The American patriot., 1855-07-14

Lindsay, and the Haunted Castle, With Its le- |
gcnd, alone remained, the mute witness Of for
mer crime and its awful punishment. Here,
two years after the union of Lord Lindsay and
the Lady Alice, a strange being had, by per-
mission Of the former, taken up his abode.
The peasants told of the lights that burnt all
night long at the Haunted Castle--of strange
forms seen there,-and they whispered too, of
dealings with the spirits of darkness. The
stranger seemed to shun all intercourse with
men, and was rarely seen without his abode.
Within he had traced strange figures upon the
walls, and had brought many curious instru-
ment and many an old volume filled with Gu
rious characters. His appearance correspond
ed with his mysterious nature. His dress was
always flowing robe, strangely wrought,
sllull-cap covered his head, and the grey hairs
whirh had begun to mingle with the rich black
in his long locks and flowing beard accorded
well with the deep bronze of his complexion
and his dark piercing eye. To this stranger,
Lord Lindsay had been unusually attracted
The science which he professed had peculiarly
fascinated him, and the Astrologcr laid aside
much of his austerity in his intercourse with
the enthusiast
The union of Lord Lindsay and the Lady
Alice had proved particularly happy. They
loved each other with even more affection than
they had exhibited in the beginning, for a
more thorough knowledge Of each others char
acter had led to mutual concessions and sacri-
fees, and consequently to greater happiness.
They who in this journey of life wonld be truly
happy must yield much and do much for the
sake Of those they love; faults must be kindly
dealt with, virtues cherished as priceless jewels
and reverenced as the gifts of God.
| "When the stranger came the Lady Alice
only smiled at tbs enthusiasm of her husband
Indeed to one of his imaginative temperament
there was much that was sublimely magnii-
cent in astrology, andwhen presented with the
eloquence of which the stranger was so much
master, it became doubly attractive. He would
discourse in lofty language of the antiquity,
the grandeur, the divine nature of his science,
how, since the foundation of the worl ii had
|
MUS of Egypt had added to lis glory and its
mysterious majesty. The philosophic priests
of the Egyptian divinities had gazcd through
the long nights of almost forgotten ages upon
those glorious orbs, tracing their silent path
way and connecting the movements with the
lives and destinies Of men. The bright Aide
baran and Arcturus, the burning Sirius and
every glittering jewel in the belt of Orion,-
each was the guardian of a human soul and
had been through eternity. Those who could
read them Alright, could, with prophetic vision,
read the future of mans earthly existence.
Lord Lindsay yielded to- fascination which he
cared not to resist. Forgetting all the ties
which bound him to the church of his fathers
he secretly adopted the wild faith of the As
trologer. Fearing to give her pain he con-
cealcd this charge even from the Lady Alice.
Alas for him-for all who, even from the kind
est motives first cease to repose the fullest,
most perfect confidence in those to whom they
are united. Who can estimate the evils T, sui
ting from it? Slowly but surely cstrangement
steals in, distrust and suspicion with all their
hideous train follow. The golden link is forev.
er broken-hope, happiness and love are gone
and may return no more.
''The lady chided her husband gently, for his
constant absence at the haunted castle That
he might relieve her from anxiety and yet en-
joy the society of his teacher, after earnest So
licitation he had prevailed upon the Astrologer
to take up his abode in an unoccuped wing OF
the castle. He did so, however upon the con-
dition that no one but Lord Lindsay should
enter his apartments and at certain hours he
was to be left entirely alone.
''Three months had passed-months of sorrow
to the Lady Alice, of de'irious enthusiasm to
Lord Lindsay. The lady was growing pale,
an expression of anxious care was stealing over
her face, her Lord was rarely with her, he had
found another mistress from whose embrace
all the tenderness of her devotion failed 10
withdraw him. And yet she loved him the
more tenderly and the more dovotedly hoping
in the future. The crusading armies were re-
turning, and her brother would aid her in re-
moving her husband from the entertainments
for such she regarded them, of this mysterious
stranger. The influence of the Astrologor ovel
him had, indeed, become unboundcd. Lore
Lindsay feared him, for, firmly believing his
science he regarded one whose knowledge off
was so vast as worthy both Of fear and rever
ence. There was a mystery, too, about hi
character and actions, Independent of his sci
ence, which his pupil had sought in vain t'
fathom. He had Gnce told Lord Lindsay tina
! long ago he had made a vow to accomplish {
, certain act and that the stars had taught hin
that he though how be was forhidlen to re