The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-10

went out again. The curate still sat there,
gazing meditatively at the greensward,
until he became aware Of another pres
ence. In the open arches opposite him he
dtscerned a figure through the antique
mullions, clad in a fashionable dress. Her
face was appraised in a prolonged appre-
citation OF the grandeur Of the architect
ure, which IS nowhere more picturesque
than in the view obtainable through the
silence and gloom Of the cloisters.
But he was Intent on the architecture
no longer, the strains of Mendelssohn
ceased to haunt his ears; all he was
aware OF now was q keenly human and
strangely unaccountable interest in the
Bolitary lady whose face was framed
under the trefoils and quatrefoils of the
old incrusted tracery. 1t was her face
mingling with the stern shadows and
dark holdings that now made those
hoary flowers of stone blossom into new
life
Although unconscious of the interest he
took IN her, his eyes instinctively follow
ed her as she passed along the cloisters
from arch to arch, pausing now and again
TO contemplate through the lacework of
GOTHIC stone some weather-worn cross or
the grotesque fancy which some monlxish
sculptor had wrought in gargoyle or fini-
al. He watched her pass the door of the
uansept. 1t was locked. He heard her
endeaVors upon the clanking iron, heard
her light footballs as she again descend
ed into the cloister and saw her approach
ing the arcade, where she sat obscure
in the shadow
He rose and went toward her.
The door by which I entered is lock-
ed" she said. will you tell me the way
Out?"
Through the south gate" he replied,
studying her face attentively. 'I will
show you. Come"
10 II
and tried to turn the lock- 1.-The gate
is closed" he said, land the other, too.
Then 1 fear
I'VE are locked in?" she exclaimed,
RnXiously.
Il don't know. have never been in
the cathedral before. I came here to the
festival"
co." she rejoined, ''has It not been
Elorious-superb-ma
Superb, you say. Yes, and magnif-
cent. Never have 1 heard Mendelssohn's
LYNN of Praise so finely rendered. But
one thing is lacking
What was that?"
Devotion, religion, the sense of sac
fitce, the presence of the spirit of God"
Il know your meaning" she responded.
earnestly THE monks of old, when they
Chanted early mass. while the common
Workday people knelt on the bare stone.
remained to pray and to penance, or
went to fast
True! And where have all these tick
et-holders gone?-to dance and to dine"
His lip curled contemptuousIy.
Yet, after all, we would not wish the
middle ages back again." she reflected.
1.-The superstition-the iniquity-"
Il heard her." he continued, inconse-
quently, yet continuing the same thought
on another line. ''That beautiful SOP .anO
Her voice was like an angels"
She finished nd
moved uneasily.
Can we not get outT she asked.
I'VE must find a door," he stammered.
EXCUSE my-ny abrupt confidence. In
truth, am under her spell. But listen.
know my folly. Whose is this voice?
Her name was in the programme-Luini
1t was Luint, singer, probably at the
opera; a certain draw with the aid, per-
haps, of a ballet. AS likely as not she
plays the heroine IN Don Giovanni
She does nothing Of the kind" said
the lady, fatty.
"Ha! You know her thenT'
''No-yes. At least, that is" she stano-
merea, blushing, II know something of
her"
Il recognize you" he exclaimed sud-
denly. Your voice is hers. You are
you must be Luini"
BE 1t so,'' she replied; 'but tell me
why are the clergy so hard upon the
singer? Do you know what I thought
in that old, hallowed choir? AS YOU do.
If could live in an age when we women
might be servants Of the sanctuary-or-
dained to the Most High. If I might
so devote myself to service-ahi how
could sing thenl'
He stood electrified.
but am a woman" she added sadly.