The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-01
The White Hand.
1t was many centuries ago.

1t was many centuries ago. ...
In a guest chamber of black frowning
castle, rearing itself almost within the shad-
ow of the Bohmcrwald, sat two men.
They sat III darkness, save strange lurid
glow from fitful tiamo, darting, tongue
like, from the center OF a sort of u ohaflng-
dish of iron, shaped to the ghastly form of
u DEATHS head.
Both bent ihtently towards the tripod, on
which rested the ghastly dish, the younger,
and more wicked looking of the two with
sing-song incantation, as his breath min
gled with the deadly perfume floating on
the tongued flame.
Presently the lattor rose, his companion
instantly following his example. -
He looked half shrinkingly towards the
shadowy corners Of the great chamber, and
then back tn tho dish. s... ...r..... ,-.,l
"Ihc spell works, my lord," he mutter-
cd.
"Stir not Speak not, whatever you may
chance to sec or hearl What it will bo,
know not; but the shade comethl Behold"
And even rs lie spoke, a small lurld spark
suddenly glowcd on the floor among The
dismal shadows.
ltglowcd, shivcrcd. and swelcd IN height
and breadth till it stood a quaking column
OF ghastly light. ...# &. ... 81
Gradually the column took form, and
then quickly dissolving again into shapo-
less mass, 1t rs quickly flashed into millions
of diamond-llke coruscatlons, from which
suddenly gloomed a tall, black, spectral
selves.
In vain the necrom0nccrs breathcss
companion strove to discern Il feature of the
face glooming SO wicrdly there.
From the spectral form issued deep Sc
puchlal voice.
"You have summoned mc-what would
you2" slowly and socmnly tpiercd the
@r," answered the nccromancer,
Mlow awed tones. ''Gift us with
Power to gather a soul-.powcr to pol
lutte, to destroy2"
Given SO, master. Even the b cautiful
Lcona's, returned the nccromanccr.
"The White Hand protects her."
"But thou art strong MASTER"
"Thc White Hand is stronger"
"Alas MASTERY what shnll we dol"
A little pause followed the query, and
then the voice returned:
'I.ovc Is alluring--allurc by love-, and
Leona may fal ;"
''But is there no spell, master2',
"Oncl Listen IN silence or you mover
will know. Tal1c-"
A smvering, demoniac cry ended the sen
renee, and the BLACK shade covered TO tho
floor, while above it shone, beautiful an(
shapcly, marble-white hand. =
Another shivcring cry of mortal terror
and pain, and the spectral light and shape,
with the marblcwhitc hand disappeared
The tongned flame on tn Tipod shot ur
wildly for an instant, and t.cn died out
leaving nothing but tho deepest darkness
A tremendous oath from the necromanccl
broke tho horrible silence, as he groped for
means to light lamp.
AS its pale glow dispclcd few of the
shadows, he and his companion stared into
each others CHASTITY faces with wild eyes.
For little they stood thus, and then the
necromancer bisscd
ga moment more and | would have
learned the spell. My lord, there Is q ter
riblc power against us. What say your
''ro the end, to the cndl Lcona shall II
minc"
''lut, my lord, the knowledge of tho spcl
Is lcst--lost for ever"
''By love, then"
cit may fail, and then you are lost"
''l}c it'so."
AS these words were passlonatcly uttered
narrow panel was sof tly slipped in place
In the opposite wall, and in the next cham
bcr tall grcy-haircd man, of most vencra.
bic air, half tottcrcd to the communicating
chamber beyond.
He opened the door,