Year: 1879

hob hhOW WncTt Il went, Dub Wthb w
the Sisters of Notre Dame, in M. Street.
After few weeks started for home in
company with some of them who were
coming to America. They went to Bal
timore, and l came here. o mother i
can scarcely tell you why L left Mrs.
Burkhardt. did not dream that peo-
pie could be so wicked. She told me a
horrible story-made me believe that L
was talked about terribly in Paris, and
that the same scandals were repeated
here and in London, so that it was
doubtful If good people would speak to
me. 1t was all false, mother, and it
was all to get me to marry Clarence. l
was wild, of course. thought that
was ruined, and l did not know what
was to become of me. / did not know
that you even would receive me. The
morning after they told me | went to
mass, and after mass was over went
to Father st. Hilaire, and told him the
whole.


e 1t was he who first assured me that
there was no such scandal, that it was
a plot to make me marry Clarence. He
told me not to go back to them-that
| people who could do such a wicked
thing would not stop there. So 1 went
directly to the convent, and came home
as L told you"


"My poor lamb !" said the nun com
passionately. at was hard, but, thank
oI fri la t,I n 60
How much happier you are than many
who can never prove their innocence
And yet, not happier; for blessed are
those who are slandered, even as he was
slandered. In this season, when we
commemorate his suf1erings, thank him
that you also have your cross to unite
with his. You are welcome, my dear to
your old home. Have you been to the
| Hall ?"


NO." Rose sighed. 81 wanted to
come to you first"


The superior smiled, and bent to kiss
the pale cheek of the speaker


You do not forget us, DEAR" said
she. Neither have we forgotten you.
Every day we remember you in our
prayers, and at mass you are named
among our benefactors.n


:" 1t is SO sweet to hear the dear old
pious talk again !" Rose said, smiling
family through her tears. have got
to feel as though trouble was terrible
thing, which must be run away
from"


"You are fasting ?'' the superior
asked.


Why, yes, surely, mother ~ sur
prised that such question should be
asked her in Holy Week.


The mother smiled.


But shall not allow it, she said ;
"you are too weak. Do you remember
you came to me fasting when first you
came, and l persuaded you to eat? Now
/ am going to command it. You came
to me then, also, in tears"


Rose took in hers the hand that had
been caressing her hair, and pressed it
to her lips.


You were ever my consider J" said
she fervently.


And in speaking brighter color
bloomed into her cheeks.


Easter Sunday was near the first OF
April, and the weather was unusually
warm. All the gardens of Saxon were
full of green and bloom, and the grounds
of the Hall were superb. Rose had re-
mained closely at the convent until after
Easter, and had not announced her re-
turn, having fancy to give Mrs. Cool
idge surprise. But on the evening OF
Easter Monday she sent for close car
riage, and was driven to the entrance
gate of her domain.


Wait for me at the next street" she
said to the driver; " and don't go away,
though should not return for two or
three hours"


1t was about sunset, and she walked
slowly up the avenue. Some new life
began to stir in her. She recollected
that she was at home, on her own
ground, and that every one there was a
friend or dependent. Surely she had
nothing else to fear. And yet they were
happy enough without her, they had
not needed her. While she had been
weeping and moaning in a foreign land,
her trees had budded and blossomed,
daisies and dandelions and violsts had
laughed out all over her land, and the