The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-27

hear. She started, giving cry Of minele
fear and surprise, and, after CHANGING Wild
around for . second, sank unto the floor AGAR
covering her face with her arm.
A pause, and the Monk spoke.
Come, said he, slime flies, and We hav
none to waste. You must rise." With thi
he motioned me towards him, intending. ss
seemed with my aid, to force her up; bu
catching his meaning, she started up unaided
NO !" cried she, "off you shall no
touch me 0, Heaven, had you no othe
curse but this? Well, then-thy will b,
done"
linen you consent-you will marry him ?
eagerly exclaimed the Monk.
| Him? Who?" asked she, starting.
| HE who loves yen, worships you. HI
who would suffer death to gain you; who il
mere to die death most terrible, unless you
consent to be his BRIDE" And, as he spoke,
the Monk pointed towards TIE rack on which
Jay Satan, perfectly motionless and silent,
Sne uttered scream as her eye confirmed the
truth of the Monks words. and would have
fallen had he not supported her.
Eyes, there he lies" continued he. "Shall
| bid the doomsman release his limbs or bid
him tighten the screw? Speak Z"
She did not speak. Pale as death, or the
white robe in which she was enveloped, and
which, in that gloomy and dimly lighted
chamber formed disagreeable contrast with
the black gown and cowl of her supporter.
she stood more like statue than 3 living
being. Again the Monk spoke.
"Why do you pause? Think you that I
am not in earnest? Then you shall be con-
vinced otherwise. Pietro, do your duty"
Again" do your duty" but this time 1
was aware Of what my duty consisted; and,
honestly, | was not sorry at being allowed the
opportunity of giving Satan stretch, for
thought he deserved It richly-fnliy as much
as the name belonging to his disguise. 1 did
not hesitate, therefore, at this command, but
turned the crank. The engine groaned and
the rusty teeth OF its gearing chartered
loudly.
The noise seemed to rouse the girl. She
raised her eyes and looked stesdfastly at me,
rs it to have questioned my face for sympa-
thy, but my mask hiding all such expression,
she turned her gaze upon Satan. He too, be-
ing still masked, she failed to discover any,
thing there, and again her head dropped upon
her breast in silence.
''Pietro, spoke the Monk, after q short
pause; "Pietro, again; until bid you hold. "
obeyed as willingly as before, and, ere the
Monk stopped me, had given Satan pretty
clear idea of what he had to expect from such
IN instrument in such hands as mine. As Il
,eased he gave q slight groap, hardly much
more than q deep-drawn Sigh, yet loud
enough to reach the ears of the girl She |
tartei as if about to speak, but checked her |
elf and remained silent.
"Again?" cried the Monk, and thought |
discovered slight tremor in his voice.
| turned the crank. Satan drew o deep
'reath and held it, but was silent. I turned |
gain; but neither Satan nor the girl uttered |
sound.
Woman!" cried the Monk, edo you con.
emit? Speak !"
No sound escaped her; but the paleress of
er cheeks now extended to her lips and her
satures showed the agony OF the moment.
Again the Monk spoke:
Woman, again ask you. Do you con-
snt?"
Still was she silent; and now 1 noticed the
ow relaxation OF the muscles which precedes
Uniting from nervous exhaustion. Her lips
embed and her breathing was short and
aick. saw that it would be but few mo-
tents, and she must 'nsent. Yes; for what
SO could she do? She was completely in I
le power OF these two, who, gentlemen
Tough they might be by birth, were devils
heart, and completely cut Of my power, as
r as rescuing her Went. I would that mo- I
ent have given all possessed in the world q
have had it in my power to save her. But
W.? +
Again the Monk spoke, and this time his
ne was that of determination, g ID yet of a
rinking; as of one equal unto his duty, and s
It dreading to perform it.
g Yet once again, and only once, woman, b
1 ask you. Will you consent?" Q
There was no answer but her head dropped o
wer upon her breast, and her form gradually
nix under its own weight =
"Speak ~ cried the Monk, almost frantic v
She was silent II
Then, Pietro. do to death :" 3
started to obey, feeling, am sorry to con- j.
s. but little sympathy for the victim. ~
Once-twice round went the crank, when q =,
Z escaped the lips of Satan which sent q u
adder through me and brought IN exclama- p
n from the Monk; but the girl, by this "
wing sunk unto her knees, was still silent. - !,
ain turned, and again Satan uttered u
more painful than the last. This time
reached the heart of their victim. She 20
CIV up her hands with q faint cry of de- =! ~
ir, commanding me to desist, and OK. IL
lined family, 81 consentr' III
Swear it" quickly cried the Monk.
I swear" was her whisper, as she fell ie
X senseless upon the floor.
Quick. Pietro /! undo the cursed engine, ~
such q thing again." yo
IS l obeyed the bell in the clock tower
lex the hour of four. Satan moved NOT.
Ike not; he too had tainted from exhaus. II
he Monk was kneelipg over the girl, fan.
g her with the sleeve OF his gown.
LASTLY determined to sever my connec
with the affair at once, and now was nv de
Satan was still confined upon
rack. by the fastening which I had not I'M
eued, and was, besides, senseless, while Ito
Monk was occupied with the girl lor
stole to the door and-paused.
uld not, would not depart alone Satan's
ructions both to the gondolier and my
together with the hour just struck, flashed
before me, and at once decided my action. str
stool, of which have spoken, was within brl
reach. grasped it. The blow was we'll as
ed. and the Monk fell back stunned. COS
,kly seized the girl in my arms and tur
piping my cloak close about her, descended ne,
stair IS feetly as possible. reached the TIN
md floor in safety, opened the outer door, the
stood once more in the free air. as
moment was at the waters edge; the LAD
dolier was true to his trust. OF
i r ~