The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-02-27
- e lie q t II u q .
The BLACK MASKS

year 1918 the country around the
ancient town OF Louvaino, in Bcl.
GUM was infested by biud of rob-
bsrs. whose organization was 80 per-
feet aud whose movements were so
su lden snd mysterious that, although
they spread death and DISSOLUTION IN
every direction. yet the officers of
tho Law failed utterly in all stteapts
10 bring them to justice.
The members Of this fearful league
we're reported to be young mon of
good family, and the lea'lcr was de-
scrbed by comnonrepurt as n maa
Of noble presence, soldier~like benr-
ing, and most indomitable courage.
joined to u mind dark and cunning,
aud heart that was stranger to
iemorse or pity.
This formidable baud was known
far aud wide rs the BLACK Aiasis, s.
for all accounts agreed in descsibne
them as clothed completely in black
anil having their faces cosered with
black mas ks. However. the mystery
surrounding them WAS dissipitcd
anil their devas.aiions bsou,;at TO !,
termination by tho iecidsnt am
about to relate.
There lived at the period to which
] refer, in the snhurbs of Lourain.
wo, thy iritc, Father t;ervaise by
name, aud with him resided the son
of an only sister 50 ne time dec d..
whose education Father Gervaisu
had superintenled, anl whose mins
hood he had watched with almost n
fathers care.
Julian had just entered his TWEEN,
ty.frst year hs was tall, nearly il
not quito six feet, well formed, with
handsome face. lie was also vel
educated, accomplished aud agree,
bic, SO that his company was eagerly
sought, m ,rs especi.llv by tioso Ia
dies having marriageable daughters
Only one thing in relation to his
nephew troubled Father Gervaise
and that was his very frequent and
prolonged absence at night.
Oue evening in the month OF Feb
nary they were seated together in
the comfortable library Of Fathe,
Gcrvaises res dence, enjoying the
warmth Of a blazing wood fire, wheI
o ascdden summon came for the cur
ate to attend tho death bed of one
OF bis parishopers, who lived ut 4
considerable distance.
Without q moments hesitation
this excellent man arose from tue
soft cushi ms OF the arm chair in
which he had been reposing, ant
gathering the folds Of his cloak about
him, set forth.
The wind blew fercely in his teetl
and dreary sheet drove in his face
but still. with stout heart, Fathe
Gervaise kept on his way, and in o.
bout an hour had arrived ut his dos
tination. He was just in time t.
administer the last rites and conso
lations Of religion to the dying, anG
after remaining about half aD hour
TO afford what comfort he might tt
the mourning survivors, he set on
on his return.
He had walked perhaps,a mile
when suddenly hu was startled iron
his reverie by tho clatter Of wha
seemed a troop Of horses. Pausing
DO looked around he could So
nothing. but still heard distinctl
the sound, and all the time it DIRE,
nearer. Presently, bowever. comiu,
around o turn 10 the road at full gal
lop. q party Of about q dozen men
mounted on feet steads. dashed pas
him,aud through the darkness Faith
Or Gervaise was just able TO distin
guish that each rider wore over hi
Iace black mask.
lie had not proceeded many step
further before, on passing q house
ne was astonishsd to see o li2h
burning, and the door wide oper
Conjecturing at once that this h~
been the sospe Of ono Of the mid
night exploits OF the bold robber'
Father 0eevHiee entered. and hi
eoepioion6 Woro teryIhly oooGgineI
y 6udlo olSetohe.l ~ dsalh aerpq