The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-02

ed last, and seated himself near me. Then,
stranger" said he, a. you must see them 20
"Remember your oath. old man." was my re-
ply. "Then, pass round and take the veil
from off each face, behold them !" went
each veil was lifted from the face IT conceal
ed-from one TO another passed. saw The
beauteous eye and silken lash, the carmiue
cheek, which blashed at my assurance. On
went, until the last | raised the screen
which shielded her from my gaze-alas |! |
saw not Isabel! Chagrined and disappoint-
ed, turned to the abbot--"Tell me, old man,
are these all 7" aSavei," said he, rising, " If
| had wished. to break my solemn VOW, no,
one of these wells would ever have been soil
ed with thy touch; this hand would have
turned the bolt which bars the entrance to this
hall, and you, Saveli, would have been doom
ed, here to be gnawed with famine, until your
tenement yielded up the spirit which il held.
Believe me, then, that !, who have done thus
much to fulfil my oath, will not deceive thee.
Retire." said he, waving his hand-ihe nuns
left us alone. "Old SIRE" said ], advancing
to him, " can you tell me OF any other con-
vents about these mountains 2" "Ask me
not" said he; Saveli, for forty years have
/ remained within these walls, and scarce has
yon sun beheld my iace-bul. bark the ves-
per-bell calls to prayers. Will you remain
till morn 7" Nay, must be gone" said |,
bowling farewell.
The guide conducted me to the gate.
" Stop" said |, "tell me, do you know Of a
convent, near or remote !" Il do Go on
until you find where two paths lead up
steep; then take The right" said the old monk,
:" will lead you TO the convent Of ST. Marie
but, STOP" said he, as bowed to say good
night : stranger, not far will you proceed
along this path before you come upon mar
row pass-so narrow as scarce to hold your
foot-beneath you is the pit Of destruction, if
you fall. Ii is called The Pass Of DEATH
and many a poor wretch has found a grave
below. Saveli, beware! When you arrive,
look not behind you, nor down the cavern be-
meath, but rush forward, and all will be well.
Alas, Saveli if you presume to cast an eye
below, your fate is sealed; for then the brain,
intoxicated, whirls round, and, maniac-ike,
the victim plunges in the vortex Of his doom
Now, have done my duty, farewell" left
the convent, and FASTENED onward to find the
path he directed me to take, and which led to
the ST. Marie. | found it, and had scarce
gained single mile before came to the spot
Of which the monk had warned me. The
moon had already risen, and her bright beams
flashed on my armor as passed On hur-
ried; nor had gained half that narrow pass
ere heard before me the sound OF footsteps.
"Who's there :" said |, in voice which
echoed and re-echoed beneath me. "Who's
there :" exclaimed again, sezing my sword
Pause, and retreat" continued |, as my
sword cleaned in the moonlight before me.
On came the step-I saw his dim form, as
swilter hurried-his steel, too, he held be-
fore him. Retreat" said he, "or else thy
blood be on thee !" " Stranger" said |, ''this
is the Pass of Death'-now for our HueS p
We met Thrice clashed our steel in VEN
geance. The last and fatal stroke, had stag
gered him-he slipped his hold down, down
he plunged! On, swiiter still, hurried. nor
dared to look behind, no more than if ten
thousand furles had been let loose, hot on my
heels. | heard his sounding steel bound on
the rocks below, ere yet his li(eless corse had
ceased to fall heard his last sad wall
borne on the ascending breeze! On, still |
fled; and yet it seemed as if his names, at
every step, shrieked vengeance! | gained
the retreat Of safety, but sunk exhausted and
overcome with the dread recollection Of the
scene and danger had passed. And even
yet it seems, at every breath, as if hear his
wall, and the sad sound of his falling steel!
The next morning reached the convent Of
st. Marie. gained entrance, and found that
my dear Isabel had died, broker. hearted
Yes-she had expired Come" said the
abbot, kindly. ago with me to the grave"
My steps refused obedience-I could not 60
was rent with the deep pangs Of wo. "Tell
me-" said |, half mad with anguish, lis she
dead 7" $ Isabel is no more. On her dying
bed she gave me this ring said he, " and on
it see a name, sSaveli.' She said il was her
bridal ring, and babe me keep it for ever, I'M
less could see him whose name it bears"
"Good heavens 1T is too true !! Isabel
is no moren' | snatched the ring and rushed
from the convent-the abbot followed, fearing
l might harm myself
Come" said he, again, let us 60 to her
grave"
Slowly followed him, and gazed on the
spot which held all on earth dear to me. |
could not weep; for grief, deep, overwhelm-
| felt TINT to have persisted at the .Pass of
f" Be quiet, Saveli," said my kind conductor.
/" Did you not meet stranger in your path %
"With arms what--who' Speak, old
man-for heavens sake, speak ~ We'll,
then, he was brother of Isabel, returning to
bear the sad tidings to her father" "Oh,
~ exclaimed, in agony. Can it be so
Then have slain my best and only remain
ing friend ! Shade Of my loved Isabel, pray
for me, that thy brothers. blood shrek not for
ever in my ear for vengeance !"
"This," said Saveli, :" was the last | re-
member. For the six months following,
lost my reason ; and, when recovered. found
mys,l If, by the kindness of that abbot, removed
to Milan, where at length joined the army
OF Padulpho.' .' T.. NJ. S. 8.