West-Jersey pioneer., 1869-06-25
CHAPTER III.


THE HAUNTED CHAPEL.
The Haunted Chapel to which Mr.. and Mrs.
Berners were going was in 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 affec-
tion for his mistress had led him to play the
spy, and find out where she was going, and
secretly follow her with provisions and means
for making her somewhat comfortable.
The fugitives felt so depressed, that even
the cheerful supper supplied by Joe could not
relieve them of the overshadowing gloom
which had settled on their hearts. A strange
drowsiness soon oppressed them, and they
sunk into deep sleep, as though they had
been drugged with some powerful narcotic.
MIR. Berners was aroused before daylight by
Joe, who instantly drew him outside the
chapel in alarm.
Sybil, left alone in the Haunted Chapel,
continued 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.
They 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 palsied. They raised her
up, and bore her on-great heaven whittier
To the open door of the vault under the
chapel, 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, resound-
ing through the dismal arches. n
"We have her now!' muttered a hoarse
voice. A hollow laugh responded.
And Sybil swooned with horror!
When Sybil recovered from her death-like
SWoon, sne rnunn nErseiT III d spacious Cavern
of such exceeding beauty and splendor, that
for an instant she lost sight of her terrers in
her astonishment and admiration, and then
her eyes settled 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 it cross-legged in the Turkish fashion.
Her elfin face, her wild, black hair and pic
turesque costume, were all so in keeping with
the aspect Of the place, that one might have
deemed her the spirit of the cavern.
The two women looked at each other in
silence for perhaps half minute; and then
Sybil spoke:
am / brought hither?"
Gone question at a time" answered the
girl. &c sWhat place this is concerns you
little; am gypsy, and my name Is Gentiliska
swhy you are brought here,' alb that concerns
you very much! 1t concerns your liberty,
and perhaps your iife.''
ssI do not believe it! You have had me
torn away from my husband Where is he
now ~ haughtily demanded Mrs. Berners.
s.He is likely in the hands of the constables,
who are by this time in possession of the
Haunted 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 removalthe
condition of my silence"
ssBut when will you communicate with my
husband, to relieve his dreadful suspense3"
GAS soon as it shall be safe to do so. Our
first care must be our own safety, but our
second will be yours"
Sybil said no more at the moment; but sat
looking at the speaker, and thinking of all
that had befallen her in the Haunted Chapel.