The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-06-25
CHAPTER I'LL.
Tux HAUNTED CHAPEL.

rilk HAUNTED CiAfiL.
The Haunted Chapel to which Mr.. and Mrs.
Berners were going was in q dark and lonely
gorge ON the other side Of the mountain.
They arrived safely at the old ruin, where in
the course Of the day they were joined by Mrs.
Berners' faithful servant Joe, whose affection
for his mistress had led him to play the Spy and
End out where she was going, and secretly fol-
low her with provisions and means for making
her somewhat comfortable.
The figitiyes felt so depressed, that even the
cheerful supper supplied by Joe could not re-
lieye them OF the oycrshadowing gloom which
had settled ON their hearts. A strange drowsi-
ness soon oppressed them, and they sunk into
deep sleep, as though they had been druggei
with some powerful narcotic. Mr.. Berners was
aroused before daylight by Joe, who instantly
drew him outside the chapel in alarm.
Sybil. left alone in the Haunted Chapel, con-
tinuei to sleep soundly. How long she had slept
she never could tell, when she was suddenly and
fearfully aroused.
She felt hands at work about her person.
Trey were creeping under her shoulders and
under her limbs they were lifting her from her
mattress. Her eyes fared open in wild alright,
and she saw two black shrouded forms, the one
at her head the other at her feet. She tried to
cry out in her agony of terror; but her voice
died away in her bosom, and all her powers
seemed palsed. They raised her up, and bore
her on-great heaven whitheri
To the open door of the vault under the chap
ell, from whose haunted depths spectral light
cleaned!
They bore her down the dreadful steps, and
laid her on the deadly floor
The iron door changed loudly to, resounding
through the dismal arches.
"We have her now ~ muttered q hoarse
voice. A hollow laugh responded.
And Sybil swooned with horror
When Sybil recovered from her death-like
swoon, she found herself in a spacious cavern OF
such exceeding beauty and splendor, that for an
instant she lost sight Of her terrors in her aston
ishment and admiration, and then her eyes set
tied upon figure who seemed the sole occupant
Of the place.
This was young girl, who, with her red
cloak thrown mat-like ON the moss, was seated
upon IL cross-legged in the Turkish fashion.
Her elm face, her malign eyes, her wild, black
hair and picturesque costume, were all so in
keeping with the aspect Of the place. that one
might have deemed her the spirit Of the cav
ern.
The two women looked at each other in ST.
lence for perhaps half minute andth sybil
spoke;
"what place is this Who are your Why am
brought hitherr''
"One question at time" answered the girl.
{" what place this is concerns you little;
am gipSey, and my name is Gentiliska why
you are brought here all TT concerns you
very much 1t concerns your liberty, and per-
haps your life.
al do not believe il You have had me torn
away from my husband Where is he nowr'
haughtily demanded Mrs. Berners.
"He Is likely in the hands Of the constables,
who are by this time in possession Of the Haunt
ell Chapel. But fear nothing Him they will
release again for they have no right to detain
him but you they would have kept, ifthey had
caught you. The constables were coming there
for us, but they would have found you had we
not brought you away with us. That was my
doing. made your removal the condition OF
my silence"
''But when win you communicate with my
husband, to relieve his Dire lful suspense ~
"As soon as il shall he safe to do 80. Our
first care must he our own safety, but our occ-
ond will be yours"
Sybil said no more at the moment but sat
looking at the speaker, and thinking Of all that
had bCfallen her in the Haunted Chapel.