Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-06-16
CHAPTER III.
THE HAUNTED CHAPEL.

The Haunted Chapel to which Mr.. and Mrs
Berners were going was In dark and lone
ly 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 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
Mr.. 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 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 heavens
whittier?
To the open door of the vault under the
chapel, from whose haunted depths a 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. =
'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 q spacious cavern
of such exceeding beauty and splendor, that
for an instant she lost sight of her terrors in
her establishment 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 seat
ed upon it cross legged in the Turkish fash.
ion. Her elfin 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 cavern.
The two women looked at each other in 81
lence for perhaps half a minute; and then
Sybil spoke:
"What place is this? Who are you Why
am brought hither:'
Zone question at time,' answered the
girl.
"' What place this is, concerns you little
| am a gypsy, and my name is Gentiliska; ;
why you are brought here ali! that con-
Germs you very much! it concerns your lib
erty, and perhaps your life"
81 do not believe it You have had me
torn away from my husband Where is he
now?" haughtily demanded Mrs. Berners.
6 He is likely in the hands of the consta-
bles, 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, if theNhad caught you The constables
we're 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"
g But when will you communicate with my
husband to relieve his dreadful suspense -
I" As 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 that moment; but
sat looking at the speaker, and thinking of all
that had befalen her in the Haunted Chapel