The morning times., 1897-01-03

proaches the grating, ard then woman
is smiling out at them and putting little
white hand through the lattice work and
greeting them with cuict, pleasant voice.
1t is not so difficult after they have
found their voices. The sister is smiling
and human. She doubtless understands
what they want before they ask, and before
they know it all OF them are seated near
the grating convcrsing eagerly with the
sister, who never interrupts, and to whom
they find themselves listening with some
thing like reverence wien she does speak
She touches the chord of love at once in
their hearts, and they find the words that
they wanted to say tumhling over Them
selves. They wish to make short re-
treat. They want TO get completely away
from the world for a time. They don't want
any unusual attention, and they will be
only too happy to fall into the routine and
austere life OF the sisters if they may be
received.
The sister withdraws to get permission
for them from the superior, and returns To
tell them they may come if they are willing
TO sleep in the dormitroy. The idea is so
novel that they agree TO il at once. The day
is fixed for them straightway.
"Shau we have to fast and keep silence
and all that" asks one impulsively.
No; you must not fast says tile sister
gently. "The church is your mother, and
she does not require her children To harm
their bodies. She requires you to purge
your souls. L think it would not be well
for You 10 try absolute silence, either.
Bring some light work with you, and dur
ing your relaxation you can talk on pious
subjects that will be edifying TO your souls
They affectionately say iocdby and go
AWAY wondering what the sisters Will
think edifying, end if there is anything in
their stock of conversational resources
that could ossibly be turned 10 pious ac-
| count. They are much affected 10y the in
/ terview, however, ard pLll long faces and
! !, OK very determined.
1T will do us world of good" says
| one, "and isn't she just lovely" says
another. Fancy sleeping in quaint, little
beds in dormitory and not talking for
hours" says the third.
And so they are whlrlcd away to their
homes of. luxury, filled with visions OF
austerIty and with a soIt Of spiritual unc-
tion laid TO their hearts that they should
have undertaken SO much FOR their own
cleansing.
The World Clings to Them.
On tie day appointed they return. All
the color and fashionable bangles of their
life have been eliminated from their at
tire They are fresh from their morning
bath and disseminate an odor OF violets
as they move. The black gowns are the
| humblest they possess, but they rustic
/ 4 I.t ar
| colored dust rouchc peeps out with the
| movements OF their trim booted feet.
They are worldings stin, though re-
duced to their lowest possible terms. The
brass bell knob is pulled again, and after
the panel is opened, the sister closes ii
with a nod OF smiling recognition. Then
they hear heavy bolt slip back and the
big door is swung open. The sister with
draws, however, and they walk in, while
she stands behind a screen. the door
| closes behind them, and the world has
fallen away.
They are in a wide, lofty corridor, with
! bare polished, oak floors and deSolate walls,
though it is place Of exquisite neatness
Their sister comes to meet them, and Sa y!
cheerfuny, so you We're not frightene'
away. You have come with your purpose
fixed?''
Then she takes them down another cor
ridor, where they have just time to OBJ
serve picture of the Sacred Heart, with
the light shining behind it and through it
They are conducted into a classroom anC
the sister seats herself to give them a little
homilie. She has arranged their medita
tions for them in little Old books that man,
nuns have held. The work is by Bourdalou
a Father OF the Society ofJesus. tits Med
itations and Considerations for Spiritus
Retreat"
The sister explains to them that the
must read these meditations as they ar
numbered, and reflect on the points brougt
, out. Each morning and afternoon is to
, broken up into hours for this purpose, ant
certain times are set for avisttothe BlesSe
! Sacrament for prayers and reading of TIL
litany or the saints.
After these explanations and a gent
eXhortatiOn tc seriousness and complete SUI
q render, she conducts them to the dormitc-
> to lay aside their hats and then leads tn
: way TO the chapel. Before entering ther
; She gives each veil to throw over her head
= as no woman must enter the chapel unco'
, cred. After they have made their fir
: short prayers she takes them to separat
rooms along the corridor, music rooms f,
, the academy. In them are little woodC
desks OF the shabhiest order, and hefo
r these are chairs and benches to kneel On.
. Above the desks are pictures which sfl
9 tells them will excite holy thoughts, an
she leaves them with their book of medit;
tions, and another book Of piety. such
;. Thomas Attempts" to read betwee
y hours.
Facing Their Conscience