Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-12

| SoiuSiiuS lace uiSpidycu. but TIC
latter construed his smile in different
sense. He thought he saw in it the re-
joicing treachery of murderous inten-
ton: He shrank back, and turned his
head round with the view of flying
from the place, when he observed two
men dressed in black, with naked
swords in their hands, who had follow
ed silently, and made retreat impossi-
BILE. They said, with an encouraging
expression of countenance, 'fear no.
thing, citizen; this is but preparation
for thetest ofyour courage and virtue. >
GO Do not hesitate nor doubt me,
whispered Armand:) be firm, or you
are lost
81 With these words he knocked at a
door before them, and on his replying
still in whispers to some questions from
within, it opened, and he and Cornelius
once admitted, it closed again, with a
sudden sound, that was like the echoing
sentence of eternal Imprisonment.
Three men of fierce aspect sat at
a table; their looks glanced wildly
through their raven locks, and seemed
to tell story Of ferociouS thoughts and
deeds. The chamber was, like the ap-
proaches to it, family lighted and sadly
adorned. A book lay on the table, with
writing materials. Three or four dag
gers were its only other furniture, and
their blades were stepped in blood.
GA few rapid questions were proPo-
sed to Armand, as the name, age, and
quality of the friend whom he thus in
trodueed for admission to the society.
These answered, and entered in the re-
gister, which lay on the table, Cornell
us was asked ifhe was ready to give
his first proof ofhis patriotism, his de
votion to tie cause of freedom, and
his hatred Of his foes. He answered
in the affirmative ; and then it was de-
manded of Armand whether he was
willing to set the example to his friend
of the deed which he would be called
upon to perform. Armand replied
that he was, and OH the word, Curtain
was drawn, wniriI diocioSsd n cave still
darker than the other, from the undis-
tinguishable depths of which low
groans was heard to proceed. They
became gradually louder, and finally
blood-stained couch was brought for
ward by two men, and on which lay
bound another, writhing in apparent ag-
ony.
I" Take the dagger, brother, (said
the president in hollow yet fierce tone)
Take the dagger, and strike the Arts
tocrat to the heart
"Armand seized the weapon, and
advanced towards the couch. The
man who lay on it, and who seemed
suffering under the infection OF tor
ture, no sooner saw the uplifted wea-
non. than he uttered ashriek, which
seemed 10 pierce Cornelius's heart,
and screamed aloud for mercy
"' No mercy for the Aristocrat-no
hope for the Royalist, (cried Armand0
blood, blood, in the name OF our coun-
try and ourrevenge!' and with the last
word he struck the dagger full against
the suppliant's breast. A stream OF
blood followed the weapon as he drew
it back-a deeper groan issued from
the body, and both executioner and VIC
tim were instantly concealed by the
black curtain which fell between them
and the witness of the deed.
"Cornelius stood shocked with aston
;shment and horror. A few minutes OF
dreadful silence passed over when the
curtain was slowly raised, and the mute
attendants carried forth dead body,
the poignard fast in its bleeding bo-
som. They passed the door, and Cor,
nelius's heart sunk as he heard the dead
weight of the corpse fall on the ear
then floor.
"The couch was again brought for
ward, and on it lay another man, appar-
emily more exhausted or more tlrm
than the first, for he only heaved heavy
signs, and but half turned his pailld
face, and scarce open eyes, with indiifer'
ence or insensibility on the scene.
"sNow, citizen, take the dagger and
rid the country of one enemy more, es-
establishing your right to her gratitude
and our confidence. Take upthe dag
GER cried the president.
Cornelius in the abstraction OF ter
ror, seized the weapon-advanced as II
were instinctively towards the couch
raised his arm while his brain reeled
but started in instantaneous recollec-
ton Of the scene before him and OF the
deed he was about to commit he
dagger was falling from his hand, when
the PROSTATE man called to him IN
smothered whisper, inaudible or unno,
ticed by the persons at the taoie, aho
the mute attendants, Strike fearlesly
Cornelius-Itis /, Armand-there Is
no reality in your blow; ! wear cors'
lIet, and your dagger's blade runs up IN
| to its own hilt.-strike
"A quick conviction flashed across
Ieornelius's mind. He saw all was q