The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-07-26
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cred myself up, in the very worst oftemper,
with my clothes torn on the briars and
spattered with mud, noticed kind Of al
cove in the wall, which the bushes had all
WAYS hidden before. A moment later,
forgot my woes in the discovery of low
oaken door, heavily barred with iron, and
ornamented with great lock, with its key
still IN place. To my surprise it turned
without much effort (iorI supposed it would
be rusted beyond my strength)j and, push
ing the heavy door inward, saw what at
first seemed great black hole, but the light
struggling family in showed the gloomlest
af dungeons, hewn out Of the solid rock,
with fluted stone pillar in the centre, and
tiny window toward the top, which served
for little more than to show the thickness
of the stone wall"
"That was indeed a discovery l wonder
how many miserable wretches have been
made to end their days in this dreary hole =?
hope your eyes were not greeted with the
cheerful spectacle of skeletons lying on the
door2 In place of this kind, one should
expect such unpleasant sights"
Chow horrible l wonder was brave
enough to open the door. / did not venture
far in, assure you, and if there was any
thing dreadful there, did not see it."
"Strange that such a place could have
existed all these years without our knowl-
edge ?" said Emil. Are you sure none of
the farm-servants know of it? 1t may be
only disuscd beer-cellar, or something
equally unromantic."
81 am sure that nobody at the farm at
present has the least idea that dungeon is
uudeath the house, or should have heard
them speak of it. To the servants, the ra-
vine is only a desolate place, where moss,
weeds and lizards run roit, and is Stunned
in consequence. have told my secret to
no one but you, and thought we might ex-
plore the place together with candles, and
perhaps afterwards find out something of its
history. Do you approve"
"My interest and curiosity are fully ex-
cited. l would dive to the bottom of this
mystery at once if only had more time"
"Can we not so now? Darkness makes
no difference where il is always night; and
could bring candle and matches without
delay"
"No, Julie; I have overstayed my time
already, and we have not talked of half that
was uppermost in my mind. We must wait
till my next stolen visit to explore your
haunt for bats and hobgoblins."
"There is no danger of any one stealing
from us the glory of our discovery, for the
bushes form a perfect screen to the door.
You will come again at this hour, Emil"
eyes, darling, unless the Germans have
driven us from our country, which God for
bid"
1t was at the close OF bright October day,
when Julie again stood, like a graceful
statue, beside the stone wall, her trysting
place for so many evenings She held, hal
hidden in the folds of a thick shawl, Ian.
tern and box of matches.
At the sonud Of whistle from below. SHE
left her retreat, with an elastic step, and
with the sure-looted grace of a peasant girl
sprang over the broken wall, and aided by
her lovers strong arm, made the rather per
ilous descent into the ravine.
"This way, Emil. Draw that alder busf
aside. Therel Do gou you see the little
door, behind that heavy curtain of ivy?"
"By all the powers this reminds one o
the torture dens of the middle ages. Ugh
what hole"
Julie had, in the meantime turned tn,
key, and, setting the lighted lantern on tn,
/ stone floor, turned with a triumphant lool
toward her lover, as if to say, "was not my
discovery worth all the Importance l CAV,
it?"
But the words were frozen on her tongu
, by the sound of shot, fired in the court
yard above. More followed, and then tn
cry of "Help-the Germans are upon US .
r from some of the servants.
"Stay here! You will only be takel
| prisoner and killed, if they see you !" cre
t Julie, who well nigh beside herself wit
4 fright, pushed Emil into the dungeon, an,
throwing the shawl aud matches after hiln
shut and locked the door before he ha
time 10 demonstrate.
All resistance Oh his part was silence
Immediately to all the outer world, as fror
that solid stone chamber no sound coul
penetratej and Julie, hiding the key in he
bosom, few like a deer toward the farm
yard, murming over and over to herself:
= "Thank heaven, he is safe 70
An exciting scene presented itself to tn
girls eyes as she drew near the house.
group Of German soldiers, in scarlet an
blue uniforms, with glittering brass helmets
stood gesticulating and talking angrily wit
the frightened .arm servants over the bod
of fine sheep, with a bullet hole through it
head, which prey some of the braver of tn
n women, with screams of indignation, strov
4 to withhold from the clutches of the soldier
Julie gazed for moment in mute disma
= and then started forward to order the intrr
l ders away, with the imperious voice an
}, manner for which the pretty little chatelai'
S of Les I'lieuiS was noted, when occasion r,
e Qured.
At the same Instantly an unlueky chanc
the report of musket echoed from benin
u the granaries.
IS Denis, in his zeal to protect his youn
d mistress and her belongings from the hate
y ios, had seized the one rusty weapon at h
: command, and reckless as to whether the
transgrassion merited so severe a punisl
2 ment, had fired into the group of soldiers.
1l Breathless and pale with excitemeet,
staggered forward with his uneven gait, a
p ready repenting his hasty act.
Cries of flamentation and fright arose fro
the women, and Denis, peering trembling
- over the shoulder of one of them, saw VIII
- curdled his blood with horror
=, Julie, his masters beloved daughter, an
1. the light Of his own eyes, lay senseless
- Toinettes arms, with the silky fairness
= one long plait of hair marred by the bio