Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1896-06-24
W. ". B. GALLAHER, Editor.
June e4, 1896.
SISTER ROSES YELL.

IL uol SViO ~ ~ "'9 'HN NN'~'N'- $50
France for those daughters Of noble fam
lies who could find husband TO enter a
convent. That many took the veil very
much against their will goes without say
ing, and more than one clustered beauty
regretted the pleasures and vanities of this
wicked world.
In 1897 there was large number of
these poor birds Gagged in the great con-
vent of Aries, the antique royal abbey of
st. Cesaire, but the youngest and prettiest
of them all was-undoubtedly Sister Rose.
Rose de X belonged to family that
was great deal richer in ancestors than
hard cash.
In the opinion of the parents it was far
better for their daughters to pass their
lives under the veil in some rich monas-
terry than to espouse some pennies noble.
Rose probably failed TO take this wise
view of the matter. but the parental fiat
had gone forth, it only remained for her
to obey.
Being young and of naturally cheer
ful disposition, she soon accommodated
herself TO her forced seclusion, and no
doubt would ere long have become recon-
ciled TO the extremely easy existence en-
joyed by the inmates of the convent had
not her unlucky star placed in her way
dashing chevalier who turned her head.
This chevalier was the brother of
Roses particular friend, a nun like her.
self, and they first saw each other one
visiting day in the reception room, with
the result that the chevalier promptly fell
heels over head in love.
He determined to make his passion
known to the pretty nun. This was cas-
lily accomplished by means of billet
doux, a complaisant gardener and piece
of gold.
Had Rose done her duty she would
have refused the missive with indignation,
or have thrown it in the fire without read
ing it, But she was young, she was Gu
rious-and maybe she was in love.
On the night Of Shrove Tuesday when
all the convent had retired TO rest. Rose
issued barefooted and on tiptoe from her
cell, and flew like frightened bird to the
end of the garden. She was probably
not overcome by surprise to find there a
gallant chevalier, who threw his mantle
around her and in trice whisked her up
ladder and over the garden wall.
An hour later the chevalier appeared
at the masked ball in progress at the Jeu
de Jaume, and clinging to his arm was
the prettiest and timidest domino that
ever was seen.
They danced together, and everybody
admired them. They were in fact, too
much admired, for presumptious officer
wanted to dance with the pretty domino.
But the chevalier failed to see the fun of
it.
Facelious compliments were exchanged,
and in two shakes of lambs tail two
blades were drawn from their sheathCs and
probing for the soft spots in the respec-
tive anatomies of the rivals, while the
whole ball was in an uproar.
Rose, wild with terror, fitted out of the
ball room into the dark labyrinth of the
streets like will o the wisp without
anybody takiny any notice Of her.
What was to become of her? Return
home to her ia aer? She trembled at the
mere thought; he would probably kill
her should she dare to show her face be-
fore him Return 10 the convent? Abso-
lutely out of the question.
While she was lamenting her terrible
plight the bell of the Carmelites du
Marche Neuf began TO ring mathis. It's
clear, sonorous clang summoning the nuns