Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-05-09

Manoli rejoiced, and continued to look
towards the silent and motionless east
Suddenly the form Of woman again ap-
peared. He strained his eyes beneath his
broad, hard hand, leaning forward so that
be nearly toppled over, and, TO his disinay,
saw that it was Uca again The good
housewife had returned home, repleuished
her basket, and was now not walking, but
running, lest her husband should suffer
from the delay. Manoli resorted TO prayer
once more although he believed it was al
most impious thus to strive with fate
This time gaunt wolf stalked forth from,
beneath the trees, and Uca again fed back
toward her dwelling.
Manoi returned thanks in a passion of
joy, and remained the whole day still look
ing anxiously out. The sun had gone
down beneath long black horizon behind
him: the trees had melted into dim shadow;
the course of the stream conld no longer
be traced; the focks on the hill sides faded
from sight, though their monotonous bleat-
ing and the shouts of shepherds could still
be heard. aIanoli began to believe that
ed, aud resolved to share IN its destruction.
Suddenly, near at hand, quite among the
workmeu, he beheld the indomitable Uca,
with third basket of provisions on one
arm, and her babe upon the other. She
looked around for her husband, eager TO ex-
plain the cause of her delay, and justify
herself He vas soon in her prssence.-
Looking on, by the workmau's torches,
which were already lighted, she wondered
at the solemnity of his aspect. lie did not
shed many tears, for be believed lie was
obeying the thrice expressed will Of heay-
en-. He kissed his wife tenderly, putting
aside the hands Of the little child which ep-
deavored to clasp his neck-for how could
he have resisted that caress2-ana then, in
loud husky voice, ordered the two victims
to be enclosed IN the centre pillar of the
great aisle. They wondered and marmur-
ed, bnt they obeyed: and the shrieks Of de-
spair that thrilled at first through the dark
ness were soon drowned in the noise of
hammers and chisels, and pick-axes. Ma
noli looked sternly on until the pale face of
his wife had disappeared, and he then vent
apart, and throwing himself on the ground,
spent the night in despair which no conso-
iatiou came to visit.
Shortly afterwards tie cAurch was finish
ed, and all the country around cama to
shower praises on the architect. But some
say envy and some say injured affections was
on the watch. The most probable story is
that the father of Uca, master workman,
silently excited the workmen against Ma
noli. One day he had assembled to the
highest tower. to see that all was right;
they drew away tie ladder, aud called to
him tauntingly to come down if he could.
The unhappy man shrieked aloud and tried
TO justify himself.
He had obeyed the orders Of Heaven,
given the auchorite of the cell. They re-
Piled that the anchorite had died the day be-
fore his last visit, and that he had been de-
luded by 6end in human form. His de-
spair became overwhelming. But love of
life is strong. He was great meohanician
and endeayored, they say,to fahricate pair
Of wings, by which he could fly down from
the immense height. He dared not to inn
plore the succor of Heaven, and he leaped
with mad courage. Down be came. The
wings shattered By the 6rst shock, beat use
lessly around him during the terrible dive.
He was seen to descend like an arrow, and
they say that the earth opened like water to
receive him, and closed again over his head.
The legend asserts that ever since, at the
hour of nidnight, plaintive woman's voice
is always heard murmuring through the
church. imploring Manoii to release her snd
her child.