Black Rainbow (34 page)

She put the yellowing papers in a neat pile to one side. Letters here, bills there, builders' catalogs. . . .
One last
document, a scrap of crumbling paper with what appeared to be a prayer written out by a devout Catholic owner. Jane glanced at it before adding it to the other papers. Such strange, yet beautiful names they had for the Mother of God____

Queen of Heaven, who inhabits the secret places of the woods, be propitious unto us. Mistress of life, white lady; shelter by spring and stone the sharers of thy peace. Virgin and Mother, sower of seed and bearer of fruit, accept our sacrifice so that we who serve you may be granted justice, and long life in the service of justice.