Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-03-09


he had just heard. Putting two and two
together, bearing In mind the fact that
the senor's description Of his beautiful
customer Tailed exactly with that given
of the so-called Pauline Mailing by Jack
Dornton, and that the photograph taken
by CASTELAR, was afterward found in that
Iady's possession, his belief in the Inn
posture was naturally strengthened, and
his Impotence to visit the grave and
see for himself the evidence of his niece's
death increased every moment. At last
he heard the convent bell strike six,
and, with feeling of relief, he rose
and went downstairs.
He found the senior waiting below,
looking triumphant, but cautious. There
were several lOungers about, and Mr.
Uallett and CASTELAR, passed through
the room and out of the house without
exchanging a word.
But, once safely outside, the senior,
who was trimming over with pleasant
Belf-importance, rapidly unfolded the
plans which the servant and he had con-
cOcted for Mr.. Mallett's admittance to
the convent burying ground.
II shah point out the gate by which
monsieur will enter; after that the rest
mnst depend on monsieur's sagacity and
on the exactness with which he carries
out my directions. The servant would
have nothing to do with you directly; but
she will arrange matters so that you can
enter the cemetery by yourself and OBJ
tain view of the tomb, But monsieur
will envelop himself In my accomplices
cloak, and if he is seen from the chapel
windows, they will conclude it is hut one
hn afu q, i
to gather herbs from the garden which
Hes beyond"
Then followed a list Of directions to
which Mr. Mallett paid the closest atten-
ton; and, as the old SDaniard conclud-
ed, they came within sight Of the Con
vent of the Holy Assumption. A sub
stanttal stone wall eight feet high in
closed 1t on all sides, and on the east
front were massive iron gates boarded
high above the line of sight to shield the
sacred precincts from the vulgar gaze.
Further on, on the west side, was a very
small wicket, almost hidden under the
masses Of ivy that hung half way to the
ground. This door was the one used
by the lay sisters when doing their err
rands, and a covered way led from it into
the main entrance hall. The main gate
was ANNSA VpOuGu except IOE funerals
Of the village.
The bells were still ringing for yes
pers as Mr.. Msllett reached this half
hidden little gate, and, according to di-
Fections from Oastellan-whO was lurk-
ing among the brushWood-he gave a
low, quick triple knock three times over
and then waited with his eyes ON his
watch until Eve minutes had passed.
he kaITa
the moment agreed on and he pushed
the door gently; 1t yielded, and the next
moment he found himself In the dim light
Of a long, narrow passage
He stopped and lifted a snuff colored
garment that lay at his feet. 1t was a
huge cloak, like a sisters. He wrap
ped himself In the capaclOus garment,
carefully drawing the hood we'll over his
head. Having taken off his boots, he
went stealthily along the passage, across
a large stone tagged entrance hall, and
passed out Of what he had been told was
the main entrance into the Enclosure be-
yond He paused here a moment and
looked about him attentively. In a line
with him stood the chapel on the extreme
right, the door of which was open; and
he saw the backs of the sisters as they
u
CLEAN Of gorgeous color as the clear
evening light fell through the east win
dow upon the Vestments of the priests
at the high altar, and a faint odor of
incense crept out upon the air. He drew
the hood still closer over his beard and
crossed the open space to the other side
Of the chapel Here he had to pass
whole line of windows, and the profiles
- L.. "A -
now shortened his stride and dropped his
shoulders the better 10 perform the part
he was assuming, and passed on with
out glance to the right or to the left.
As soon az the windows were passed he
raised his head and looked round again.
He was at the edge Of the burying
ground, and over In the extreme corner
under the walls he saw the stone he
had come In search Of. he recognised
Il by the semi-ciroular tOp-there was
not another like It in the inclosure-
and his heart QUicksned a little as he
picked his way across the graves.
The sunset sky had changed from Grim
son to saffron, from saffron to a clear
psarly gray, and still the brown cloak
stood motlonless before the headstone in
the far corner Of the convent grave
yard.
Mr. Mallett had received q shock that
entirely banished his prsoonceiVed ideas;
and the new beliefs that crowded upon
him were so conflicting and confusing
that for time he was overwhelmed with
perplexity.
pauline Polling. Died May 20, 1S-."
he read the simple inscription over
and over again; the more he pondered
Il the less he understood how 1t was
that ne had been deeoyed BY fate into
al,ln Arrihlaaa innrnan-