Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-01-19

so, since you confess yourself guilty of the
crime OF sacrilege; and no man would |
heedlessly or thoughtlessly be his own ac
ouser in such case. Still there is one
part of your statement which | find il
hard to believe, and this more especially
concerns myself and her whose memory
hold dear Heintz Whemrt, will at once
hasten 70 the church If your story be
true, not a moment is to be lost, You
must lead me to the vault into which the
remains of my beloved wife were consign
ed this morning"
"Oh, no, no; dare mott" exclaimed the
sexton, with uplifted hand-'1 dare not
return"
''Then must tell you plainly that do
not believe what you have been cling
me, returned the Baron, with frown,
"Oh, my lord, say not so! / have been
tempted to commit an act al which shud-
der, but do hope that you will not accuse
me of adding ialsehood to my crime"
"Why do you refuse to accompany meE'
81 dare not--my courage fails ms" re-
Piled the man, -.
"Can It be possible that YOU, who are
sexton, should be afraid Of the dead -
Heintz Wherart, paler than the corpse
he had Just visited, trembled from head TO
fr1t lie made no reply to the last ques-
t,un.
You look like man who mas been
terrified by the sight of a ghost or spectre.
Any such unearthly visitor would move
you to the last extremity of fear
Alas, yes" mumured the sexton,
Your brain is disturbed with some
strange feeling of this description but
tell you plainly that you must pluck up
courage and return 10 the cathedral with
me. This is the least you can do to make
amends for your guilty act"
II do not deny it, my lord" 4" said Hcntz
My duty prescribes it, my will is good,
AT present you are unnerved. Say
not right"
such is the case; plainly confess it,
returned the trembling repeniant.
The Baron poured out from a bottle
goblet OF some potent liquor which he
banded to his companion.
Dram off the contents of this" he said
ia a confident tone; I" it will give you
courage. In the course of q few minutes
you will be another man"
H"intZ Wherart obeyed Under the in
tluence of the draught, he regained little
of his composnre,
tN'"1 pbNIiN N't MS pitl'hit
to accompany me. You may not like the
task, but it is one you are bound to per-
form"
The sexton bowed his head in tacit ac
quiescence.
Are you readyg' said the Baron
81 am, was the ready response. For by
this time the sexton was fully aware that
all rcmonstrance would be useless he
therefore made a virtue of necessity, and
proceeded at once to the cathedral, ac
companied by the Baron,
During the short journey, he answered
| the queries OF the latter with as much
breyity as possible. Upon reaching the
bat opened door OF the sacred edihce, his
heNt beat VloIenlly, but ne stroFe as Dest
ne coulu TO conceal ms tTepldatlon; and,
t'ss ssulllng an ar OF confidence, ne strobe
oolaiy along the aisle ol the church
Heaven preserve ana protect us, mur-
m'red the consclence-strcken lieintz, as
nc approached the entrance TO the vault
IN you have any iear, Helntz NherarG |
sad the baron, IN conclliatory tone, say |
So ana Wlli en>er tle vault alene.
would hot nave u so, my lord, re-
lllhed lhe sexton Il know the way lar |
ncltcr thah you can possibly 40. Duty !
mcli'es that should enter llrsl
NC paiip "as sun ouinlug ~ shca
Slckly giafe upon tie somDef walls ana
hieithchoiy rellcs ol hlortaii'y enshrlned (
"lIhih that gloomy Ieceptlcie' me sex
ion, VINO llad 9een closely followed by the /
baron, utVorea an exclamation Oh terror /
ano surprise. /
hefeiofe this sudden lear! sad the /
natter
-"ok yonaer' me SAINTS be good TO
me 5uuty sinner Inat am e)aculated
hclhtI, lalilng on ms knees ana claspng |
hls hands, as II making mute appeal to
some patron SAINT
=. lpon the instant, the Bafons eyes were
airected 10 one ohject IN inc vault at me
iarlher extremity ol when he peheid ms
Wlie seated on a stone. she looked more
Lke spectre IMAM O denlzen OF thls word
albeit she regarded the new comers Nilh |
vacant stare, such as person might dis
pay VINO has been suddenly awakened |
IRON long, deep sleep.
Heavens An | dreaming, or DO my |
senses deceive lneY' exclaimed the Baron. |
Shroeder, my dear wife, speak~-answer |
me Say, Is 1t your Speak, dearest For !
mereYs sake, speak (
w here am | And what is the mean. |
ing Of all thlsY mnrmnred the Lady Sbroc- |
der, In iaiEt, weakeonc,
HeF husband sprang forward and clasped |
her ~ his arms. He took her cold hands |
within his own, clasped them, and covered /!
her face with warm k sses. Meanwhile, |
the gteYtDrl Fpgk0l himself anI fro l. /