Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-03-07

| on the trent bling monarch, he was led
back to his dungeon.
Chapter XIX.-The Fatal Secret.
IT was the witching hour of twilight as
a monk with his cowl drawn close over his
face, entered a small chapel near the
grounds of the aged noble, Nadir Ali 1t
was the same eve as that appointed by
the brigand for the flight The monk had
not waited loBg ere small side door was
thrown open, and the traitress Rachel en-
tered the chapel
keep one waiting said he, throwing his
cowl back and revealing the features of
the Lacquer monk.
sHa ha laughed the woman, half
wildly. do you fear to wait q
You have not forgotten the
Hold, Rachel 7 cried the monk, grasp
ing the woman roughly by the arm :;
would you drive me mad p
Aha drive you mad 2 uttered the
woman with light hollow laugh
Rcnza, what thought you was the fate
of her you so basely wroDged p
'Oh, Rachel, forgive me 7 implored the
monk, with an expression of agonizing
supplication resting on his features
Forgive me, for a fearful retribution has
been meted out to me-
Retribution = exclaimed the woman in
fierce tone; not half has been meted
out to thee But listen, Renza; I came
not here to recall the past, but to disclose
the secret
The secretP uttered the monk, while
saturnine smile Lighted up bis dark fea-
lures. Aha by the heard of Omar, l
had near forgotten my business yet now
let me hear all, all Rachel
The woman smiled half scornfulv, as
lie thus spoke. and her dark orbs beamed
with a wild light.
Tonight Aleppo is to guide the family
to his mountain home,' she added in low
tone.
Who-the brigand, Rachel2' gasped
the monk, in an excited tone.
Ay, the brigand, Renza; yet why so
start at the mention of that name do
you fear him2'
Nay, Rachel, fear him not; yet tell
me when they are to start 2
This eve.'
Then perchance they may even now
be on their way to the mountains
Nay, Renza, they are not for they
are TO await my return, and to night |
was to reveal to them a secret that has
long been lying heavily Oh my mind
A secret, Rachel 2
sAy, Reuza. secret
Pray. will you not reveal it to me,
Rachel?'
'Renza, the past is too well known to
thee returned the woman in a tone of
forced calmness, fixing her dark piercing
eyes on the monk.
The past. Rachel-what mean you
ah, it cannot be = be cried. gazing wildly
around.
Aha is the past so soon forgotten by
thee, Renza 2
BY the beard of Omar. mean you-?
Nay. it cannot be, for your life would pay
the forfeit
My life =? aha think you l fear to
die ? What to me is life bereft of all its
pleasures?
Then would you betray me, Rachel 2
gasped the monk, glancing imploringly
into the dark visage of his companion.
Ay, base one, and ere another eve thou
shalt be corpse; for to the Afshar re-
venge is sweet
90 Rachel, will you not spare me q
Spare thee aha, plead on, deceiver,
for [ would fain ever see thee thus, a sup
plant at my feet
Yet, Rachel, will you not think of me
as you were won't to do. viii you not
spare me, forgive ME, and cease to think
of the past p
Never
Then by the beard of Omar you shall
never leave this chapel, unless a corpse ?
cried the monk, drawing his sword.
Back, base one, and bring not the
curse of Omar upon thee returned the
woman. retreatiDg towards the door of the
chapel
Hold your oath that you will not
divulge the secret ere you leave this
chapel
And will you restore to me my youth
my parents. whom your cruelty has sent
to a premature graveH
1t were not in my power to do this
Nay 1t is not. yet thy death shall atone
for all my misery
Then you will not take the oath 2
You bave heard my words, and mark
them well, thou fend
/ Then die. prating fool cried the monk
springing towards her with his drawn
sword
A moment more and Rachel would have
fallen beneath the blow but at that in
slant tall form sprang forward, and fen
ded off the blow it was Aleppo, who wa:
on his way to meet Ella The monk start
ed back as he met the earnest gaze of tn,
brigand, and dark froSa settled on biz
features.