m, with heads erect and graciously acknowledging
the bows of the neighbors, Hormisdas Frechette and his wife walked
down the narrow crooked road leading to the church.

The overcast sky looked burdened with snow, and the leaves rustled
complainingly as they were ground beneath the feet of those hurrying
to witness the honor about to fall upon the house of Hormisdas
Frechette. Sweet to the old man was the moaning of the wind as it
jostled the barren trees, while the ungarnished landscape seemed
fairer to him this day than ever before even in harvest time.

As the aged couple entered the church, with its many pictures of
saints and its gorgeous towering altar, the organ began to play
softly. Presently the narrow door near the altar slowly opened, and
four nuns, in black array, with clasped hands and bowed heads,
repeating a psalm of renunciation, entered the church. Following them,
arrayed in a spotless white veil which fell to her feet, came she who
had saved a soul from unbelief. Eagerly the congregation bent forward,
anxious to catch a glimpse of her whom the bishop had promised to
honor. To be a sister of the convent of the Sacred Heart! She knew not
how many envied her.

With closed eyes and radiant face sat farmer Frechette, repeating
prayers of thanksgiving. She who had given birth to such a daughter
praised the Virgin that she had known the pangs of motherhood.

The sweet face had lost all its roses. Her eyes were downcast as she
walked up to the altar; but that was as it should be, with one who was
about to renounce the pleasures of the world, and whose eyes evermore
must humbly seek the earth.

Just as she was repeating her final vows, one who had told himself a
thousand times that he would not witness the ceremony, drove rapidly
down the road, and halted some little distance from the church near
the convent. Just as he reached the door of the church he saw Father
Sauvalle solemnly raise both hands and bless her.

With set lips he went back to the buggy, and stood behind the horse
in a position which he thought would prevent him from being seen.
Eagerly he watched the door, and his heart beat furiously as he saw
the four dark-robed nuns step from the church and wait for their new
sister. At last she came, with hands clasped and head bowed so very,
very low. The nuns divided, formed around her, and then began the walk
to the convent, near where the silent figure still waited, screened by
the horse.

Just