The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-02-25
II am." she said, "the victim Of se-

cret family tribunal, whose sentence is IT.
revocabIe ! More. | cannot tell. | for
give mine enemies, as | trust that God
will forgive me- Pray for me y
The minister of religion invoked the
sublime promises of the gospel to soothe
her troubled soul, Iand he succeeded
Her couatenance, hitter a time, became
composed, she elias ped her hands in fer
vent pra,er. and then extended them to-
ward her consoler
As she did SO, thb cure perceived that
the sleeve of her robe was stained with
blood
NV child" said he with trembling
voice. "what is this Z"
"Father, 1t is vein which they have
already opened, an d the bandsge, no
doubt was carelessIy But on"
| At these words a ID ddeu thought struck
the priest. He unrd lied the dressing, al
lowed the blood to f @w, STEPPED bis hand
kerchief in it, then n eplaced the bandage,
concealed the stained handkerchief with
in his vest, and whis pered--
Farewell, my daughter; take courage,
and have confd euce in God"
The half hour had expired. and the
step of his terrible cpnductor was heard
approaching.
Il ann ready" said the cure, and hav-
ing allowed his eyes to be covered, he
took the arm of the Duke de -, and
LETT the awful room, praying meanwhile
with secret ferror.
Arrived at the foot Of the staircase, the
old man succeeded without his guide
knowledge. III slightly displacing the
thick handage so as to admit partial ray
of lamplight. Finding himself in the
carriage gateway, he managed to stumble
and fall, with both hands forward toward
dark corner The duke fastened to
raise him, both resumed their places in
the carriage, and after repassiug through
the same tortuous route, the cure was Set
down in safety at his own door.
Without one moments delay he called
his servant.
pierre" he said, "arm yourself with
stick, and give We your support; |
must instantly 60 to the minister of po
lice"
Soon afterward the official gate was
opened TO admit the well known venera
bic pastor.
"Monseigneur," he said, addressing the
minister, "a terrible deed will speedily
be accomplished, if You are not in time
10 prevent il. Let your agents visit be,
fore day b. eak, every carriage gateway in
Paris in the inner angle uf one of them
will be tour a blood stained handker,
chief The blood is that of young fe.
male. whose murder already begun, has
been miraculously suspended Her fam
lily have condemned the victim to have
her veins opened one by one. and thus to
perish slowly in expiation of fault, al
Ieady more than punished BY her mortal
agony. Courage, NY friend, you have al
ready some hours. May God assist you
i can only pray"
| That same morning, at eight o'clock,
the minister of police entered the cures
room.
"aly friend" said he, 81 confess my
inferiority. you are able to instruct ue in
exFedients.
Saved p' cried the old man, bursting
into tears.
Saved" said the minister, "and res
cued from the power of her cruel relations.
But the next time. dear able. that you
want my assistance in benesolent enter,
prise, | wish you would give me little
more time to accomplish it,
Within the next twenty four hours, by
an express order from the King, the Duke
de - aud his uccomplices were secret
Iy removed from Paris, and conveyed out
of the kingdom.
The young woman received all the care
which her precarious state required and
when sufficiently recovered, retired to a
quiet country village, where the royal
protection assured her safety. 1t is
scarcely needful to say. that next to her
Maker, the cure of St. Germais was the
object OF her deepest gratitude and 6lial
love During fifteen years, the holy man
received from time to time, the expression
Of her grateful affection and at length.
when himself, from extreme old age, on
the brink of the grave, he received the
intelligence that she had departed in
peace.
Never until then lad word of this
mysterious adventure passed the good
priests lips.
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