Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-06-01


the table and when It's back was turned
it drew forth a small lantern from its bosom
and opened It, Some Of the rays shot up
and revealed the pale features of the
Benedictine. What could he be doing
there
Tie monk ran his eyes quickly over the
table, aud then he turned to where the
knight had lain his clothes across a chair.
He noiselessly searched about these until
he had found the papers, and having secur-
ed them be turned back towards the bed
When he reached the wall be seemed to
lean against it for a moment. and on the
next instant he had disappeared There
was no door to be seen there, and yet the
/ Benedictine must have passed through
there somewhere. Either he must have
mysteriously melted into air. or else he
must have found some secret passage
through into the tower
Du Cbastel slept on; and again. at the
end of half an hour. the same dark pres
ence glided back into the room and pass
ed has bed. The papers were all placed
exactly as they were found, and again the
/ Benedlctine DISAPPEARED as before.
The sun was high when the knight
arose from his bed, and he thanked his
fate that he had enjoyed an undisturbed
rest. When he had dressed himself he
went down into the dukes study, and
having obtained piece Of wax be sealed
the letter he had written the night before
and then went out aud ordered his horse
He told the groom to inform the duke
that he should not be back to breakfast
but that be might be expected to dinner
After this he mounted his horse and rode
of, taking the road towards Pampelu-
ma
Let us look back little into the night
that has passed While Sir Nanden du
! Chastel was sleeping 50 soundly in his
bed, Don Philip de Ia Cara had not yet
retired The duke was all alone in his
study, and now that there was no one to
see him his features were somewhat relax
ed. He did not seem moved much, for
those same emotions that would have
made sad havoc with the conplaceucy of
Others, had but little external effect upon
him. What his heart may have felt few
people knew. lie may have been worked
upon by the teuderest emotions, or he may
have nursed the most fearful hatred in his
bosom, and in his face it would have been
all the same.
1t was long past midnight when the
duke arose from his chair but even then
he did not seek his chamber. He took
his light, and having passed out into the
long corridor he took his way towards the
eastern part Of the castle st one of the
eastern angles of the building stood the
high tower, within which was the chapel.
and it was to this chapel that the duke
went. When he reached it. lie entered
with reverent STEP aud set his light up
on the altcr. Then he kueeied down be
fore the wooden crnciaz and prayed; and
who could that stern noble pray for at
that hour, and in that place.
Don Philip prayed for his daughter
he prayed that he might see her happy
under the circumstances that were hang
ing over her, and that the marriage lie
had projected might prove blessing to
: her. lie confessed that he was taking a
step Of necessity, but he hoped he was
doing right but above all and most earn
estly. did he pray that his child might
submit meekly TO the trials that had found
her heart that the love she had heli for
one who could be nothing more to her
be soon rooted out by the hand Of forget
funess.
When he arose from his kneeling, be
wiped single tear from his cheek and
when he again took up the light, the look
Of stern coldness had come back to bis
face He passed out from the chapel
and having closed the door behind him
he started to retrace his steps. He had
passed out from the tower, and had just
reached a point where the corridor came
to an abrupt angle. when he came upon a
human form that had met him from the
Opposite direction 1t was the Benedic-
tine
"ITho and what are you ~ asked the
duke. not little startled by this sudden
appearance.
The presence seemed for the moment
to hesitate; but, without speaking, it
slowly raised its head until the rays of
the light fell upon its pale face.
Great God Of heaven I" gasped Don
Philip, starting back aghast. and letting
the candle drop from his hands,
In an instant it was dark as the closed
tomb The nobleman spoke but no an
swer came back to him he felt along the
passage, but the presence was gone
Slowly be groped his way back to his
study. where he had left a heavy lamp
burning. Great drops Of sweat stood up
) on his brow, and his face was pale as mar
: ble. As he sat down in his chair, he clos
; ed his hands upon his eyes. but he could
not shut out the sight he had seen he
sought his bed, and he slept, but it was
only to see that same pale presence in his
restless dreams,
CHAPTER VII.
THINGS LOOK SUSPICIOUS.
Nandon du Chastel had been gone an
hour when Don Philip arose from bis bed.
The old nobleman was very pale, but q
| few turns in the open court revived him.
{ and restored him to his wonted vigor
t After this he went to the room Of the
warden. and got bunch Of keys. and with
these in his hand he went to the chapel
where he prayed the night before. Ii
, tto corridor he found the candle that he