The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-04

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gers moved nervously over his knees. Atlength he
TUNED 10 his chamberlain, and said:-
"This is a curious freak of circumstance. the
young man - IKE stranger in our city, and we
must provide for him--at least for awhile Then
turning to Alaric, he added
"Since have had thee brought hither against
night - 'NS N'
II can easily provide for myself, SIRE,
"Aye-but we do not choose that thou shouldst
be put TO that inconvenience. We have room
enough, and TO spare; and will afford true graft
tcation TO know that thou art cared for,
Alaric could not mistake the meaning Of these
works. The look which accompanied them was a
sufficient key to their import But he could do
nothing now to help himself. He could only
trust to circumstances as they should present them
selves
The king called one of his officers to his side and
whispered something into his ear, and then turned
once more to the youth.
1T is waxing late now, and we all have need Of
rest" he said; 50 thou shalt be conducted to
place Of safety until the morrow"
But, sire,' interposed our hero, "why should
you keep me here tonight? can be found when
you want me-"
:" We are not so sure of that. But it il orr will
that you remain Nippon, you will conduct him to
place OF rest, and report to me when thou hast
done it,"
The man thus addressed approached our hero,
and placed his hand upon his arm.
Come he said.
FOR they sounded like knel The word was not
spoken as speaks one who leads a guest to quiet
chamber.
"Go with him. spoke the king.
Alaric turned, and was led away In an ante
room his conductor was joined by four dark sins-
ter looking men, who had more the appearance of
common ruffians than walters upon q king, and
then he was seized by both his arms. and hurried
on through vaulted passage to a dimly lighted
corridor. Presently the officer, who was Nippon,
the jailer stopped at deep niche, where guard
was posted, and procured torch, by the glarins
light OF which he led on once more.
On, through dark and narrow passages-and
down, down, down, long and steep stairways, the
youth was led; and when his conductors finally
stopped Nippon opened door of solid metal,
which swung out from jagged wall, and the pri
soner was forced roughly in and the massive door
was closed II was shut with dull, heavy sound.
the rcverberations being drunk up by the solid
walls as soon as they fell upon the air-and the pri-
left in utter darkness. He closed his eyes,
and then opened them again. to if some glim-
mer might not be found to break the horrible
gloom; but it was all in vain. He CROPPED his way
TO the wall and leaned against 1t for support, for
there was no seat save the floor.
The youth was not long in making up his mini
that he had been doomed TO death. He knew the
character Of the monarch, and that no deed would
be too evil for him. He knew, also, how fear could
make the tyrant more cruel than before and to what
deeds of darkness the fear-stricken usurper can
descend.
II was a terrible thought, and for a while
had done; but when he came to reflect upon the
transactions of the day, he could not see how
the present result could have been avoided. 1t
had flown from causes over which he could have
exercised no control without the power of fore
knowledge. He thought of Ianthc, and he wonder
ed If he should ever see her again. The chances
against it, hut he was not prepared to give up
all hope. He had just started to grope his way
around the shiny wall when he heard the sound Of
footsteps without and presently the moving fbolts
fell upon his ear. In few moments more the door
OF his dungeon was opened, and three men entered,
one of them bearing a flaming torch. They were
huge fellows clad in sombrc garbs, and each bore
a naked sword in his hand.
Alaric recognized those garbs for he had seen
them years before and he knew that only the ex-
ecutioners wore them! The moment his eye rested
upon the grin visiters, he knew that his doom had
been spoken, aad that the time for execution had
GOMEZ instinCuyey he placed his hand upon his hip,
but there was no weapon there. He was all I'M
armed, and seemingly powerless against the gigan-
tic rufians. The man who held the torch leaned it
up against the wall where projecting point Of
rock helped to support 1t, and then the three APP
preached the prisoner.
How now spoke Alaric. What ia our bus
ness herel"
A foul business, you'd say, II you knew IL, my
master replied the leader of the Internal trio in
an unieeling tone but when It's done, Wen do it
so well you won't know we've done il at ALL
:" am 10 die.' the youth said, with his hands
clasped upon his bosom.
We've all got 10 die some time, and those who
ole Hrht VIII get the sooner out oil n very wicked
world And since you know what's coming, sup
pose you'll take il as easily as possible"
What lifetime Of thought and feeling was
crowded into the next moment. The three CLEAN
ng swords were raised. and the doomed youth saw
hem pointing surely towards his heart. There was
no escape by fight for between him aud the door
advanced the workmen Of death! There was no
hope in his own strength Of body and limb, for I'M
armed as he was, the power opposed TO him was
unconquerable 80 he leaned back against the reek-
ing wall, and shut the horrid monsters from his
sight
The above j. the commencement Of Mr. CoHBs
great story, which is now being published in the
New York Ledger. We give this a. a sample; but
IL Is only the beginning Of this most interesting,
fascinating and absorbing tale. The balance or
continuation Of it can only be found in the New
York Ledger, the great family paper for which the
most popular writers in the country contribute
and which be found az all the stores throughout
the city and country, where papers sold Re-
member and ask for the New York Ledger Of No
vembcr 10, and in il you will get the continuation
Of the story from where II leaves of here. II you
cannot get copy at any news office, the publisher
Of the Ledger VIII mail you copy on the receipt
Of five cents.
The Ledger Is mailed 10 subscribers at s2 year,
or two copies for 81. Address your letters to Ro
bert Bonner, publisher, ~ Ann street, New York
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