The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-18

The Witch of Roseberry Topping !;
OR, THE HAUNTED RING.
n Legend of ihs North OF England.



[Conciuded.)
I When De Wilton opened his eyes il was yet
dark. His memory was like the trembling
wave-si was broken. indistinct. Images, re.
feciions. so disjonted, so confounded with
each other, that the phantasmats presented a
mass Of incoherent forms, without any clew 10
gather up and reconstruct their fragments
He felt that something horrible had taken place,
but could not represent its outline, in appalling
ception was the consciousness OF close and
| rent up atmosphere. with laborious breathing,
and sluggish earthly odour pcrvading his
poslrs. He stretched out bis hands-,hc on
ly object within his reach was the slippery
floor on which he appeared to have lain full
length. Gathering himself mp, he stood on his
feet. then moving few steps, he fancied heap
of collins arrested his progress. Fearful was
the first dawn Of memory that lighted upon
him. Was he immured Ia living inhuma-
ti"n-buried in some unknown vaul,.-sbat out
separated forever from his kind with the dead
Tor his companions, in whose likeness he musl
shortly appear flad he been et here TO per
ish by lingering and cruel death The
thought was madness. He dashed bis forehead
against the wall Of the dungeon. Ia one OF
these parosysms his clenched fingers grasped
he ring; the whole preceding train Of circum-
stances flashed suddenly upon him, That ae.
cursed witch had assuredly been the contriver
oi the mischief; he bitterly bewaled his folly,
his imprudence. He raved.-he expostulatcd
by turns, until his hrmness arising from well
regulated confidence, was restored. BY giving
up Tor lost, every chance Of escape would be
cut off, and he was determined to explore the
length and breadth Of his prison house. Il,
seemed TO be long narrow vault ony-with.
out any percsptiblc outlet Holding M his
hand faint but sudden flash from tho ring ar
rested bis attention. Was this ring. as the
witch darkly intimaied, charged with bi. des-
tiny, like those Of Eastern romance! Was one
OF the genii imprisoned in this fiery dungeon for
his special use aud protection No wonder
that in the present excited state Of his imaeina.
ton these improbabities found place, and
that he clung even to the glimmering Of hope
rather than the rayless despair which first as
sailed him. The ring was again dark--he rails
ed his hand when it flashed family as before :;
there was not gimmer visible from which this
could be the reflection. but it was just possible
from some source or another il had taken place.
Encouraged by this kindly omen. he considered
awhile, his eyes bent on the floor. Was he
deceived Ia ray Of light moved towards one
corner and DISAPPEARED. He looked up. and
presently brighter beam strcsmed through
crevice in the roof, and almost or ere he was
aware, the mysterious unknown stood before
him
He was dumb either with fear or wonder, yet
there was the same arch smile. playful bewith-
ing as before. Surely danger could not lurk
under so sweet form. Then he thought Of
the dead rotting in the cerements the foul in
carnatiou che assumed, and which, doubtless,
she could change as il suited her purpose. He
shruuk back as though her very form oxhaled
pollution. She held a lamp, aud, laying il on
the pile Of collins that he now saw, thus ad-
dressed him--
So, sir knight, am TO turn knight .errsn-
tress for thy deliversnce from spell, and incsu-
nations1
They tbs, hide can find.
Doubtless; and they that consult witches
and boges a, dead o. uight may expect some
pains for their trouble
'Peradventure tie witch wot Of stands re-
fore me.
Surely thy brains are gone witch finding.
or, It may be, eniirpste with sorcery aud ill.,
feeding.
Who art thou, being Of fear and mystery ?
Not so doleful. prithee! am poor stray
dsmsel, concerning whom there once went
forth most valorous aod puisssut knight. TO
ask council Of the witch Of Roseberry Top.
ping
And was no wiser FOR his pains said DE
Wilton. encouraged by her address Where
am I, kind dame =
Dost take me Tor a wneh,
Verify ] do, sod no spell but thine has
bound me
'Grsmmerey, art thou in love. air knight
lie sbuddered when no thought Of the witch,
whom he still suspected as one and the same
with the ineompreusibIe Thing in his presence.
Yet even witchery was divested Of half its tss-
ton wien he looked ou this beautiful mystery.
Tell me. ] prthee, unto what place thy wick.
ed arts bare conveyed me
Under the very foundation Of the abbey;
l.t r
vault Of the NssiIles therein
Horror again held him dumb. The reluctant
eonfessisn OF Sir John respecting the ring ~ss