Elizabeth G. Jordan

“ To the blasé French there was a fascination in the contrast between the pure lips and the words that came from them, the gold cross always worn by her, and the eyes above it.
"Who is this 'Convent Girl' they re talking about?" an English woman of rank asked her husband. She did not visit the cafés chantants of Paris, nor did she read publications which would have told her what she asked. Her husband was very well informed on the subject.
"She is a woman who has the wickedest eyes in all Europe," he said, curtly.
The Convent Girl continued her swift swirling in the Paris whirlpool. ”

“ If they hesitate, you must talk to the Superior. Tell her that since this weakness has come upon me, I have had but one thought, one wish, day and night—to get home—to get home! Tell her I long for the peace and rest of the convent and—for the goodness of the Sisters. ”

“ The plan did not especially appeal to the quiet inmates of the cloister, but they had nothing better to suggest, except that she remain in its safe shelter with them. They did this only tentatively, for nuns are not prone to give such advice to their pupils. The gentle proposal did not appeal to Miss Randolph. She shook her auburn head, and her red-brown eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I must see life first," she laughed. "There is a big, beautiful world beyond these walls, and I want to know what it's like. ”

“ Her father had permitted her to spend her childhood and girlhood in the convent. At first this had been done in deference to the earnestly expressed wishes of a strong-willed second wife, but as the years went by he became so reconciled to the situation that even the girl's holidays were passed at the homes of classmates. Her father made her a liberal allowance for her expenses and felt that his duty was done. Her proposition to go out into the world and make a career for herself met with his lively approval.
She put the situation frankly before her friends the nuns. ”

“ But old friends fell out of the circle and new ones came, and it grew wider and also deeper. After a year or two "little Randolph" was no longer a novice to be counselled and advised. The "have beens" and the "might have beens" of the press and the stage caught her in their human eddies, and the undertow drew her down. She became a sophisticated young woman, learned New York pretty well on its gay side, talked about human nature, and thought she understood men and women. ”

“ The woman laughed bitterly.
"Die," she said, with savage directness. "All you doctors say I must. And soon, too. But I am going to do something first, and I have sent for you to help me. If I must die, I will not die here with these—people—around me. ”

“ The doctor parried the question.
"You are run down," he said. "Very much run down." She had to be told; half measures would effect little.
"That is why I have called you in," she retorted.
"Miss Randolph," he said, deliberately, "you are in a grave condition. You have a surprisingly small amount of vitality, your nerves are exhausted, and—your heart is seriously affected. You must give up all work at once, cancel all engagements, go to bed, and let yourself be taken care of."
"And if I refuse?" remarked the woman.
The doctor looked at her. ”

“ It is not much, but it is well invested, and will yield an income of eleven or twelve hundred dollars a year. That is almost a hundred a month, and I can go to New York and take singing lessons and live very comfortably on such an income. I must make a home and friends for myself somewhere, and I might as well begin there as anywhere. Later, perhaps, I may go to Europe, if my voice develops well. ”