Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-02

IN gUSSdner WnIte, Win 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 movement OF
disgust l 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. L saluted her with a deep rever-
ence; she responded by the slightest
| possible bend of her head. Her out
ward manner WF3 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 her quiet breast. Her voice.
though low, was singularly clear and
| penetrating.
i address the Count Oliva?' she
inquired. -
l bowed in the affirmative She
looked at me keenly; she had dark
brilliant eyes, in which the smoloer-
, ing fires of many a conquered passion
still cleaned.
You would see the Countess Ro-
mani, who is in retreat here?"
IF not inconvenient or out of rule
- I began.
The shadow of 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
strict regime, but today being a uni
VerSal feast-oay 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"
L could no less than accede to this
proposition, though in truth it was
unWelcome to me. [ was in no humor
Tor either prayers or praise; [ thought
moodlly how startled even this impas-
siVe nun might have been, could she
have known what manner of man it
was that she thus invited to kneel in
the sanctuary. However, l said no
word of objection, and she babe me
follow her. AS we left the room |
asked:
lis the countess Well?'
She seems So returned Mere Mar
guerite; she follows her religious
duties with exactitude, and makes no
complaint of fatigue
We We're now crossing the hall, I
Ventured on another inquiry.
She was a favorite pupil of yours,
l believer"
The nun turned her passionless face
toward me with an air of mild sur
prise and reproof
Il have no favor1tes,'' she answered.,
ccldly. "All the children educated here
share my attention and regard
equally.
mmmured an apology, and added
with a forced smile:
You must pardon my apparent in
quisitiveness, but as the future hus-
band 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.
Il 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 a gentle and
! wise protector. May his soul rest in
! peace! But a second marriage for her
is what [ did not expect, and what l
can not in my conscience approve. You
! see l speak frankly"
Il am honored that you do so, mad
ame!'' | said, earnestly, feeling a GER
| tain respect for this sternly COM
| posed yet patient-featured woman;
! yet, though in general you may find
many reasonable objections to it, a
second marriage is, I think, in the
| Countess Romani's case almost neces-
sary. She is utterly without a pro-
tector-she is very young, and how
beautiful
The nuns eyes grew solemn and al
! most mournful
Such beauty is a curse" she an
swered, with emphasis; "a fatal-a
fearful curse! as a child it made her
hayward. AS a woman it keeps her
wayward still. Enough Of this, sig
ncr!" and she bowed her head; lex
cuse my plain speaking. Rest assured
that l wish you both happiness
We had by this time reached the
door OF the chapel, through which the
sound of the pealing organ poured
forth in triumphal surges of melody
Mere Marguerite dipped her fingers in
the holy water, and signing herself
with the cross, pointed out bench at
the back of the church, as one that
strangers were allowed to occupy.
seated myself, AMI looked with a GER
tain soothed admiration at the pictur-
esque scene before me. There was the
sparkle of twinkling Gghts-the bloom
ana fragrance of flowers. There were
silent rows of nuns blue-robed and
White-veiled, kneeling and absorbed