Middletown transcript., 1871-01-28

tie OF his composurp.
/" Now" observed his superior, pre-
pare to accompany me. You may not
like the task, but il is one your bound to
perform"
The sexton bowed his head in tacit ac-
quiescence.
i" Are you rcadyf' said the Baron.
II am was the ready response. For
by this time the sexton was fully aware
that all remonstrancc would be useless !;
he therefore made virtue Of necessity,
and proceeded at once to the cathedral. ac-
companied by tho Baron.
During the short journey, he answered
the queries Of the latter with as much
brevity as possible. Upon reaching the
half-opcned door Of the sacred ediiice,
his heart beat violently. but he strovc best
as hc could to conceal his trcpida.ion
and, assuming an air Of confidence, he
strobe boldly along the aisle of the
church.
Heaven preserve and protect u.s."
murmured the conscience stricken Hcntz
as he approached the entrance TO the
vault
:" II you have any fear, llein,z Wher-
art" said the Baron. in n concilatoy
tone, - say so, and will enter the vault
alone"
:" would not havo It so, my lord, - re-
turned the sexton . know the way far
better than you can possibly do. Duty
dictates that should enter first"
The lamp was still burning It shed
a sickly glare upon the sombrc walls and
melancholy relics Of mortality enshriucd
within ,ha, gloomy receptacle The sex
ten who had been closely followed by the
Baron. uttered an exclamation Of terror
aud surprise.
Wherefore this sudden fcar :" said
the latter.
" Look yandcr The saints be good to
me, guilty sinner that am" circulated
lIcniz falling on his knees and claspiug
his hands, as il making mute appeal TO
some patron saint.
pou the instant, the Baron's eyes were
directed to ono object in the vault at the
further extremity of which he bcheld his
wife seated on stone She looked more
like spectre than dcnzen Of this world
albeit She regarded the new comers with =
vacant stare. such as a person might dis
play who had suddenly awakened from a
long, deep sleep
j" Heavens Am dreaming or do my
senses deceive me z exclaimed the Ba-
ron. " Shredder. my dear wife, speak
answer me, Say is ii YOU Speak dear
cot For mercy's sake. speak =
!" Whcro am E: And whaf IS tie mean.
ing If all this = m4rusred the Lady
shr9sder. in faint. weak tone.
Her husband sprang forward and clasp.
ea her in his arms. lie taok her cold
hands within his own, elaspel them. and
covered her face with warm kisses Mean
while, tho sexton rocked himself to and
fro. calling upon all tho saints in the ca
cndcr to shield him from harp
Lady Shredder had already realized her
position. After Heintz's departure sic
awoke from her latharey. and passed
some terrible momsn.s To her surprise
she discovered shc was clothed in silk
She glanced nronnl. and her position was
but too palpabe Instead nf being in
warm bed she was reposiug in narrow
collin. The appalling idea Of being bur
led alise occurred to her; above ALL the
fear Of dying OF hunger, aud ef passing
her lasl lours amidst the deal. raised her
despair to the highest pitch She looked
with horror upon the ,enr to@s Of leaden
collins, despair gave temporary strength
and She succeeded in reaching the closter
where she wandered about for some time;
then, faint and sick Of heart. she returned
to the vanit Tor tho lantern n sudden
weakness compelled hes 10 rest for awhile
on ono Of the stones. aud while She Was
in this position relief o.me 10 her
Her husband aud the sexton made their
appearance The former. bearing his be.
loved wife in his arms. adopted tho ft,est
measures for her restoration. He took
her 10 the hotel and eoutrieel to conceal
the .rne cause Of her resnscitation Great
was his JOY when the physician in atien-
dance upon the lady declared that all dan
ger was over. II was impossible for him
to remain angry with lieintz Wherart.
whose sacrligious crime produced such
happy consequences.