The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-01-16

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 plsce and
standing on It's end against one Of the
pillars that supported the roof.
Krynszlolt, a rieh old land owner who
had been dead nearly a century, had
built the church, being careful TO stipu.
lac that his body should rest in the tomb
which was buils in the middle aisle of the
edifce.
As the good priest gszed down tbs
building, a tall man issued from one Of
the gloomy shadows, leading lady who
seemed scarcely able to walk, 80 uncar-
tain were her steps. Both figures we7s
masked. The man was SIS splendidly ct
tired as his companion, snd his tall form
and military, carriage induced the belief
that he was no common parsonage. Be-
hind him cane the persons who had been
grouped by The walls.
1t was a strange sight at that lonely
hour Of the night to see an old gray
headed priest trembling with lear and
surrounded by unknown men ara wo-
men, compelled to celebrate a marriage
with an open tomb in view.
The first thought that rushed 10 the
mind of TIE good man was, that after he
had performed the ceremony, they
would murder him, cast his body into the
vault, replace the slab, and his late would
perhaps never be revealed, for none OF
the bones Of the KrynzsIo't family, save
old Francis, would ever repose there,
But he quickly dismissed this thought,
as he could conceive no reason for them
to sill an inoAensive man living il su
obscure part of the empire and scarcely
known beyond the confines Of Biornborg
His reflections, however, were cut short
by the man reckoning bis attendants tc
close about him, and then in an imperi
Gus tone commanding the priest to pro
coed with his office. SummOning all the
courage he could command, the priest
inquired the name of the bride and bride
groom.
nicholas and CastaIie,7 replied thu
bridegroom ,sterEly.
At the sound Of his voice the poor lady
trembled violently, and more than ono
appeared about to fall. Once or twic
the priest was Oh the point Of positivel.
refusing to conduct marriage unde
such equiyOcal circumstances, but th
sight of the open tomb shook his mOmer
tary resolution, for he was not q courage
Gus person,
Proceed proeeedw commanded ii
man, in an impatient tone.
Not daring any longer to delay, the oil
priest began the ceremony, but he was S
! bewi dered that he made many mistake
3 which, however, were not observed b
3 those present. Perhaps they wei
4 ignorant of matters like this. At lengt
t he came to the question, "Wilt thou
d Nicholas, acknowledge Castalie, who no
. kneeIs beside thee, to be thy lawful
welded wife?"
81 will P' was the reply, in tones th'
rang through the arches of the buildinl
1 80 sternly we're they pronounced.
The reply, for some unknown reason
:, produced s marked sensation among Il
q makers, for a low murmur came fro
/ their midst.
And thou, Usstslie," continued Il
priest, "wilt thou acknowledge as th
g lawfully welded husband, Nicholas, WI
/ kneels beside thee?"
t Il will" came in a voice that WI
only just audible, and which quivere
It with evident fear,
|, A moment more and the woman san
o on the stone floor with cry of anguis
e Several of the party gathered srOur
v her, and one raised her head while Il
bridegroom poured some drops from
/, vial on her lips. 1t was amid this CO..
9 fusion that the priest concluded Il
ceremony.
, Again the bandage was placed over b
eyes, and he was led out of the churcl
, Once without he was given the use
!, his sight, with the injunction to hurr
, to his home, and, upon the peril of b
life, never to speak Of that nights occu
renee. Instantly, then, the men !
entered the church and closed the doc
and thepIiest could hear the bar adjuste
to prevent intruders.
But the cid man did not Immediate
proceed on his way. He knelt dow
upon the ground and applied his ear
the door-siu. He could hear loud an
angry tones from within, and sujdenl
there came a piercing shrek from 2 maj
followed by pistol-shot. Then all VS.
still Sprincing from his crouchiug pos
ton. the old man darted with ali th
= speed left him, toward the houses Of tn
villagers ior the purpose Of alsrmin
them. as he felt sure & deed OF terror an
, blood had just been enacted. But q
violent was his emotion, and so powerfr
hsd been the strain upon his uervou
system that, when be reached the doc
of John Isfranitz, he fell to the earth q
he knocked for admiJ,ance.
Some hours later the whole village VS.