The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-06-25
CHAPTER XXI.
THE COLUMN OF cArHfRtNn De MEpIols.


Opposite the Rue de, viarmes.. and reared
against the circular walls Of the Italle-au BE
| with its base washed by a fountan-iss shaft
enolreled by 9 eyndrieal, lea, ,1. dial. and huge
mounted by "a strange spherical cage of iron
stands. at this day tall iuted richly deco rated
| Doric column bearing upon It's aspect the
reverend impress Of antiquity. The fountain
| and dial are OF modern constrt elton the spher-
ical crest is ancient Tradition assigns ths OBJ
servatory for such II is, to Catherine do Medics.
| From hence che Is said to have nightly perused.
within the starry scroll Of heaven, the destinies
Of the great city stretched out Mt her feet; while.
from the same situation. Kuggeri IL reported to
have gathered the lore by which he was enabled
to avert the stroke Of danger. and strengthen
and consolidate aS h1 iniSt.ess r, d ppwehh ,hcb ID
posed to have some reeondte allusion to the
mysteries Of astrology, was. In all probability,
contrived by the Florentine seer. Its form ha5
given rise to much speculation Consisting Of u
circular frame work Of iron crossed by other
circl, s. and supported by Larger hemisphs1re
entreoces.' SAYS NJ. Pingrc-the object of which
1t is difficult to conceive. unless they were in.
tended tyres OF tho science 70 the & uses ss Of
after the designs of the celebrated Jean Buan.
this pillar. situated, at the period under con
Hotel de scissors, is The sole remnant now exist
ing of that vast and magnificent edifce. Its
history Is remar1 able but it may suffice to say
Of GATHERINGS palace. by the generosity Of a
private individual. LIE Sieur Petit de Bachau-
mont. by whom 1t was redeemed ct the
srss5SfE Is ssaEss to "'sss"KE 'ss naESs ss sy
It's symmetry destroyed @ py an ~ hofol9giographi
placed above it's plinth. but. notwithstanding
these drawbacks- viewed either in connection
terious and exploded science Of which 1t is a
relic-the column Of Catherine de Medics can
scarcely be regarded with indifference. Within
it's deeply-cut champhering now almost defaced
by time are still TO be traced emblematic de-
vices similar to those heretofore mentioned as
adorning the walls OF ,Ruggieris laboratory.
The elevation Of the pillar from the ground Is
nearly hundred feet. and its diameter some-
what more than nine feet.
When Crichton and the Gelosa diappeared
through the recess their course Was for few
moments shaped along low. narrow passage.
evidently centrived within the thickness OF the
wall which. after brief but toilsome ascent,
conducted them to whnt appeared, from the IN.
creased height of the roof, and greater space
between the walls, to be q sort OF hiding place.
Whether there was any further outlet from this
spot, the profound darkness In which all was
involved left them no means OF ascertainSng;
but. as they tarried for an instant to recover
" warmly % to express his thanks to his fair com
panion for the succor she had so opportunely
afforded him.
perished beneath the daggers Of GATHERINGS as
sassins. To you owe my life second time
hew-how shall reaute your devotion 81 I.
% to remain ever near YOU
You shall never leave me-" returned the
Scot, kindly carrying his gratitude to a scarce
allowable length; for. as he spoks, his lips
sought the burning mouth Of the Gelosa. while
ms s as bss
ly drawing back her head, deeply abashed Mt the
impulse to which she had yielded our pur-
AL the same moment. also. Crichton became
aware Of the sound Of hoarse voices and ap-
preaching footsteps
;.-f mat ho IN, ~
this chamber communicates with the queens
observatory" cried the Geiosa l remember
was dragged TO some such place, as this. by him
ago Each wall in this frightful turret is per-
forated, like a state dungeon, With secret pas
sages Step forward. sweet signor, and you will
with outstretched hand. Crichton guided
himself rapidly along the wall. The aperture
was instantly discovered. His foot was on the
Follow me. Ginevra, he cried. extending his
hand In the direction of the damsel. But grasp
extricate. herself. At the. same moment, q
Kissing laugh proclaimed her captor 70 be the
vnde With hs1 force e
The maiden felt herself sinking His hot breath
was upon her face-his horrible mouth, ap-
and sudden thrill of pain. The vampire. having
no other weapon, sought to fix bis teeth In her
neck. In this. extremity. as she gave herself up
ster sank an inert mass TO the earth. Crichton's
poignard had freed her from her foe: while his
arm bore her up the spiral stairs. just as Loup-
garou and his crew reached the landing place.
The giant heard the struggle between Ginerya
and Elberch-he heard also the fall Of the latter
late to secure his prey. and stumbling over the
PROSTATE body Of the dwarf. impeded with his
huge person the further advance of his follow
and began to ascend the column. After mount
ing some forty or fifty steps. duh light admit
ted through narrow slit in the pillar. cheered
his progress.
BY my fay." cried Loupsarou. as he gazed
through this loop hole upon tho gardens Of the