The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-12
SISTER CECILE.
A Story of the Isthmus and the Canal.

by Russells bedside. He was now
| out OF danger and there were Young
| countrymen OF hers who needed, no. NOT
medicine-they were beyond the aid OF
| ufuss-but cheering words and a soft
| cool hand on the fevered, yellow fore
heads. Many times had sister Cecile
seen the mad burning eyes close, as I'm
relief, at the touch OF her hand on the
youthful brows; and just as often had
she heard the delirlous incoherences-
the ramblings about childish sports and
the calling OF quaint nicknames of
youthful playmates die away 10 a con-
tented sigh and the one moi d--usually
the last-Mamanl
MY dear friend" DR.. Deschamps told
Russell the next morning, there comes
today I'm the 10 o'clock train a friend OF
me which believe you know-Marolle-
Thenac."
Yes" said Russell. "I know nim
well. was his second in his affair with
Allard at Bas Obispo."
An, yes. i remember me. Well, he
is wounded now, by machete.f His
arm. the right. is almost cut ort-off-
how do you say II in English?"
or. How did IL happen?'
'Merci. mon cher; off. And his. let
me see. you say-ah. yes. shoulder" he
Went on triumphantly: his shoulder
Is cut of OF terrific manner. Jamaican
blacks, last week; all drunk and among
themselves clabaudant--"
"Brawling. doctor"
"Brawling. They were going to rob
him. He defended himself well But
one man can make nothing against a
dozen. So he is much cut OF. I have
told Soeur Marie TO put him here with
you-if you do not say no--for we are
full. Every rain means twenty sick,
now"
Yes, bring him here by all means"
said Russell. cordially.
IL was noon when they brought in the
Nicomte de Marolle-Thenac on
stretcher. He was a mass OF bandages
His face was strong and handsome.
almost noble looking. for all that he
was one OF the widest OF the many wild
adventurers France had sent TO the
isthmus Outwardly. at least, he was
certainly true to the traditions OF his
Gascon ancestors whose title was an
ancient and honored one in the Bearn
long before the great Henry embraced
CASTOR de Thenac on the field Of Ivry
Tor the dashing valor there displayed.
Through the sun brown OF his skin
the sickly pallor OF a great and sudden
loss OF blood showed. But. despite his
pains, which must have been acute. he
was calm.
Gently, o Ethiopian," he apostro-
ohized the foremost carrier. And.
thou. most noble Marquis OF Martin |
que" addressing the West Indian ne |
gro who held the rear end of the |
'tretcher, "if thou so much as brush |
'st feathGr against me. shall. be- |
'ond peradventure. split open thy era /
num- even IL l should have TO send 20 |
'reusot for the steam hammer. All |
russell. mon ami. charmed to see you
lot only alive but looking seventeen /
million times better than when / last |
lad the pleasure at Matachin. You see
Ne IA low. but ever your devoted |
T'-r' and servant To command" Then |
le ripped out terrific string OF oaths:
me of the attendants had accidentally |
tumbled, toltng the wounded man.
After he was transferred To the cot
e grew quieter and soon was telling
RUSSELL about the affair.
Twelve wounds. the doctor said |
ach worse than the others. Bleed? |
iy dear fellow. more than they do the
tockholders OF this company Lltres
T the oldest blood in France redden-
lg kilometre or two of railroad track |
t Culebra. However. thanks To
igilant Providence I was able TO shoot |
cad three Of the drunken anthropoids.
Marolle- Thenac after having defied
ne best rapiers of France and the most
Malignant fevers of this isthmian hell |
)r eighteen months. To fall bv the hand
rum-crazed negroes, That were
ldeed an infamv of which le bon Dieu
utterly inca pabls. | think too we'll
him 10 believe IL. Now as soon as
ou and are well enough to leave this
lrsed--"
Sister Cecile. carrying tray with
,me cooling drink for Russell entered
he room. Russell who was watching
ar. as he always did from the moment |
le came into the room. saw that her
zee grew a sickly pale-almost yellow
sside the snowy whiteness OF her sis
re head-dress. But what frightened
m, So that he caught his breath |
larply. was the terror in her starting
'es. He turned to see what caused II
nd saw Marolle-Thenac's face. also
ale. but with drooping jaw and eyes
de with unutterable astonishment.
SOeur Cecils laid down the tray on |
e little night stand. Russell noticed
at her hands. the absurdly small |
'nds that always reminded him OF the |
rgin's in the chapel. shook.
Behold what ] bring for YOU. VI. |
oosell: it Will make you cool. doubt
eyes. sister. thousand thanks" he
Id. wondering at the sudden huski- !
ss OF her voice.
Without another word she turned to
Renee said Marolle-Thenac
She did not heed. but walked on q
'Renee!" cried the wounded man up
arting from his bed. He sank back
tn a groan. q
Sac a
rhe oath died on his lips for Soeur G
cilc, livid as corpse. turned, and i'm | v
calm voice said: Monsieur calls? :
'Reneer"
L am called Sister Ceclle. I am at g
ur service"
'Sherie----' began the Frenchman. =
I must go to call the doctor Mon
ur Is evidently delirious." she said 10
lssell. As she finished speaking she | 1
ugh; her breath sharply--a curious
lie indrawn gasp. p"
Renee. Sister Cccilc--whatevc YOU | y
~ call yourself" e.
I shall send the doctor" AS she
rned to go. Marofe- Thcnac grasp
, one of the bandages as " to- tear it 4
said. IF YOU do, he shall find a
'pse." n
Monsieur le Nicomtc. Z in-olore-"
All" he said. as n obhviotis Of Rus 4
Ia presence. ut was once Raoul" n
ere was bitterness i'm his tone. .
! am Sister Cecile." she said.
Come hereH he commanded.