The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1857-05-07

/ and seated herself at the window over-I
looking the garden. For a long time
she remained seated there, gazing upon
the stars, or the bright moon, or at the
silver waters Of the lake that lay in the
midst Of the garden. She was gazing
/ upon the latter and a statue of Venus
that stood by it's side, when her attcn-
ton was arrested by the sight Of men
advancing up one Of the walks that led
to the lake They were three in mum
bor, and two appeared to be dragging
the other. They reached the margin of
the lake-the moon, which had been OBJ.
scurcd by cloud, at that moment shone
forth upon the scene, and to her horror
Adriauna saw the dress and countenance
Of her lover The life-blood thrilled
to her heart as she saw that he was evil
dcntly prisoner. One Of the men-at-
arms walked TO the statue Of Venus and
seized it by the left hand. Tt turned
slowly, trap-door was discovered, which
one Of them raised. She saw one des-
ccnd then Edgar, and then the other
The statue swung back to it's old place
and all was still again. Still Adrianna
gazed, as if fascinated, upon the spot.
where they had disappeared. Suddenly
the statue turned again; first one, and
then the other Of the men-at-orms came
forth-but the third person. Edgar, was
not with them Again one Of them
touched the left hand of Venus, again
the statue was restored and all was as
before Adrianna rose and tottcred to-
wards her couch; before she reached it
she fell insonsiblo upon the floor.
When she recovered, she found it was
broad day. and that she was upon her
bed surrounded by her attendants. She
dismissed them ALL All was still-thc
lake shone in all its placid beauty, and
the statue looked as if it had not been
moved for ages Could it have been
dream? No; the terrible scene was i'm
pressed too strongly on her mind; it
must have been a reality But how
came Edgar thore2 Why was he a pris-
|oner2 She pondered on it for a mo
|meut. when the thought Of the Holy
/ Vchme suddenly crossed her mind. All
| that she had ever heard Of this terrible
tribunal rushed upon her. Her father
! supposed connection with 1.-THE Count
Of Palatine-ah she saw it ALL she knew
the terrible nature Of the count, his
great passion, his iron will; this must
have been his work. But how TO save
her lover? She thought for a moment,
and decided upon her plan Of action.
/ Night had come, and silence reigned
over the castle of Drackenfcls. A fig
uro steals from a private portal and
/ |glidcs rapidly across the garden. towards
/ the lake 1t is Adrianna. Glidingbe-
hind the trees she at length reaches the
statue. She places upon the ground
lamp and a small basket of provisions.
Then reaching upwards she grasps the
/ left hand of the Venus. A grating
noise is heard and the trap-door lies open
before her. She finds as she had ex-
pected, a flight Of steps; slowly she dcs-
|cends, pauscs and lights her lamp. She
looks around-she is in what appears to
/ be a small chambers before her is an iron
knob--almost unconsciously she pulls
| |it, grating noise is heard, the trap-door
falls, and the statue resumes its place
| Alarmed, she presses back the knob
again the sounds heard, again the trap
door opens. Delighted to have discov-
cred the mode Of escape, she causes the
trap-door to fall, and fcarlcssly begins
to descend.
Down, down she goes, far into the
ground, while the water drips from the
stones by the narrow staircase. She
has arrived at the bottom-before her is
an iron door; it is bolted upon the out
side, she draws back the bolt, enters the
cell, and is in the arms of her lover and
weeping upon his breast. In few mo-
mcnts she was calm.
"Come, dear Edgar, let us leave this
dreadful place, l am fearful every mo-
nont that the Count of Palatine will
discover us. You do not know that
man as l do.
Hastily refreshing himself with the
food she had brought, Edgarleft the cell
with her, rejoicing in his escape. They
we're about to ascend the stairs, when tho
harsh grating sound, made by the turn.
ling of the statue, fell upon their cars
"Quick, quick, Adrianna blow out the
light, and come hither," said Edgar.
As she extinguished the light, Edgar
drew her into a dark rccss by the side
of the cell door
"Keep silent and we arc saved, said
he to the trembling lady.
The heavy tread of man descending
the stairs was heard-soon they saw the
|glimmer of a light, and the Count Of
Palatine stood before the cell door A
smile Of malicious pleasure was upon
his stern countenance.
"Well my pretty stranger, we will
sec if you have come to your senses
yet. If not, this must finish the bust
ness" As he spoke he drew a long
dagger from his breast and grimly sur,
veyed the point; then replacing it he en-,
tered the cell To rush forward, shut
the door, and run the bolt, was with Ed
gar the work Of a moment Selling
Adrianua in his arms, he ran hastily uI
the staircase. When they had arrived
at the landing, Adrianna pulled tn,
, knob, aud in moment they were in th,
garden of the palace The statue wal
replaced, and the Count Of Palatine lef
to the fate he so richly merited. Edgai
] and Adrianna proceeded to the stables
mounted their horses, and before th
r morning sun had risen wore far beyouC
e pursuit.