The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-18
1hE SECRET TRIBUNAL,

Brightly cleaned the lamps in the ina
perial palace at Vienna, shining in their
long rows upon a scene of gayety and
gladness. AS Edgar passed through the
crowded room, he paused to address the
lofd chamberlain.
aAh, my dear MarQuisp said the lat
ter, stI am delighted TO see you; all the
world is here Tonight; but come with
fme, have q word for your private ear"
He drew him into q recess. marquis
| YOU have a rival for the hand of Adfi-
anna. See, She is in the next room, and
notice by her side that tall, dark noble
man. II is the Count Of Palatine. He
| has just returned from Italy. Without
| your lady. This evening he has beehcon-
stantly by her side; he means no good.
| Beware OF him; you, will find him dam
gerous rival, fof," he lowered his voice
| to i whisper, s.he is supposed TO be con-
nected Win the tribunal OF the Holy
Veheme. Y ou know its power; but
am called. FAREWELL Remember my
warming."
When Edgar awoke the next morning
the bright sun was shining III his cnatn-
Der window. He turned upon his pill
low and started, ''as il an armed foe had
been near.'' fn the very pillow ON which
MS ueAu ndu uoeH ~ lHS, puA IOu w bne
hits was d long dagger wirh a cord
twisted around the handle, to which a
slip of parchment was attached. Tfeni-
blingly Edgar read.-
| "You are summoned to appear this
night at twelve O'clock before the Trfbil-
Inal of the Holy Vehme. A guide will be
with you at eleven"
Edgar turned deadly pale, as he read
1.-THE fearful words. A fearful sunfdohs
it was in truth, for rarely did any man
leave the presence ofthat dread tribu-
Inal living man. Originating as it did,
with some Who wished to preserve the
law which their rulers were unable to
[enforee, it soon fell from It's "hfgh es-
tate" and Decalne the iil5trnment in Tie
hands Of many Tor perpetratilig the most
atrocious otitrages. The most powerful
dukes and the greatest princes had been
summoned to appear before the Holy
Vehme; and too Well did Edgar know
t.that he who failed to obey their call per-
lisheu by the hand Of a midnight assas-
| sin.
Conscious of His innocence, he deter
mined to be ready at the appointed hour.
Rising, ne sought AdrfaHiia at the pal
ace Oh her father; to his astonishment
and grief he learned that she had lhat
morning left the city in company win
| her father.
| Slowly dragged the day along; at
| len 9Th the appointed hour arrived. Ed
gar heard Knock upon the. door Of. mis-
| Apartment, aha he arose and opened it.
| A man clothed in black, with mask
upon his face, entered the room.
| ~ am ready" said Edgar.
| .sCome. then" said the guide, eve
have no time 10 lose" s
| They descended. into the street; two
horses, saddled anu briddled, stood be-
fore the door. They, rode rapify through
the guide turned to Edgar.
| "Sfr," said be, "yod must consent to
be blindfolded."
GAS you please," said Edgar.
| Tue guide drew a handkerchief from
his pocket and quickly blindfolded him.
For some time tney rode on In silence /;
1T. length they stopped. In All instant
Edgar felt himself lifted from the horse
ana hurried forward. They passed
through, what appeared to him to be a
long hall, then down d stone staircase.
| A door was thrown open, the .handker-
chief ielI from his eyes, and he stood in
the presence Of the Tribunal Of tile Holy
VehI1e. @,
Seated around Tong room were some
thirty Or forty men, dressed iii black
robes, with black masks upon their
faces. At one end was d raised plat
form, on which was table. Behind the
table sat one WHO appeared to be the
Grief. BY his side was seated the secre-
tary. Two iron lamps threw a aim light
upon the scene.
Edgar, MARQUIS Of AlIondale," said
the chief, iii a LOUD, harsn voice, "goii
have been summoned to appear before
the Tribunal of the Holy Vehme. 'Tis
hnt No. <.Ix
mands. Listen; while the secretary
reads the accusation"
The secretary rose and read from his
parchment book: ,a,
Edgar, Marquis OF Allonda1e, is
charEed, with having dared TO aspire to
the hand OF German Countess against
her fathers consent, and contrary to tue
law of our land"
"Your defence, young man." said the
chief. 3v a- ...s.,.
the, mind OF Edgar. He was the victim
Of q base conspiracy; but who would
summon him thus? Ah,it flashed through
his brain like Lightning! It was the
Count ot Palatihe. He turned, Heroes
ssWretch, do You think your cunning
artitice is not, .discoyeredf That I DO
love the daughter OF the Count Of Merlin
will .ayow before the world; but as for
thee, / will maintain"
.sHe has confessed his guilt" said the
chief, rising and clipping his hands:
Two men-at-arins entered. s.AWay With
him; you know his punishment"
Edgar was seized ana hurried away.
When they reached the hall through
which he before had passed, he was
biindfoided. He was then led along a
second passage, a door was opened, and
tue night breeze Prayed softly upon his
heated brain.
All the day had Adrianna remained
mournfully within the castle of Drack-
enfels. Her father had summoned her
to depart with him on the day after the
imperial ball, without assigning q reason
for his strange proceedings. The thought
Of her lover, mourning her absence,
preyed upon the spirits OF the gentle
girl.
The day passed sorrowfully away; and
the night brought no reliet to her trou-
bled heart. Finding all attempts to
sleep were in vain, she arose and
seated herself at the window overlook
ing the garden. For time she remained
seated there, gazing upon the stars, or
at the bright moon, or at the silver wat
ers Of the lake that lay in the midst Of
fha Unrdof1 Sha, Waa oazLuu Tnnn tho