Weekly Trinity journal., 1859-04-02

And, at length, that most powerful of all ideas
to soothe the mind, entered with its elevatinp
and consoling train. The thought of the Great
Being to whom that place was Dedicated of His
serene supremacy above all the wo and tumult of
earth, above all the forces of nature, and the
spirit of man himself, gave him degree of COM
posure IN his present situation, which, he after
ward owned be should, without this aid, have
wanted.
With restored calmness, he removed his hands
from his eyes and looked up once more, hoping
he had been the subject of some strange delusion
of the senses. No-there; another flash showed
it nearer, palmer than before. During those
brief moments it had descended the gallery stair
with unheard lightness and swiftncss, and was
soon on the same floor with himself. By this time
the violence of the storm was somewhat abated
The flashes Of lightning came at longer intervals.
lie had to wait some seconds straining his eyes
upon the darkness, The lightning came at last
dazzling and wbite-it showed nearer yet.
Still undistinguisbable, vague-a tangled mass
of dark draperies, and ef-like locks and white
CLEANS Of face and hands-human, and yet not
what was this? thus wild in form, thus stcalthy
in its approaches Could it be indeed being
from another world He listened, with ear
strained to its utmost capacity, but there was no
sound, except that of the storm without.
To leave the church and encounter all the fury
of the elements without, now appeared to him as
d DlcSScu Itlcl Duts W uU So, He must pass lDIS
unearthly figure Another flash of lightning,
which showed his fearful companion so near as to
be almost within reach, quickened his lingering
resolution. With sudden summons OF all his
remaining courage, he rushed from the spot on
which he had hitherto stood rooted, ran with his
utmost speed down the aisle and gave a long
gasp OF relief as he felt the damp night air and
heard the door shut behind him. To unite the
bride of his horse was but the work of a moment;
he sprang into the saddle-at that very moment
he heard the church door shut viOlentiy-the
horse gave wild leap-but a wilder one had
landed the fearful form safe behind the rider and
his waist was clutched by arms which held it like
an iron vice.
The horse, seeming to share the terror of his
rider, reared and plunged, and then started for
ward at his greatest speed. lie instinctively
took the right road towards home, and went at
such rate as promised soon to terminate this
terrible journey. With the strength of despera-
ton, Mr.. T. tried to undo the rigid clasp about
his waist, but the feeling Of hands, cold as ice,
and bony as those of a skeleton, was such an ad-
ditional touch of horror he dared not repeat the
attempt He spoke, and adjured his companion
TO tell his name and nature, but there was no
answer, no movement, not even, as it seemed to
him, the drawing Of the breath; and thus they
sped with wild swiftness, through the dark forest
path, Illuminated only by the ftful lightning
lie could never afterward give any clear account
OF DIS sensations during rice which naturally
seemed to him interminable. That he retained
his reason and his life under the long continued
stress OF such mortal terror, was matter of sur
prise to himself and his friends. 1t was over at
last Home was at hand lie saw its friendly
lights, and with sense Of relief and thankful
ness never before experienced he stopped at his
own gate. 1t was opened by a faithful servant
who had sat up with the anxious wife of Mr.. T.
to await his return But the frightened horse
did not give Peter time even for an exclamation
of surprise at seeing his master return thus ac-
companied-hc shot past the gate, flew across the
lawn, and only stopped finally at the hall door,
with shock so sudden as almost unseated both
his riders
The next day it was discovered that the com
panion of Mr.. T.'s night-ride was an insane wo-
man, who had escaped from her keepers, and after
hiding in the woods, had taken refuge from the
storm in the church just before he entered it,
When Mr.. T. discovered the real nature of the be-
ing who had caused him so much suffering he was
surprised at his own panic, and was willing to at
tribute it to an unaccountahle depression of nerv-
GUS energy, such as is sometimes experienced by
those who boast the most robust physical aud
moral health.