The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-15
The Little Nun.
F'rom Temple Bar. In four. parts.)
PARP IL

An, monsieur is TOO KIND; monsieur
makes too much of little service" SAID
the little nun deprec:atingly. 1T is our
work to nurse, and one learns, naturally,
much of fevers in Africa
She looked at Aldricks as he spoke, and
he responded by saying he believed fever
was one of the curses of Africa, but he
had the fortune not to experience il; he
had, however, only once paid flying visit
to the Cape.
ITO the Caper The grey eyes brighten
ed. Does monsieur, then, know Cape
| TOWN."
But a fortntght's acquaintanceship," he
said. .'Has-has madam"-he stammered
awkwardly over the word, scarcely know
| ing how 10 address a nun-"been there?"
| MATS, oui, monsieur, In the hospital.
| Now We have received our orders to come
| home"
| And you must obey orders?"
"Assuredly," she answered, smiling back
cheerfuly-"we go where We are sent.
Sometimes Africa, it may be Russia. or
| perhaps London next-who knows? But II
| is quite our pleasure. monsieur she adj
| ded quickly; 1T is not at all against the
| will"
Madame is very fortunate" he said
! gravely.
| There was something Of such dignity and
| bricks, although he had no high regard for
| the Roman Catholic religion. conceived
| great respect and liking for her on the
| spot, and as the train few onward past
hamlets and fields and vineyards, and he
drew in by the half-open window a per-
fume Of early flowers, breath OF new
earth, a freshness Of spring-these, also, in
their young sweetness mingled in his mind
and remained always with the thought
of her. He saw dreamily the blue-bloused
peasants working in their fields the women
toihng Ike the men, with figures bent
through bearing heavy burdens; observed
here and there a tall cross with out
stretched arms, casting its shadow across
the sunny roads; saw great monastic
buildings standing deep amongst rich past
ures. or raised high on heights, where ali
the pathways of the land pointed up TO
them like white fingers; heard, through
musings, born of these sights, the muir
INJURED speech of his companions, and, fl
nally, became more widely awake by some
more poignant tone Of feeling In TIE young
Englshman's voice.
Dear old tub-slow old ark-I never
thought 1 should be sorry to leave her;
and you, sister, were you not sorry,
too?"
The little nun did not answer for a mo-
not know, monsieur" AS Aldricks glanced
up he fancied there was a look of trouble
on her face.
II have hunger" observed the older nun,
suddenly laying down her book, and she
unfastened her bag and took out a piece
OF dry bread.
Eat. Sister Ursula" she said content
edly, breaking off a piece and holding il
out to the other; thou hast hunger too"
The young man put out his hand iInpul-
sively as if he would forbid her, and just
then the train. which had been slackening
speed, drew near TO station.
Happy thought he cried, jumping up.
Il can't pronounce these outlandish Ital-
ian names, but I'm morally certain this
must be the station where We are allowed
ten. minutes for eating. Sister, dont-don't
take that hard bread, 1 beg of you; shall
go and forage, and fetch you something
more tempting"
Scarcely waiting for the train to stop.
he leapt out. Aldricks, following more leis-
urely, perceived him at the buffet buying
an indiscriminate assortment Of cakes ap-
pies, rolls, and little fiagons of wine, and,
by the emphasis of his English voice and
the eloquence Of his English gold, making
himself understood Shortly afterwards
when the artist entered the carriage, ne
two nuns and the young Englishnan en-
joying it with all the relish and gaiety OF |
children. 1t came as a surprise to him 10
hear the girEsh laughter of the little sis |
ter. He had always fancied nuns in their
black Sarb as being apart from humanity |
and living in chill atmosphere of their |
own. But there was a something very |
fresh and natural about this young nun |
which no black garb could hide; and yet. |
at the same time, he could almost think It |
was not ga.ety alone. but rather hidden |
current of excitement that was SO stirring |
the quiet moonlight charm of her face, |
that had brought a pink flush to the pale |
cheek, and a shining TO the grey eyes.
by Jovei how good these apples TASTE
said the young fellow setting his strong. |
apple since l left old England. Try this |
jolly little chap, Sister Ann, He's Ike |
one of your Normandy pippins. On. oui, |
oui, yes, do
Now L have not hunger said the old |
nun, drawing her handkerchief across her
lips. Monsieur has been very amiable:
merci. beaucoup. monsieur" She nodded
her kindly sunburnt face, crossed herself, |
and murmured a prayer.
SISTER Anna was plain woman; a simple |
primitive soul, who unaffectedly enjoyed |
and resigned them with the same cheerful
ness of heart. She settled herself in a cor
ner OF the carriage. folded her hands be-
low her long sleeves, and composed her
self TO sleep. Sister Ursula moved to the
other corner and opened her little black
book
You are going 20 read?" exclaimed the
young man reproachfully.
Monsieur, yes; il is my hour for devo-
ton She crossed herself and the sign
seemed 10 form a screen. railing her apart. |
The young Englishman fell back d:sap-
pointedly.
Care to look at this paper?' said AL
bricks. holding out his journal; its few
days old out it's English
oh, thanks. very much; anything short
OF six months is new 10 me. Africa doesn't
provide US with the Times every morn
ing he added with a laugh.
You have been living II African"
In the heart OF it-yes. l took the Rider
Haggard fever when I was young chap. |
and nothing would satisfy me but Africa;
SC my people, bless them, sent me there
But now I'm going home to &c, some En-
yish breezes, and IL rather think have
had enough OF 1t, and Ia ike 20 settle
Town" He glanced iuterrog atively at his |
"A man gets tired OF knock
ng about. don't you know" ne went on, |
and the fact is. one grows
10 be a sort OF heather Ike the rvJr Of
hem out there. snd-and ), isn't riSht
.ort of thing. don't you know" he paused |
With a curious lock, half-defan;ly -boyish.
Aldr;cks nodded silently. He was a man
II few words, and had often cursed his
,wn want of expression. The young En-
ylshman redeemed, reiapsei into himself as
Z ashamed CO his frsEkness. untolde6 the