The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-04
NUN LOST; WIFE GAINED.
Pretty Romance of u Young NOvitiat.
i'm an Ottawa Convent.


OTTAWA, Ont, Oct. BIN spite of pro-
tests and entreaties of parents and religious
superiors, one of the Gray nuns of Notre
Dame of Ottawa has renounced her con-
vent life and gone back into the world en-
ticed thither by the mischievous imp, Gu
pid for whom the bolts and bars of a con-
vent are more sacred than are the lock-
smith devices on mere secure secular build
ings. Mile. Baudoin, who afterwards was
known as Sister Bousecours was only six
teen years old when she protested herself
a postulate of the Order of the Gray Nuns.
She was the daughter of a tradesman, who
like many of his class among the French
Canadians, imagined that to have a son or
daughter in religious orders was to have
a patent of nobility Mile. Baudoin had
imbibed her own share of the family super
stition. She had some superficial accom-
plishments and a slight ground work of
education. She had been a pupil in the con-
vent. OF life and the world she knew moth
ing. So Mile. Baudoln started in on her
probation-a probation of five years, the
VOWS being made only from year to year.
At first things went admirably. Everybody
loved the girl-they couldn't help it. She
herself seemed happy. The pent-up sun
shine in her nature had to find some outlet
and it dubbed out in music. The fame Of
Sister Bousecourss skill and genius in mu-
sic soon crept out beyond the convent walls
But in the meantime something was hap
pening to Sister Bousecours 1t dated from
the day when a handsome young physician
called at the convent with his sister to see
friend. 1t was observed by the lynx-eyed
sisters that the physician had occasion for
a number of days after his visit to go by
the convent, very frequently, and further
more in connection with this fact coin
cidence was observed. This was that when
ever the physician was passing Sister BouS-
occurs was always playing the piano with
nerve and dash which was remarkable
even in her, brilliant musician as she was.
Besides, while Sister Bousecours was play
ing the physician was not merely going by,
he was conspicuously sauntering and even
lettering.
OF course the Gray Nuns were scandal
lized at this. AS for the Mother Superior
she took Sister BouSecourS severely to task
Moreover, she inflicted penances upon her
and all this was very injudicious, for if
Sister Bousecours was of devoted religious
faith so was She also high spirited She
met the discipline with declaration of in
dependence. She announced that she would
leave the convent at the expiration Of the
year; that she would not renew her vows
for another year; would not become Gray
Nun and would return to the world and
live in it. Then came entreaties, threats,
appeals to the bishop But it was all in
vain until the aid of Sister Bousecours' s
father, Baudoin, was called in. Baudoin in
substance pronounced sentence of parental
accommodation upon his daughter unless
she renowned her pro1ane purpose. He
would have naught to do with her here or
hereafter she would die with his maledic-
ton upon her.
Poor Sister Bousecours had braved all the
artillery of the church; had endured all the
humiliation and the disgusting penances
that were heaped upon her without once
shrinking in her resolution. But under the
paternal wrath all her fine spirit gave way
She continued in the convent, dragging out
an unhappy Wearisone lie untll hperty at
Then she shed the gray gown forever and
fluttered away like a bird out of a cage. In
Montreal she began giving music lessons.
until by the strangest of strange chances
that handsome physician reappeared on the
scene. And-well. they were married, and