Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-10-11


with dungeon if returned. The migrate!
will deprive her of the titles and the riches Of which
she is so proud"
GAS would not give credit to his threats, he re-
lated to me that his wife was the nurse Of Count
D'Ern's daughter that the infant had died he alone
having knowledge of the fact that he had substitu-
ted you his own child in the cradle of the young
Countess, who was dead, and that you had been
brought up and married US the daughter Of the |
Count D'IIrin He has furnished me with numer-
Gus and credtable proofs Of his fraud
"This secret once known, the Lord of Clairma- |
rails will hasten TO repudiate v1ssal, the daughter
Of an gnoble hind who has deceived him"
The lady wrung her hands in despair.
"Llslen," continued Hrlaemer, lowering bis
voice yet more but speas,Ag distinctly that his
listener lost not syllable Of his discourse, 'lisen
tho old man wrapped ia his mantle, sleeps at the
posern-this dagger
"My father"
"-No, you are, right" replied Brudomer, with
quiet irony, "who knows? They may perhaps adj
nit you among the tirewomen Of the new bride of
the Lord of Clairmoros. AT the worst you may
but be condemned to convent"
The lady suddenly started up, signed TO her wo-
men in prohibition of their following her, and CIV
ing her hand to Drudcmer, they took their way toI
the postorn together.
After having pursued the amusement Of the chase
all day, the Lord Of Clairmaras turned his foot
steps towards the warm hearth, and the side Of his
beautiful dame, whittier his wishes now earnestly
| fastened him.
So eager was he to arrive, that he had left his
attendants somewhat behind him. when suddenly
his horse refused to advance, reared and exhibited
signs of great alarm. The old lord was forced to
dismount, wben what was his grief and surprise
the foster-father of his wife lay there, extended
motionless, with CHASTITY wound in his breast.
The attendants gathered around him, and RENE
dies were instantly applied which proved not inef-
fectual. lie opened his eyes, raised himself with
great effort, and applying his mouth to the ear OF
! the Lord of Cairmarais, he murmured with fall
tering voice some words which caused the Castel-
Ian TO shudder with horror. He fell back and eX-
pired.
The old lord, without uterng word, proceeded
Immediately to the oratory, where he found his wife,
Her brow co!ored with deadly pallor, she was
seated before a small table, and the better to con-
cca her dreadful agitation, she affected to be play
ing game OF chess with Brudemer.
The latter upon beholding the Lord of Clair
marais, uttered shout of horrible laughter. The
lady partook of this exec1able hilarity-such u
laugh could only be extorted by the most terrible
suffering.
The Lord of Clairmarais no longer doubted his
calamity; for up to this moment he would not give
credit to the crimes of which the dying old man
had accused the lady. " Satan" cried he, over
whelmcd with Indignation and despair, "Satan, |
abandon TO thee the parrcide, the fathess wife,
and the castle which she has proaned by her pres
cuce."
81 accept the Offering" said Brudemer-und at
the same moment crown Of fire fiickered around
his head, and upon the snowy shoulders of the lady
he laid two terrible hands armed with hellish talons.
More than two hundred years had passed since
the Lord of Clairmaras had died in the odor of
sanctity in the Abbey Of Saint Bertin when fri
ar of the order of Saint Benost inquired Of resi-
dent of Saint Omer the name of q forest surround
ed by immense marshes.
lad, and tbo o;,ts lia1
the townsman, devoutly crossing himself. 1t is
the castle of Cairmarais, an accused spot haunt
ed by Satan. Every night it is illuminated with a
sudden blaze-every night the Devil and | know
not whA other apparitions, beake themselves thith-
er in their fiery chariots
IF we are to believe the old people, the Dem
on who nhabits the castle is named Brudemer, and
he forces those foolish persons who venture thther
to play at chess, stalking their souls against the do
main, and all the treasures it contains. You can
readily imagine that no one has yet been able to
overcome the Devil, and that consequently no one
, has ever returned from Clairmarais."
The monk listened in silence and after u few
moments reflection, he proceeded with firm steT
C towards the diabolica castle. He encountered nc
obstacle, and forthwith established himself in an
oratory richly furnished, where he perceived Q
: small table on which were placed a chess-board
: and the various pieces Of the game.
+ While the monk examined these objects which
the increasing darkness began to render somewha
: indistnct, a vivid light suddenly illuminated the
oratory and at the same instant he was surrounded
], by crowd Of servants of pages, and trewomen
i clothed in an antique fashion All performed thel
various duties in silence their very footsteps being
naudbe,and yet more marvellous, their forms cas-
s. no shadow when they passed before the light.
Soon afterwards there slowly approached Lor
N richly apparelled, who bore emblazoned on hi
re doublet in armora guise shield with two fork
Ie sable, with this device, Brudemer." On his arr
h. leaned femalcst young, whose lovely counte
Of nance was covered with a mortal paleness, Will
er eight pages followed, bending beneath the weigh
a of four heavy Golfers filled with gold.
Brudemer placed himself at the chess table, an
8, signed to the monk to be seated opposite The LAT
re ter obeyed, and the two commenced playing witt
ic out exchanging work
u BY skilliul combination, the monk believed TIT
er he had given mate to his adversary, when the pal
q lady, who had remained behind Brudemer, leanin
H. upon the back of his huge chair, bent TOWARD
him and pointed with her finger to n pawn. I'll
IN face Of the game was at once changed, and Il
en- monk now found himself in danger Of being val
ot pushed.
1t At this turn of affairs, Brudemer and the Lao
he burst into peals Of laughter while the rest of II
ed gh1stly occupants Of the oatory who had groupC
g. themselves around the combatants joined in tn
ne fearful reyelry, which no human language can d
ii scribe.
it The monk began to repent of his tementy-
ng cold sweat bathel his forehead, and he would ha
on piven the world TO have been at that moment sa
he in his convent. Neyertheless,he did not despair
the divine goodness, and mentally invoked Il
it blessed patron, st. Benoist, for a miracle alol
= could extricate him from his dangerous position.
aid Suddenly, and by celestial inspirations he pc
led ceived that new combination could still secu
ny to him the game, and he pushed forward the pay
tie which accomplished it, when the shouts of laug
ter which echoed around him were changed in
mt terrific yells, and then he heard and saw noth
his more.
not The monk having passed the entire night
! prayer, at length hailed the approach of day wi
- a joy that can easily be imagined He found
We the place occupied the evening before by the pa
till lady, skeleton covered with the fragments Of ri
female garb
ner Remaining the undsputed possessor of the CT
tie, and the wealth it,contained, he caused me
rom astery to be erected on the unhallowed spot,
W.T. was appointed the superior. At present but Z