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

CONCLUDED.
I had no sooner cast inv ewes up
to the gallery, than I saw tall thin
figure, habited in the dress of the
Gray Monks, the large white cross
standing out very distinctly. He
held up small book before his fac,
which he appeared to be reading
There was no solemn tramp of his
''sandslled shoon" upon the floor, as
h so regularly paced it up and down :.
faint rustic of the gray garment
was all the sound I heard. He was
taller and more attenuated than any
of the brethren, and his nose and
chin were sharply defined. I gazed,
and discovered that I had never vet
seen his face. Still I was not much
disturbed; perhaps he was some lay
brother, in punishment, or perform
ing some vow, and must not intrude
upon him. I felt disappointed. I
was not, it seemed, destined to visit
the mysterious gallery.
was just turning to go away, and
had cast my eyes once more where
the monk was walking, when lol he
had vanished. Whittier could he
have gone? I could distinctly see
the doors on each side of the gallery,
which were fast closed, and I felt
sure he had not descended the fight
of stairs, and passed by me. I rub
bed my eyes to assure myself I had
not bsen dreaming, and looked up
again. Neither monk nor shadow of
one! I was fairly baffied, and though
q strangely cold sensation came over
me, I cleared the small flight of
stairs almost at one Sound, and
found myself standing in the gallery.
AT the same moment, 1 became con-
sclous OF some presence ncar me
not visible, it is true-but I heard
the rustle of a garment. I felt
decidedly uncomfortable. Yet, where
was the monk? Had I really seen
him? Could I credit the evidence of
ny own senses? 1t seemed as if
they were deceiving me.
began to think the whole q delu
sion. sion; N.Y.. NY nerves were weak, per
seemed folly in one who had never
before known what nerves meant; 80
l prepared to commence my tour of
inspection. I tried to open one of
the doors-that on nv right. as I
stood with my back to the staircase.
There was a rusty key in the lock; it
turned easily, and I entered. Ina
gine my disappointment at finding q
plain, bare, white-washed apartment,
destitute of furniture. I cast a hasty
glance round to assure myself no
monk was there, and closing the
door with an exclamation of disgust,
proceeded to open the other one.
This was not 30 easy. For time, it
resisted my most strenuous efforts.
AT length, with dull grating sound,
the key turned round in the lcok,
and entered the room. It exactly
resembled the one had just quilted,
only that there was low door Just
opposite me, evidently leading to
o..haer apartments. AT this instant, 1
became conscious of the same rust
ling sound had heard in the gallery,
and the shadow of gray monk fitted
by me on the wall. Advancing to the
low door OF which 1 have spoken,
found it ajar, and I did not perceive
that it opened only from the outside,
with spring-lock. 1t shut behind
me with heavy clane, which must
have resounded through the mo.
mastery, for it was loud enough to
waken the "Seven Sleepers.' Al
the same time, gust of wind drove
into my face, for oil the loop-holes
which served for windows in thu
corridor, were exposed to the oper
Heavens. walked down the Ions
narrow passage at 9 slow pace, M