The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-05-26

old style His companion reiterated hi,
assurances that no living being save him
self would be in the castle and, with an
invitation to breakfast at his house in
the morning, badc him good night Mr.
E. attended him to the door, double
locked and chained it after him. and then
ascended to his own apartment, which he
also carefully locked and secured lie
certainly was situated very pleasantly
The rain now came down in torrents. but
the tremendous peals of thunder above
him. and the vivid flashes of lightning
which occasionally pierced their way
through the heavy damask curtains, only
so much the more enhanced the value of
his comfortable retreat. and made his feel
ings those of unminglcd satisfaction. A
bright fire blazed on the old-fashioncd
hearth, and two wax candles stood light
ed on an elegant inlaid table beside it..
The room was richly furnished in an
antique style,and the luxurious couch, to
one tired as he was. looked extremely in
viting to rcposc. But the inclination to
sleep had quite left him, and strange
had superseded all his for
mer almost overpowering wearinesA. Sew
cral noble paintings by the great masters,
Guido and Da Ninci, adorned the walls,
one of which was beautiful picture Of
the Virgin and Child, representing Him
while yet the radiant brow was unpicrc-
ed by thorns ere the delicate fair check
had been subjected to the blow of the
smiter, or the Prayer of prayers had been
gaspcd by those cherub lips Upon
these he muscd for an hour or So and
then, according tohs usual custom. Open
ed his pocket Bible, and read and medi-
tated until his excitement passed away
and sacred calm gradually settled upon
him
Suddenly his attention was aroused bv
a singular commotion in the room below.
Heavy tables was dragged about. dishes
and glasses ratified. chairs violently push
ed hither and thither. doors slammed. and.
i'll short. he heared every noise attendant
upon the laying out ofan extensive table
This unaccountablc uproar continued un-
abatcd for about half an hour. when all
at once. the place became hushed as the
grave. Soon after, a slow. heavy step be-
gan to ascend the stairs Could his host
have deceived him For a time he
doubted his truth. The ominous step
continued to ascend near it drew. and
still nearer, until it stopped at his door
Three sullpn knocks
Mr. = paused moment, and then
asked,
"Whos there ~
a hollow voice replied
" Tile muster aca',ts yo@ dorm to sup
per i"
" Excuse me,'if you please cannot
go down"
The dull, heavy step descended the
stairs, and entered the hall below Mr.
E began to conjecture that band
of forgers or smugglers had made the
place their abode, and, being aware of
To rnuTr 'poitUl rir pr az, 10 raauhN LINZ y,
lence. His sensations were becoming
very unenviable but the pause was brief,
for again he heard the step ascending if
possible, heavier and slower than before,
and again the three sullen knocks were
given.
What do you want ~
" 1Hc master w0ntS you downto SIp
per p
Tell him l have already supped, and
do not wish for more" replied Mr.. E
alarmed at his pertinacity.
The step departed as before, and ht
distinguished angry voices in loud debate
below. Were their designs hostile, how
could he hope to escape2 Egrcss unper
ceivcd. was utterly impossible 1t is Gu
rious to note, in cases of emergency, how
many plausible schemes will present them
selves to the mind, which, in placid mo
ments, were never drcamt Of So man,
plan did he revolvc in a minute, bu
to put one of them in execution was on
of the question lie was prisoner, am
clearly in the clutches Of his enemiesfo
such they must be. His heart sank lik
lead as his thoughts reverted to his quie
happy home where the beloved ones wer
probably at this very time joyously eS
pecting him, but who, mayhap, shoul
never behold him more
The third time he heard the dreadc
foot approaching, so heavy every foot-fa
now. that they smotc ON his ear like car
non-balls. The three sullcn knocks ,
gain
"What do you want. that You persi'
in thus disturbing me ?" demanded Nj
=, loudly.
" Tile mqstcy ,eants you dorm to sa2
per J."
Il come" said Mr. F., and mel
tally imploring the protection of heaye
against all violence, he grasped a candle
and placing his Bible under his arm, opeI
ed the door \ grim, gigantic fgur'
habited in black from head to foot. stoo
without, who, motioning him to follow
led the way to the same splendid apar
mcnt in which he had been in the Garlic
part of the evening. The door WI
thrown widely back by his sable guild
and he was ushered in. The master {
the revels received him with silent boy
and escorted him to the table, which W;
covered with a sumptuous banquet, an
entirely surrounded by guests, with ii
exception of one seat which had been 7
served for him.
As he seated himself, burst of hid
GUS laughter pealed out, and died aw'
in the distance He glanced at the col
pany they were all robed in unreliev'
black, and from comtcnances Of liv
| ghastlincss the hollow eyes shot for
gloomy flashes of fire as they glared u
5 on him. All was silcnce--dead silcnc
o 1t was appalling He felt the blood Gu
die In Lis Neina Thn host helnol hi