Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-01-05


did plain sewing al the window all day
long for months, just as l am doing
now. Some day in Gods own time |
will be a nun kept measure with the
rolling wheel There was ne hurry.
ana on Sundays after mass J used 10
go TO the convent II seemed like a
great castle rising high above the side
walk. and within the nuns, like noble
ladies. came so kindly down 10 me-"
Sister Euphemia turned toward the
window once more. How tired she
was then, and she had never grown
rested: but what matter? 1t was in
Gods service. and what a recreation
those few minutes of sweet atmosphere
had been in her blank existence. She
heard droning of voices in the room
beyond, and a memory came back of
rare embroideries that ravished her
eyes and moved TO such passionate de-
sire as was never before known in her
arid life Oh! to evolve beneath her own
fingers such miracles of the needle. She
seemed TO feel anew the great infiu
ence working in her, flushing her veins
and injecting great vigor into her
being, but suddenly control walled
back the forbidden flow as canal gates
close against the rush of hurrying wa
ter, and she went on in her usual cool,
quiet voice:
There l saw such exquisite finger
work" she said, slowly and with a
timid kind of hesitation; 1T seemed
wonderful gift and privilege 10 paint
such pictures with the needle. to be
able 10 buy materials and work out
ones own beautiful designs. The great
value Of those magnificent vestments.
representing months and months of pa
tient labor. held me awe-stricken. All
at once | realized could do this-that
my artistic and theoretical equipment
were simply seconded by my skill in
fine stitching. | was happy thinking to
what great purpose / should live. The
nuns wousl not find uc wholly use
less" Sister Euphemia seemed hurried
on in spite Of herself My machine
ran on through many long seasons"
She continued. "and all 'he while |
dreamed of bright silks and jewels and
cloth Of gold for the church, fair out
line took form in Imagination. 10 be
laid aside in my mental storehouse for
future use. The simple JOY of handling
those rainbow tints for God seemed to
me the browning glory of religeuse
life, and a little pride suggested that
some day / might take my place among
the nuns as the first embroiderer.
did you ever CRAFTY your bent?"
asked Hester, a quick understanding
and suspense disturbing her heart and
mind.
We'll. after we received the white
veil the novices were assigned certain
duties; and had no time for fancy work.
Then a great pile of habits needed
mending and making over. They were
given TO me. | did them all rapidly,
thinking a little fancy sewing might
be apportioned me. bus the cloaks
seemed to multiply" She said, with an
amused lighting of the face. some
way | got on faster than anyone else.
Reverend Mother was pleased, but
little fright seized me lest this should
go on indefinitely. Then hope urged,
lit is only a test for the novice: think
Of the years TO come when you will be
mistress of all those dazzling skeins;
but have been here ten years now and
no colored thread has ever strung my
needle" She finished with smile that
seemed angelic ia lis utter disclaimer
Of any complaint. Would Hester still
think them a limp and soulless com
munity? Was her illustration small
and weak TO the gay-liyed birding of
the world?
But Hester was speeches. with her
different emotions. Under such CON
ditions how could the nun thin her
voice to utter color!essness? and when
her listener was thrilling with resent
ment. Yes. they were terribly human,
and what vast proportions little de-
sire might assume within "a contract
ed circle.
why didn't they allow you a con-
genial employment. at least occasion
ally?" asked the girl Indignantly.
She could not stand such constraint for
herself Her impetuous nature would
tear down and toss right and left all
the Instructions in her way.
They did not know" was the sim
pie answer: I'VE are here 10 do our part,
and this is mine The other was only
my plan"
The folding doors swung back be-
tween the sewing and adjacent rooms,
and one of the order appeared in the
opening.
Come see our finished embroideries.
sister" invited the cold-faced nun.
You. too. Miss Hester" noting the Wis
itor
Hester glanced quickly al Sister Eu-
phemia. So She had known all the time
her enchanted palace lay just beyond
the folding doors. Already Sister Eu-
phemia's eyes were glowing over the
solar spectrum of tropical tints and
combinations that nagnetized her ar
tlstic sense; recollection of the Wis