Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-05-05


III voice OF frightful calmuess.
m-why-.narry-I would do much
to oblige thee" began the soldier; when
his companion Interrupted him.
We are in each others secrets" he
said.
The officer of the guard shrugged his
shoulders.
And, with men like rs 10 be in each
others secrets, is 10 be in each others
power.
The oGi3er Of the guard shrugged his
shoulders still higher.
8" Art thou resolved :" inquired Father
Francis, quietly.
4" am was the reply.
IT'S we'll" mutpred the priest; " but
the blow must be Immediate"
" 1t shall fall tomorrow" said Wvck-
hamme, & leave the means to me. But
say, father, how dezt lhoa propose to get
! possession of the maiden, and when %
Tonight" replied the monk, and his
eye glistened. . | am her father confes-
sor."
Captain Wyckhamme smaclled his lips.
d" A sweet duty, by my faith, to listen
to the fluitcrlng thoughts of youthful fe-
male hearts | almost would we're
monk"
! 8" Curses on thy licentious tongue" ex-
claimed the churchman in a voice of sup
pressed passion. " Listen-I have inn
posed on her ii midnight solitary penance.
At the dead hour of the night she is to
kneel before the sarine of the Virgin in
the cathedral. l shall be there"
And attempt to carry her off She
will scream
" There are gags"
/ & She will fly
/ There are bonds, and secret keeping
places the world knows not Of, at my dis.
posal-while Mark Ifuntley"-
9 Is my part Of the job. Priest, ii is
well laid scheme; think j, may prosper"
at must" answered the priest; but
the sun hath past the meridean; is it not
time thou vert Oh thy way homeward :"
Marry You say true" exclaimed the
other, i" and | will plot my share in the
mater as | ride"
Do So" said the priest, and fare
we'll"
II five minutes Captain Wiclthamme.
attended by TWO yeomen of his troops,
were spurring down Ludgate Hill on his /
way westward-whle Father Francis, I
cnyeloped in his cowl, paced slowly and
thoughlfully back to the cathedral. The P.
people made way for him reverently, aud
bowed low; the father had the reputation
of being rich in the odor of sanctlly, and
many counted themselves happy in his
" Benedlcte."
The hours passed away, and it became
night-a fair, calm summers night, in
which the moon and stars seemed striving
to outshinc each other. A deep hush was
upon London. The last Of the crew of
the 'prenlices who had been willing away
the heightened twilight by noisy game
of Cheape, had been summoned within
doors by his vigilent master, and the
streets were left TO the occasional home
returning reveler, who either paced along
with tpsy gravity, or made the old houses
ring with suatches Of the drinking song
which still buzzed in his ears. The state
Iv mass of old Pauls rose majestlcaIIy
above all humber tenements, sleeped in
a food Of mOOushIne-its quaint carvings
and sculptered pinnacles here standing
out clear and paipable IN the starry air,
and there broken 10y broad masses of deep
black shadow.
1t was near the hour Of midnight when
the light figure Of a woman closely muf-
fled in lis drapcries, gided cautiously and
timldly along the quiet pavement, and
lripped up the steps towards one of the
side entrances OF the cathedral. The
door of a chapelry, from which admittance
nigh. be had into the main portion of the
building, was open. AS she crossed the .
threshold the damp chill of the air, so diff
ferent from the genial atmosphere with
FOR
ment, and then she entered the cathedral
1t was an awfuily solemn place. No work
of mems hands could be more grand its
shadOwY vastness seemed not OF the earth.
The eye could only dimly trace its proper
tons by the gorgeousLy colored light ad-
mltted 10y the painted glass, and lmagina-
ton supplied the rest. Here were the .
vast clustered pillars, the echoing aisles,
the groined and arched magnificence Of .
the roof, and over all silence, like the
silence of the dead; the intruder crossed .
her arms upon her bosom, for the place
was chill; and the next moment Mabel
Lorne knelt before the shrine of the Eir-
gin. She had hardly passed minute in .
devotion when a heavy hand was laid up
on her shoulder; with tluttering heart
she started TO her feet, and beheld the
face of Father Francis dimlv seen close
to hers.
Falher!' she exclaimed.
Daughter" returned the priest. in a
voice Of passionate eagerness for he tho't
he had his victim in his clutch, thou
must go with me" and at the same instant
before she could make motion 10 prevent
him he slipped lierchief prepared for
the purpose over the lower part of her
face, and she was unable to utter a sound. .
Come, sweet one, come - said Father
Francis, in a low, ;remulous voice, as he
attempted to seize her arm and waist
Surprise and despair, however, gave Ma
bel strength; making frantic effort, she .
| freed herself from the rude grasp, and /
/ fed. Uttering a muttered imprecation,
the priest pursued, but his flowing robes
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