The San Francisco call., 1905-04-30
CHAPTER XIV.
The Summons.

Seated amid the dahlias, Teresa,
from speculation as to what had re-
called Gordon to the casa, drifted into
long day-dream from which sud-
den sound awoke her.
Several troopers passed along the
roadway; following were two closed
carriages. While she listened the
wheels seemed to stop.
1T is the moth superior come from
Bagnacavello." she thought. AS she
sprang up, she heard old Elise calling.
Slipping the Romeo and Juliet into
her pocket, she went hastily into the
house.
Five minutes later she stood dumb
ana white before three persons in the
villa parlor. Two were nuns wearing
the dress of the order of st. Ursula.
The other she had recognizable had
visited her father in his illness-as
chaplain to the Cardinal of Ravenna.
A letter bearing the papal arms, drop
ped from her hand, lay at her feet.
What it contained but one other in
Ravenna besides the cardinal knew:
that was the military commandant who
had furnished the ecclesiastic his es-
cort of troopers disposed outside the
villa, and who at that moment WAS
walking on another Grand, straight to-
ward musket, filed half down, wait
ing on a casa roof.
I'VE must start without delay, Con-
tessa.'' The clericaPs voice fell half
compassionately The villa and it's
servants remain at present under the
vice-lsgate's care. By direction, moth
ing may be taken with you save suita-
BILE apparel for the journey. We go
only as far as Forli tonight"
Teresa scarcely heard. Haste
when such a little time before she had
been so happy. Haste-to bid fare
well now TO the world that held him?
In her fathers death she had met the
SURPRISING but natural misfortune of
bereavement. This new blow brought
a terror without presage or precedent.
that seemed TO grip her every sense.
The convent of Saint Ursula! Not
home such as she had known at Bag
nacayallo, d free abode of benighted
phantom-f footed monitors. but a forced
retreat, prison, secret and impreg-
nable.
What could she do? What could she
do? The question pealed in her brain
as she answered duly, conscious all
the time of a stinging sense of detail;
the chaplain facing her; the silent re-
ligieuses beside him; the wrinkled face
OF Elise peering curiously from the
had. out OF doors goldening sunlight.
NEIL VOICES COHNcfSiDS dHQ lHe
stamping of horses hoofs. Not even to
see him--to tell him!
AS she climbed the stair mechani-
cally, kind Of dazed sickness In her
limbs, she pictured Gordon's return
ing at the hours end to find her gone
forever She sat down, her hands
clenched. the nails striking purple cres-
cents in the palms, striving desper-
ately to think. If she could escape.
~ 10 W.T.
stood smoking d short pipe at the
rear of the villa. She went to the
staircase and called, 'sElise,"
A nun ascended the stair. The SER
wants are receiving his Eminences s
Instructions" she explained. Pray
let me help you."
Teresa began to tremble. She
thanked her with an effort and auto
matically set about selecting a few ar
ticles Of clothing. The apathy OF hope
Iessness was upon her.
The cha plain stood at the foot OF
the stair when they descended. See
ing him waiting. the sharper pain re-
swept her. Only TO bridge that time
Ito see Gordon again. If but for an
instant, before she went. She stopped.
searching his face.
Il should like a little while alone
before 1 go. There is time for that.
is there not ?"
His grave face lighted. the authori-
tative merged instantly In the fatherly
solicitude of the shepherd of souls.