Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-04-27

tering the cell that 1t contained hereto
who had been sometime under .confne-
ment, and appeared resolved to reject eve
'ry chance Of salvation This he ad-
ded. SIS the last opportunity of repentance
shall give her. lsz 81 :; Us sUo.
These words still echoed in my ears as
contemplated the stern front of the Jesu-
it. and the pensive innocence of the Greek
maiden. ---sr...7
'Perverse childp commenced Don AL
yez, i have come once more to offer thee
liberty, and the favor of the Virgin, if
thou wilt embrace the holy faith
Adela-so the jailor had whispered me
she was called-had now sat down on her
coarse bed, and, with her hands folded
on her bosom, seemed prepared for any
calamity which might await her. She re-
turned no answer to the priests obserya-
ton. ..-..-. .,...
.What!' continued he, 'dost thou treat
with contempt the servant of the church?
Mark me. perverse infidel: thy fate is in
thy own hands. Thy death l swear by
all the blessed saints shall be the penalty
if thou persisteth in thy unbelief; but if
thou wilt listen to the truth not "a hair on
thy head shall be injured. How sayst
thou? Canst thou endure death or wilt
thou live?'
1 am needless of my fate.' replied
Adela in tone of melancholy which pier
ced my heart. Still not Needless she
added with animation. SO long as know
nothing of the fate of Conrade. Tell me,
priest. conjure thee, is he in thy pow
er?'
why is the fate of that young man
so dear to thee replied Don Alvez,
that it is preferred to thine own saliva
ton p
Adela met the look of the Jesuit with a
calm and penetrating glance.
Thou mayest be learned in thy faith
she said, but thou art novice Aere-lay-
ing her hand upon her heart-if thou
knowest not that woman's love in doat-
ing upon the object. forgets all other in
terests.'
Then it is sinful and deserves perdi-
tion.' replied the priest. tt
Then it is impossible that can be
saved quietly responded the young
Greek.
What if tell thee said Don Alvez,
after a pause, that Conrad is not in my
power. but has left Naples with another
paramour p
Adela's blood mounted to her cheeks
with indignation, as she exclaimed, tThen
tell thee thou art liar as well as bar
barian. Not for one moment will be-
lieve so base calumny.'
Insolent hereto, replied my compan-
ion (: will for the last time inquire,
dost thou still refuse the mercy of the
church p
DO refuse the mercy of the church?'
said Adela. Why. wretch, dost thou
call these bolts and bars. this dungeon,
this darkness. my long imprisonment, my
wasted health, my tortured mind, my al
most broken heart-dost thou call these
mercy? know not what is meant by the
church, and care not despise and re-
ject both it and thee, You dragged me
hither because l worshipped according to
the custom of my fathers and my nation ;
and you would have dragged hither also,
another being for the same offence-one
who was too noble, too generous, and too
worthy to commit the smallest wrong
But he escaped-thank Heaven he has
escaped. Oh. Conraden she exclaimed.
clasping her hands, who shall love thee
when Adela is gone 2 For short time
sobs convulsed her beautiful folm; she
soon recovered, and then added with an
emphasis l shall never forget, L do re-
ject thee. thy mercy and thy church l
cannot believe that truth is allied with
cruelty. or that Heaven has given you au-
thority to destroy its own creatures. l
know not who is your God, but feel that
tho rrraot anL rood iDtall;traDca who r,,las
the world will not punish me for serving
him as have been taught, for believing
as my simple reason dictates, and above
all, for rejecting your creed. so full of cru
city bloodshed and oppression Leave m e
now; in an hour will be ready to do your
bidding
.Enongh,' said Don Alvez sternly. and
moved toward the door. took advan-
tage ofhis position to whisper to Adela.
DO not hope too much, but will be your
friend Her large dark eyes spoke a
gratitude which l arn confident L shall
never again receive from any human be-
ing.
The jailor fastened the heavy door, and
followed Don Alvez, who was hasten
ing from the building. When l overlook
him inquired his resolution as to the fate
of the young Greek.
She dies tomorrow, at noon,' was the
laconic reply.
1t was then near evening. He was at
first very unwilling to answer any ques-
ton concerning her. but. by dint of a
close application, L extracted as much in
telligence as put me on the track by which
at length discovered Conrade. L have
not ability to describe that gallant youth.
There was the genuine Attric stamp in his
character and frame He entered eager
ly into my plan of rescue; il was sufficient
ly perilous, but that to him was a recon
mendation rather than otherwise. The