The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-29

vigorous push, andait burst open,
admitting me into small turret
chamber, certainly not, more than
twelve feet round. The light, as in
tho passage, was admitted through
narrow Sits, many feet above the
ground floor, 30 that it was but owl
light at best. The furniture of the
room consisted of on old worm-eaten
bedstead, small wooden table, and
a rude settle, upon which lay q
pewter plate. Evidently, many years
ago, this extraordinary apartment
had been used as prison, perhaps,
a Vandois hereto, and remained, I
supposed, as 1t had been left by the
last tenant.
Having examined this weird cham
Der, I prepared to return, a little
disappointed at the reenlt of my re-
searches. but congratulating myself
upon the contrast the more cheer
full refectory would present to the
gloomy cell. But when I came to
the door at the end of the long pass
age, I could not unfasten it! AS I
have stated, it had closed heavily be-
hind me, and the spring-lock had
caught. 1 was immured in this
prison, as much confined and unable
to stir us my imaginary Waldensee!
Release till the evening was impro-
bable in the highest degree. The
brethren were in their separate cells,
so would not miss me till late hour,
even if then, and my good friend the
Prior might not appear Mt all, after
such day of penance and mortifica-
tion. My dismay became 80 great at
the prospect of night spent in this
dismal place, that l thumped with
both my fists on the hard oaken
door, barred with clamps of iron; it
was quite impervious to my blows,
and I only succeeded in bruising my
hands. At length, worn out with
my futile efforts, seated myself
upon the stone steps, and fell into
an unpleasant train Of thought. Pre-
sently rose, and slowly retraced my
steps to the turret chamber, for it
was less cold there.
All this time, strange to say. I did
not think again of tho mysterious
monk; but as the hours slowly wore
away-as it became dusk, and I grew
faint from want OF food, my brain
became susceptible of all sorts of
illusions and phantasms. I began to
enter into the feeling of the prisoner
Bonivard, as lie paced the length of
his chain, round the stone pillar in
the rock-hewn dungeons of Chillon.
dozed for short time from sheer
weariness and inanition, and passed
through many O troubled dream,
until L awoke with start, and in the
dusk, saw the tall figure of @ gray
monk standing in the doorway. He
stretched forth long thin finger in
the direction where I lay upon the
floor of the cell, and it seemed to me
that he gave jeering laugh, though
L only saw his features move. It was
too much for my over-strained
nerves. I gave, I suppose. a piercing
cry, and then relapsed into uncon-
sciousness. 1 remembered nothing
more until l was aroused by human
hand clasping my own, and human
tears falling upon my cheek. At the
same time, heard tones exclaiming,
ooh! my son! my son! must you also
fall victim in this accursed spot?
Does the blood of the murdered one
still cry out for vengeance? Oh! any
vengeance but this! Spare yet the
living image of my beloved one!"
at these violent, yet passionate
words, I became thoroughly aroused,
and looking up, found I was sup
ported in the arms Of the Prior, and
that my head was resting on his
shoulder. His eyes we're full of tears
as he met my glance, but he seemed
ashamed of his emotion, and said in
calmer tones: "My instinct guided
me hither; 1 missed you when 1 came
into the refectory to wish you good
night. [ repaired to- yonr dormitory,
as 1 knew you were to depart on the
morrow. 1 Wished to say few part
ing words to one that l may never
meet again in this world. You were
not there; o suspicion flashed into
my mind-whether an inspiration or
not, 1 cannot tell-that you were in
these chambers. I knew you to be
enterprising. courageous and little
curious"
Here he smiled.
"Had you known all about these
apartments, you would have required
more courage still. But now you
must have some refreshment.
So saying, he arose, and led me