The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-12-04
A MIDNIGHT MYSTERY.

The raging billows lashed the snore,
thunder crashed amid the vivid flashes
of lightning, and the rain fell at times
in torrents !; but the quiet villagers OF
Biornborg we're securely sleeping in
their beds, for it was eleven o'clock at
night, and they were not wont to wander
from their homes after darkness fell
upon their habitations.
They were q hardy, simple race Of
people, having very little knowledge Of
Che outside world. The men were most
" fishermen and the women spinners of
I have said the good villagers were
securely sleeping in their beds, but ]
must at least except the village priest,
who sat in his solitary room reading a
large book beside bis we'll l-trimmed lamp,
and occasionally pausing and raising his
head as q blast more fierce than the
rest shook his little house to the very
foundation.
At the period of which we write, the
village of Biornborg numbered scarcely
three hundred souls, and the church
where the priest officiated stood at the
extreme end of the settlement, and
within hundred feet of the wave-wash-
ed shore.
As the venerable old man closed the
book lie fell into deep meditation.
His lamp began to burn dimly and the
solemn silence of his chamber was only
broken by the noise of the rushing sea
and the bowling of the gale. The hands
of the clock that stood in an angle of
the room had Just met at twelve, and
the priest was in the act of seeking his
couch, when there came loud knocking
at the door.
"Some of my people are i'll, I fear, 3"
murmured the good man as he unbarred
the door.
When he had done so. two masked
men covered by long cloaks, pushed
their way hastily into the apartment,
one of them abruptly informing him
that he must accompany them immedi-
ately to the church, as he was required
to celebrate marriage.
"Here |" exclaimed the man, finging
purse upon the table, "this will COM
pensate you for the trouble We are
about to give you"
As quickly as the priest could collect
his thoughts he mildly demonstrated,
explaining that he was not permitted to
perform such a solemn rite without
those preparatory formalities which the
law required.
"Cease that nonsense, "cried the man,
drawing pistol and putting the muzzle
against the old mans head. "Do our
bidding without murmur, for unless you
obey, swear that I will shoot you"
The poor priest trembled and turned
pale. 6" I shall be ready in moment, "
be replied, and caught up his hat and
stick.
"Come along" exclaimed the men as
they stepped forth, followed by the un-
willing clergyman.
The rain had ceased falling and big
rift in the clouds occasionally showed a
CLEAN of the moon.
81 thought the gale would abate
about midnight" remarked one of the
men to his fellow.
A simple " "humph! |" was the only re-
sponse.
"We must be off before daylight" 1"
he continued, "but we shall have a
terrible sea. for the boats. Hear how
the surf beats on the shore"
"Humph! came again from his
companion's lips, and then they relapsed
into silence.
AS they emerged from behind one of
the sand hills which surrounded the
village, the priest started with surprise
to behold his church illuminated. He
gazed ut the men as they strobe by his
side, and they appeared like specters to
his heated imagination. Matters seemed
to him like dream. A few moments
more and they were at the church por-
tails.
"Stand!" commanded one of the
men. The priest obeyed, and quickly
found bandags placed over his eyes.
"Take my hand" said the man.
Again the priest obeyed, and was led
rapidly through the door. A number
of voices as if disputing met his ear,
but almost Immediately the sounds
ceased and all became quiet.
Arriving in front of the altar, the cov-
ering over his eyes was removed, aud he
could observe about dozen persons
masked and keeping close in the shadow
of the walls. The large candles on the
altar were burning brightly still there
were portions OF the church over which
indistinct shadows fitted. In one of
these arches the old priest strained his
eyes, as he thought he beheld the gar
ments of a woman. Nor was he mis-
taken. But that which suddenly caused
his heart to shrink with dread, was to
behold the slab which covered the vault
OF Francis Krynszloft removed from its
place and standing on its end against
one of the pillars that supported the
roof.
Krynszloft, q r. ~ old land owner who
had been dead nearly century, had
built the church, being careful to stipu-
late that his body should rest in the
tomb which was built in the middle aisle
of the ediGce.
As the good priest gazed down the
building, tall man issued from one OF
the gloomy shadows, leading lady
who was magnifcently appareled, and
who seemed scarcely able to walk, SC
uncertain were her steps. Both fig
ures were masked. The man was as
splendidly attired as his companion, and
his tall form and military carriage in.
duced the belief that he was no common
parsonage. Behind him came the per.
sons who had been grouped by the