The Irish standard., 1902-09-20
hands from the bars. Then SHE was


thrust aside.
Leaving the window. we went down
to the hallway. The commissioners
We're outside knocking at the door. In
a room off the vestibule stood the
members of the society to whom the
estate belonged, and in the vestibule
proper there We're three chairs occu-
pied by THE mother superior and her
two assistants. Your correspondent
asked permission to stand beside them.
The request was granted Noticing
me through the window, Commissions
Ell Moerdes said, "Open the dcor, or if
you don't, l will give the order to bat
ter it DOWN.
ANSWER, No.' said the mother SUI
pelfor. l obeyed.
Then a man, who was evidently Sc
lected from Gle of the worst social
| istic nests of the arsenal of Brest, ad,
vanced with a crowbar and began to
batter down the door. For ten min
utes he worked at it furiously. But
the doGr WAS too solid for him. In Il
rage the fellow struck THE window
with his crowbar and sent a shower
of broken glass among the sisters.
Open the door, shouted Moerdes,
1--WE are unable to open it,
''You find it more difficulty than to
knock down women with the butts O.
guns" was the answer which he re-
ceivetl. Then the work was resumed
and at last the door was broken down.
The commissioners entered and were
brought into the parlor One of them
sat down at Il table while the either
read the decree. On the right stood
the members of the council: on the
! left 4 company OF gelMlarmes and in
the centre the mother superior and her
two assistants. When the decree was
read the superior handed me sheet
of paper and asked me to give it to
Moerles.
'"Tho mother superior" said to him,
refuses to sign your process verbal, UNI
less you attach to it her protest in ex-
tenso." The protest was attached to
the document, and then the old sister
in a trembling hand and in large let
tiers such as one might find in the copy
books of the children whom she taught,
signed, "AIarie-Leontine Jestin."
Sister," said the commissioner,
"will you promise not to bring any
more convent teachers into this estab
lisllment?"
''No."
Then, addressing the members of
the administration, he said. "Gentle-
men. will You engage not to let your
property to any congregational teach
ers?"
"No."
''Well, sisters" said NIoerdes, 81
must proceed with the expulsion and
seal up the place."
The other sisters were sent for. They
all came down weeping like children
and carrying with them the poor little
relics which We're the only ornaments
of their cells. When they entered the
parlor the scene was dramatic. In Il
semi-circle they all knelt down in front
of the mother superior.
Before bidding you farewell" said
the old sister. Il wish to pray with
you all for tine last time and to give
YOU I'LL my blessing"
There was dead silence in that con-
vent parlor. But when the emaciatel
whit, hand of the sister was raised
fer the benediction, the stiffness was
broken by deep sob. I looked around
and noticed commissioned Of
ticer all in tears. He was utterly una
BILE to master his emotion. "My God!
My God"' he murmured as he rubbed
his eyes. .....
where do you wish to go. my sis
ters?' asked Commissioner Moerles
Il have orders to place myself at you'll
disposal for the execution of whatever
decision you may take
The mother superior looked at hin.
fer an instant straight in the eyes.
1--WE are going to our proper place. to
the church." SHE said.
Then all the nuns slowly moved out
and went to the church. The convent
was sealed.