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


over again, till my ears ached with
me repetition Peace! What had TO
Al with peace or goodwill? The Christ
Mass could teach me nothing. was
as one apart from human llfe-an alien
,,,m its customs and anectlons-for
ma no love. NO brotherhood remained.
The swinging song OF the chimes
iarred my nerves. Why. | thought,
sbonld the wild, erring world with all
its wicked men and women, presume
- rejoice at the birth of the Saviour?
they. who were not worthy to be
saved! turned swiftly away; l
strobe fiercely past the kingly pines
that now thoroughly awakened,
seemed to note me with a stern dis
dain as though they said among
themselves What manner OF small
creature is this that torments him
self with passions unknown to US in
orr calm converse with the stars?"
| was glad when | stood again on
the hlgn-rcad, and infinitely relieved
when | heard the rapid trot of horses
and rumbllng of wheels, and saw my
closed brougham, drawn by its pranc-
ing black AMbians, approaching. l
walked to meet it; the coachman, see
ing me. draw up instantly. | babe
him take me to the Contento deil
Aununzata, and entering the carriage,
[ was driven rapidly away
The convent was situated, | knew,
somewhere between Naples and Sor-
rento guessed it to be near Castel-
lamare. but it was fully three miles
beyond thst, ard was a somewhat
long drive Of more than two hours. 1t
lay a good distance out of the direct
route, and was only attained
by by-road, which from it's
rough and broken condition was evil
IDENTIFY not much frequented. The
building stood apart from all other
habitations in a large open piece OF
ground. fenced in by a high stone
wall spikes at the top, roses climbed
thickly among the spikes, and almost
aid their sharp points from view, and
from a perfect nest of green foliage,
the slender spire Of the convent
chapel rose into the sky like a white
finger pointing to finger pointing to
finger pointing to heaven. My coach
man Drew up to the heavily barred
gates. | alighted, and babe him take
the carriage to the principal hostelry
at Castellamare, and wait for me
1, Ill Nef
! rang the convent bell. A little wicket
fixed in the gate opened Immediately,
and the wr1nkled visage Of a very old
and ugly nun loked out. She de-
manded in low tones what | sought. |
handed her my card, and stated my de-
sire TO see the Countess Romani, if
agreeable to the superioress. While
] spoke she looked at me curiously-
my spectacles, | suppose, excited her
wonder-for | had replaced these dis
guising glasses Immediately on leav-
ing the scene of the duel-i needed
them yet little while longer After
peering at me minute or two with
her bleared and aged eyes she shut
click and disappeared. While awaited
her return | heard the sound of child
ren's laughter and light footsteps run
ming trippingly on the stone passage
within.
ri donce. Rosie," said the girls
voice in French; ia bonnie Mere Mar
guerite sera tres tres fachee avec toll"
"Tais-to, petite sainte!" cried an
other voice more piercing and silvery
in tone "Je veux voir qui est la!
Hest un homme je sails bien-parceQue
la yieille Mere Laura a rough and
Doth young voices broke into
chorus Of renewed laughter.
Then came the shutting noise Of the
cd nuns footsteps returning; she
evidently caught the two truants, who
ever they We're for | heard her ex-
postulating, scolding. and apostrophiz-
ng the saints all in breath, as she
'ade them go inside the house and
aSk the good little Jesus TO forgive
lleir naughtiness. A silence ensued,
men the bolts and bars of the huge
gate were undone slowly-it opened
and | was admitted. | raised my hat
us ! entered, and walked bare-headed
through long, cold corridor, guided
oJ the venerable nun, who looked at
me no more, but told her beads as she
walked ana never spoke till she had
.ed me into the building, through
''fty hall Of glorious and sacred paint
Y IS and large statues, and from thence
INTO large, elegantly furnished room,
"hose windows commanded a fine
view OF the grounds. Here she
1ptloned me to take seat, and with
'1t lifting her eyelids, said:
Mother Marguerite will wait upon
YOU instantly. signor."
] bowed. and she glided from the
room 50 noiselessly that lid not even
near the door close behind her. Left
None in what | rightly concluded was
me receptions room for visitors, !
'"ked about me with some faint in
crest and curiosity had never be-
.'re seen the interior of what is