The American patriot., 1855-07-14

near mysteries Such as the stars reveal to those
who worship them alone" "What mcanest
thou? Tbinkest thou that I cannot listen to
their voices, because their revelations may con-
cern mc?" 81 do think so, Lord Robert Lind
say. lie who would know the thoughts and
actions of others through communion with |
the stars must hear of trouble and of sorrow as
we'll as Joy and gladncss, and thy faith, tho
strong, might yield-thou coudst not wholly
sacrifice this world and its atfections--there-
fore, have closed my doors against thee"
"Iry me- cried Lord Robert, 'stry mo with
the severest test that ever mortal bore, and i'll
yield, hcnccforth, I an unworthy a smile
of strange ma'ignity lighted up the features of
the Astrologcr' "Nay, them" he said; ''thou
shalt know The worst at once; thy wife, the
Lady Alice, she whom thou hast so loved ard
cherished, like all her sex, is frail and false
false to thee false to the VOWS she sworc to
thee at the marriage altar" "Liar, before the
eternal God shalt thou prove it," burst from
Lord Lindsay's lips The memory of bis past
happiness Of his former love, Of his cold neg
lect, flashed like swhirlwind through his brain.
With his drawn sword he rushed toward the
accuser Of his wife. Upon uttering the words
he had Immediately passed into the next apart
mcnt, dcxtrously closing the door. Lord Lind
say boldly followed In the centre Of the
room upon raised platform, stood the AS
trologer. His ordinary dress had been cast
aside. His brightly colored sabre glittercd
with jewels, and was gemmcd with strange
hieroglyphics; his slull-cap had been ex-
changed for the magnificent head-dress of a
chief priest Of Isis, almost conccaling his face.
The walls were covered with representations Of
the consultations, each star, Of which flashed
ike diamond in the dim light which filed
the chamber "Fool," said he "as Lord Lind
say approached" said | not that it would be
so2 And yet thou wouldst hold communion
with the stars, thou who darest to ask them
for pro9f that dsrest to demand Of Bootes to
prore what he whispers in accents of mystery,
as he leads his hunting dogs over the zenith in
their leash Of sidereal fire. Away! had
thought to gaze with thee upon still more n,ys-
terious suns-to wander with thee amid the
grandcr phantasmagoria of the Universe-to
listen with thee to the more exquisite music of
the spheres; but thou art unworthy. Away,
thcn" The sword dropped from Lord Lind
says grasp Awe-struck he sank upon his
knee. mysterious being" he said, "the VIC
lcnce of momentary passion "No more"
said the Astrooger impalently, "ths stars
even as speak have vouchsafcd that which
thy presumption hast dared to desire--proof
deep and damning that shall embitt,r thy life
forever. Follow me-" He strobe through the
apartment to the corridor. They passed to the
garden Of the castle, and reached an arbor sur
rounded by trees. With look such as only
the devils in he'll can ever wear, the Astrologcr
pointed to the spot. There was the Lady
Alice, her waist encircled by tho arm of q
stranger, her head resting upon strangers
shoulder. Lord Lindsay stood powcrlcss; his
strength seemed to have departed; he almost
sunk upon the ground. But twas only for n
moment, starting suddenly up grasping his
sword with wild cry, he burst into the
arbor. At one blow the brother and the sister
fell dead at his feet A bitter moc.ing laugh
filled the air, and the Astrologer stood before
him. "Lord Robert Lindsay" he shouted tri-
umphantly, 'thc vow is accomplished, and no.
bly, hast thou performed thy part" lie tore
the Astrologcr's disguise from his head and
face, and Sir Ranulph Langton stood before
Lord Lindsay. "knowcst thou the VOW and
itc nj, 1ori rn otl u
consolation, for thou ncedcst it. Farewell
Lord Lindsay had sunk upon the ground be-
side his murdered wife, lie neither spoke no,
moved, but with a dull bewildcred look was
gazing upon her face Beautiful was it ever
in such death. The smile which had wei
coined her brother still rested upon those fail
features; its radiance had banishcd every trace
of care and sorrow. All was over now; nc
more weeping, no more anxiety of heart.
brighter world than this was her home, and
would be through eternity; where the tear.
shall be wiped from off all faces, where all is
peace, all happiness, all love forevermorc.
"Many long years had passed since the ter
rlble death of Lady Alice and her brother
| Sir Ranulph Langton had fed, but with tn,
Avenger of Blood upon his track; for by tina
scene Of horror Lord Lindsay had sworn tha
by his hand Sir Ranulph should die. Innlight,
cities, through vine-clad France and sunny
Italy, by the Saviors tomb, in cold northern
SHOWS, among the desert sands, and upon th
t waste of waters, the false Astrologer ha'
sought rest, but dared nowhere tarry. Their
was no city of refuge, no spot of earth t.
which his pursuer came not. With never tir