jeu de
Jaume were surprised to meet the arch
bishops carriage rumbling along toward
the convent.
The sister who acted as doorkeeper of
the convent, awaked by the noise Of the
wheels as the carriage drew up at the
gate, popped her head out of the window
of her turret and thought she was
dreaming when she beheld his grace the
archbishop.
The abbess jumped out of bed and hur-
riedly donned her robe, putting her veil
on all awry in her precipitation, and for
getting her golden crucifx.
The archbishop was waiting for her in
the reception room.
MADAME" he exclaimed sternlY, as
she entered, "it appears that scandalous
things are taking place in your convent.
l am told that some of your young nuns
CAD about the streets at night"
go, monsignor, it is impossible !" ejac-
ulated the abbess, clasping her hands and
raising her eyes in horrsr.
"a truce to talking" continued the
archbishop. Il am here to see for myself
as is my duty, whether all is in order
Let every nun lock herself in her cell, and
you madame set the example by with
drawing to your department. | will 60
the rounds of the cloisters and see
whether everybody responds to the roll
call"
Every nun, from the abbess to the
doorkeeper, locked herself in her CELL
His lordship then fetched Rose, who was
huddling in the carriage, and led her
through the deserted corridors TO her cell,
where she noiselessly locked herself in
Then the archbishop went the round of
the convent, knocking at every door.
No one knew for certain what became
of the chevalier. He had unfortunately
killed his advisory and had to fly from
law.
Some declare he became a monk. OH
ers assert that he was taken at Quiberon,
and that when the Republicans shot him
he was found to be wearing q sash across
his breast-the white veil of nun. Any.
how he was never seen in Aries again.
adapted from the French for Boston Globe.