Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-12-02

There were may photographs on the
walls and mantle-piece portraits of
girls, some plain of face and form,
others beautiful-no doubt they had
all been sent TO the nuns as souvenirs
of former pupils. Rising from my
chair | examined a few of them care
lesSly, and was about to inspect a
fine copy of Murillo's Virgin, when my
attention was caught by an upright
crest and coronet. In it was the por-
trait of my wife, taken in her bridal
dress, as she looked when she married
me. l took it to the light, and stared
at the features obviously. This was
she-this slim, fairy-like creature clad
in gossamer white, with the marriage
veil thrown back from her clustering
hair and childlike face--this was the
thing for which two mems lives had
been sacrificed With a movement of
disgust | replaced the frame in its
former position; | had scarcely done
so when the door opened quietly and
a tall woman, clad in trailing robes of
pale blue, with nuns band and veil
of fine white cashmere, stood before
me. | saluted her with a deep rever-
ence; she responded by the slightest
possible bend of her head Her out
ward manner was so very still and
composed that when she spoke her
colorless lips scarcely moved, her
very breathing never stirred the silver
crucifix that lay like a glittering sign
manual on aer quiet breast. Her voice,
though low, was singularly clear and
penetrating.
Il address the Count Oliva?" she
inquired
| bowed in the affirmative. She
looked at me keenly; she had dark
brilliant eyes, in which the smolner
ing fires of many conquered passion
Still cleaned
You would see the Countess Ro-
mani, who is in retreat here?"
IF not inconvenient or out OF rule
-" l began.
The shadow of a smile fitted across
the nuns pale, intellectual face; it
was gone almost as soon as it ap-
peared.
Not at ALL" she replied, in the
same even monotone. The Countess
Nina is, by her own desire, following
a strict regime, but today being uni
versal feast -aay all rules are some
what relaxed The reverend mother
desires me to inform you that it is
now the hour for mass-she has her
self already entered the chapel. If you
will share in our devotions, the coun-
tess shall afterwards be informed of
your presence here"
| could no less than accede to this
proposition, though in truth it was
unwelcome tC me. | was in no humor
for either prayers or praise; thought
moodily how startled even this impas<
sive nun might have been, could she
have kr own what manner of man it
was that she thus invited to kneel in
the sanctuary However, | said no
word of objection, and she babe me
follow her. AS we left the room |
asked:
is the countess well?'
She seems So" returned Mere Mar
guerite; she follows her religious
duties with exactitude, and makes no
complaint of fatigue"
We were now crossing the hall.
yentured Oh another inquiry.
She was favorite pupil of yours,
| believer"
The nun turned her passionless face
toward me with an air of mild sur
prise and reproof.
Il have no favorites, she answered.,
cCldly. "All the children educated here
share my attention and regard
equally"
l murmured an apology, and ADDED
with forced smile:
You must pardon my apparent in
quisitiveness, but as the future hus-
bfnd of the lady who was brought up
under your care, | am naturally in
terested in all that concerns her"
Again the searching eyes of the
religieuse surveyed me; she sighed
slightly.
II am aware OF the connection be-
tween you" she said, in rather a
panied tone. Nina Romani belongs
to the world, and follows the ways of
the world. OF course, marriage is the
natural fulfilment OF most young
girls destines; there are comparatively
few who are called out Of the ranks
to serve Christ Therefore, when Nina
married the estimable Count Romani,
of whom report spoke ever favorably,
we rejoiced feeling that her future
was safe in the hands of gentle and
wise protector. May his soul rest in
peacel But second marriage for her
is what / did not expect, and what |
can not in my conscience approve. You
see / speak frankly"
Il am honored that you do SO, mad
ame," / said, earnestly, feeling GER
tain respect for this sternly COM
posed yet patient-featured woman;
yet. though in general you may find
many reasonable objections to il,