Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-03-08

taOle. More WINE WAS called for, and
presently Margaret entered, bearing n
fagon of the ruby liquor, which she of
tered first to the stranger. He looked at
ner earnestly, for her features reminded
him of some one ne had known in former
years, and impaired her name. The
young girl answered with modest grace
and having served the wine, retired to
the end of the hall to await further orders.
The various subjects OF discussion were
gradually dropped as 1t grew late. At
last the general silence enabled tho com
pany to hear conversation, in low
tone, held between two Of toe citizens.
But have you really belief in this ?''
asked one.
Certainly" ,"replied the other. 1.-The
watchman told me tie story himself, and
| have hesrd Of several who have seen
/ the specter in times past"
"What is it about a specter % asked
the stranger.
The burgher answered respectfully:
II CpHceTnS TutncE, SIT, tHdJ nus
somewhat puzzled our townfok. Thore
Is IN the charchyard, in the eastern di-
vision, an ancion: .omb, vaulted as they
were in former times, and so detaced that
the inscription cannot be read None,
therefore, know who lies there. His
name and race, perhaps, if known, would
] Ia l., Al j..
will not remain buried, and for years it
has been reported that on the eve OF
certain holidays the dead man forsakes
the tomb, and walks about the burial
ground. The present sexton, whose
father has often seen him, told me, but a
short time since, that when he opened the
tomb to deposit therein another corpse,
he received blow from nm invisible
hand, hard as il given 10y a skeleton, that
felled him to the ground, and thOt voice
MT the same time whispered, Bring ne
one here until myself can lie down in
the grave in peace.
Amazement and supcrstitious feal
were expressed in the countenances of all
present. The stranger motioned to the
burgher to go on.
"The SEXTON" he continued, was
naturally overcome with terro". He has
never since dared to pass tho spot after
nightfall."
The watchman, i" said another, "once
saw the phantom at midnight, but did
not venture to speak to it"
1t walks at midnight, then ?" asked
the stranger.
From that to one /; but only on the
eve Of some holiday" answered the first.
But any time one may see tho bleached
skeleton through the open door of the
tomb. They say the earth will not cover
the accursed bones, because the dead man
1 left unexpatcd some fearful crime. Thus,
1 he lies unburied, and Will be so until the
curse is removed. The stones arc mol.
dering away and will soon fall in ruins
A strange tale, in sooth," observed
the stranger. 4" / have II mind to visit
the spot myself, and this very night for
surely to night the spirit will walk
abroad But am feeble, and the night
is raw and cold. Yet, ms Il physician, /
am SO curious to know the truth that !
will amply reward any ono who will go
and bring me token that he has actually
been at the place. | would not scrupe to
give 100 gold pieces"
There was silence, among the company
Mono seemed willing TO undertake the
expedition. At last Margaret, tnd and
trembling, came forward:
II ala ready, sir" she said, "to go
for the sum you PROMISE"
You-a delicate girl-and at mid
night ~ exclaimed the physician.
YOU, Margaret?" repeated several
guests.
Yes ~ answered the Girl, resolutely
~ have need OF that sum"
" Let her alone !" cried the host
:" Let us soc how far her presumption will
lead her."
What shall bring as token p
asked Margaret.
The stranger drew gold ring from his
finger.
=" ? ut this ring" said he, "en the fn-
ger Of the skeleton. In the morHing |
will see it it is there and il find you
have todd me the truth, the hundred
pieces will be yours"
Franz, the only person who felt suffi
cient interest in Margaret to oppose her
solitary and perilous walk, was in his
chamber, and no one else withstood her.
The girl left the room, wrapped herself in
cloak and walked with rapid steps to-
ward the chugchyard.
Not until Margaret was in the bur ial
ground, and near the end Of her walk,
did her resolutions begin to give way
She stood now clsse by the dilopidated
tomb. The stones hsd falon away from
the entrance, so that the vault within was
quite exposed. The pale moonlight fell
through tae wide gaps above, and gleam-
ed on the white bones Of "A skeleton, dis
tinctly seen as it lay upon the ground -
1t was fearful thing thus TO see the So.
crets Of the grave disclosed. Ali that
Margaret had heard Of the tales current
among the people concerning The dead the
earth refused to cover who, for somo
namaess crime, had been condemned to
melder in the sight Of living men-came
back to her recollection, and filed her
with sense Of sickening horror. The
scene around was not calculated to reas-
sure her. Far as she could see was city
of graves. The silent mounds, the mar
Bio nonnnants. sown fhicklg ON eyerv