The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-03-27
cross that hung there, and she. heayed
a deep, long sigh of dread.


cross that hung there, and she lieayed
a. deep, long sigh Of dread.
'Laudate, pneri Dominun." ane
sang in a quivering voice, and her.
breath whistled in her throat.
LET her alone; they sing that in
church, said the other, and at the.
command the evil hand slipped from
the nuns shoulder. The leader looked
back at the more promising spells in
the church, and moved to the grill
work. The other followed, looking
backwards with horrible, leering eyes
at the woman who sang timidly ON in
the ritual of her Order.
Twenty minutes more Of song,
twenty more moments of meditation,
and again twenty minutes of praise
and supplication, and the hour of the
office would be over. a
Boom, boomer, .boom-r-r-r sounded
terrible roar as the Prussian guns
fired and the fortress at Mazieres re-
sponded. But the door of the church
closed suddenly and the nun knew the
lplunderers had departed, and she sang
with a new relief. Twenty minutes
passed, and she ceased to sing and be-
gan the moments of meditation.
| Behind her she heard the click of
spurs on the stone floor of the chapel,
then heard saber rattle. Involun-
tarily Sister Mary Stanislaus turned
and saw tall, young officer moving
toward her; he wore the regimentals
of the French army, and he hurried
through the lane of wooden stalls I'M
seeing of aught but the woman before
the altar The quick blood flushed
red her cheeks as the nun gasped in
establishment:
Eugene! How did you enter,
Eugene?
Il forced the convent door. Why
are you here, Alys ?" Her eyes were
alight with joy in the sight of him as
she answered:
i obey, Eugene"
You must leave here at once,
Alys. The .Prussian, artillery have
their guns in position and the battle
! is on. You must come with me to
safety
Il must remain here, Eugene, for |
obey."
i looked for you, Alys," he said,
E"when l saw the Sisters march to-
Egether through the streets. / watched
them pass and scanned their ranks,
and when / surely knew you We're not
with them my heart sank in terror for
you. followed the Sisters to the
Hospital door, and stopped a young
lnun in her haste. The, Sisters will
have much to do to-day, and you are
all here?' l questioned subtly All
but one, she said, she remains to
Using the office Then knew, Alys,
knew who sang. l left my regiment
fand came to bring you to safety
Come with me" he commanded.
I mo, Eugene, / must remain" she
isaid, and she let the tones of her voice
embrace him with it's tenderness.
ooh, Alys, why could you not have
Eloved me?" he asked impetuously and
moved nearer to her and raised hel
hand to his lips.
Il did love you, Eugene, but LEFT
you for a higher love-
The sweetness of the love Of al
women for all time was in her voice
but her glance turned to the altar ant
raised 9t0i-thea cross that hung there
Eugene de Briefly laid compelling
hand Oh her arm. -
Come, let me save you, Alys!" h,
: implored her.
Not Alys now" she answered
| 'Not again Alys Lenoncourt, Eugene
! In religion, I am Sister Mary Stanis
laus." The young man looked defiant
| " in her face.
: 81 do not know that name. To M
Z you are. always Alys Lenoncourt.
: do not even see you in that rough
:: white robe. shall always see you a
when We parted in your satin gowl
and with jewels in your lovely hail
| loved your beauty, Alys; l love,
, you body and SOUL" @
IF you loved my soul, Eugene, g
from me, and leave me to my duty.
Il loved you then, I love you now
: and l never shall forget you" He too
the folds of her habit in his hand
and kissed it in sudden passion.
you must forget me, Eugene, / ar
3 a nun"
Crack! snapped the rifles, tn
mitrailleuses snarled in the air, an
] the cannon Numbered in the valley
From the fort at the end of the tow
] the fire was discovered. The nu
! turned swiftly to the man beside her.
why are you here, Eugene d
! Briefly? Why are you standing by
! woman's side while your soldiers figh
! without you? Where is your oath {
; obedience, Of service to your country
Is Eugene de Briefly afraid that h
), stays within the convent walls?'' Th
officer took both her hands in his.
Il do not even fear your scorn, Ally.
tell you come with me to safer!
and | tell you that if you remain here
!, then / shall remain here with you.'
A moment of weakness assaile
Sister Mary Stanislaus. 1t would b
2 sweet to surrender to his will;
= would be ecstacy to be with hir
4 awhile once more. To yield to hir
d in tenderness, and walk with hir
t under his dear protection the sho1
e way to the fortress would be joy sh
), had never thought to know agar
~