Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-12-16
Continued.

mock q reilglCuSe rs GoHlIlph dlt9'
ment with young girls and women OF
the world. am accustomed 10 IT,
though / feel its cruelty more than !
ought TO do. Ladies like the Countess
Romanl mink that We've, the sepui-
cheers OF womanhood sepulchers that
We have emptied and eleansed to the
best OF our ability 50 that they may
more fittingly hold the body OF the
crucfed Christ; these grandes danes
/ say. fancy that we are Ignorant Of
all they know--that we cannot under
stand love, tenderness, or passion
They never reflect-hoW should they
that we also have had our histories
histories, perhaps, that would make
angels weep for pity! |, even i
and she struck her breast hereby,
then suddenly recolecting herself,
she continued codly: The rule OF
our convent signor, permits no visitor
TO remain longer than one hour-that
hour has expired. | will summon a
sister to show you the way out"
wait one instant, madame
said. feeling that to enact my part
thoroughly / ought to attempt to make
some defense of Nina's conduct; per
mil ne TO say a word My tiancee is
very young and thoughtless. ] really
cannot think that her very innocent
parting caress TO me had anything In
IL that was meant to purposely annoy
you"
The nun glazed at me-her eyes
flashed disdainfuly.
"You think it was all affection for
You, no doubt signor? A very natural
suppositlon, and should be sorry to
undeceiye you"
She paused a moment and then re-
sumed
"You seem an earnest man may be
you are destined 10 be the means Of
saving Nina; | could say much--y yet It
is wise to be silent II you love her
do not fatter her; her overweenlng
vanity Is her ruin. a firm, wise, ruiz
ing master hand may perhaps-who
krows7" She hcsitated and sighed,
then added, gently, Farewell, Signor!
Benedictel' and making the sign Of
the cross as | respectfully bent my
head to receive her blessing, she passed
noiselessly from the room.
one moment later, and a lame and
aged lay sister came to escort me to
the gate AS | passed down the stone
corridor u side door opened a very
little way. and two young faces peeped
out at me. For an instant | saw -four
laughing bright Dyes; heard n
smothcred voice say "Ohl c'est nm
vieux papar and then my guide, who
though lame was not blind perceived
the opened door and shut IL with an
angry bang. which, however, did not
drown the ringing mcrrimeGt that
echoed from within On reaching the
outer gates | turned to my venerable
companion and laying four twenty.
franc pieces in her shiyeriug palm, /
said
Take these to the reverend mother
FOR me. and ask that mass may be said
IN the chapel tomorrow for the repose
OF the soul Of him whose name is
written here"
Ana gave her Guido Fernri's
visiting card, adding in lower AMI
more solemn tones
lie met with % sudden and uupre-
pared death OF your charity, pray
also for the man who KILLED him.
The old woman looked startled and
crossed. herself deyoutly, but she
prow rAed that my wishes should he
'tncNued, and I babe her farewell and
e'i ssed out, the convent gates closing
.. with a dun clang behind me ] walked
ON few yards and then paused
looking back, What a peaceful home
Il seemed, how calm and sure a re-
treat. with the white Noisctto roses
browning its ancient wallsl Yet
what embodied curses were pcut-up ir
thorc In the shape Of girls growing e
be women women FOR whom an tho
care. stern training ana anxious
soHyitude OF the nuns would be UNI
awaiting. women who would come
forth from oven that abode OF sauctlN
with vile natures and animal inn.
pulses. and wno would hereafter, vhiIt
leading a life of vice and hypocrisy
mold mp this very str,ctnoss of theu
early cduoatuu as proof of their an
impcachable innocence and Virwe'
To such. what lesson lis learned hy the
daily example Of the nuns who moyt.N
their flesh fast pray. and weep' n.