Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-24


Three hours had elapsed since the last cere-
| monies had been performed, and the church
| presented a striking and imposing scene, cal-
| culated to impress weak and wavering
| minds the terrors of religion. The rays OF
| the moon striking on the painted window
| panes threw strange figures over the white
and lofty walls, while the different effects Of
| light and shadow gave to the images of the
saints a fantastic and unusual appearance.
The altar was still hung with black, in the
middle of the church yet stood, covered over
with black cloth spligged with silver, the
| stools on which the coffin had been placed,
and from the pillars around still hung the
escutcheons Of the late countess. 1t was
solemn spectacle, and occasionally the moon
hidden by cloud, left the whole in dark
ness, which was only relieved by the flicker
ing and uncertain flame of the lights around
the altar.
Suddenly a slight noise was heard, foot
step, man carrying lantern and long ex-
tinguisher appeared 1t was the sexton. He
went his rounds in silence, and rs he returned
suddenly dropped his extinguisher and uttered
| q loud exclamation.
The cause of his surprise and alright was a
man leaning against pillar, immovable, and
SO weak, suffering, that apparently he had
not strength enough to drag him from the
CnuICn WDcn inc liSu Dell lltitl lOIlCu, HIS uIJ
and snken eyes were fixed on the face of the
sexton and his right hand supported his
aching brow
"Bountiful providence, is it a ghost!" said
Maitre Arnoux, the sexton; and as he pro-
nounced these words he let his lantern shine
full upon the stranger
"What are you doing here sir Z" said he,
when he found he had to deal not with Il
ghost, but with young and handsome man.
1.-The church is closed
The person to whom these words were adj
dressed, answered only by a half suppressed
groan; his limbs gave way, and he fell on the
pavement
May my good saint, st. Anthony, help
me-" excl limed Maitre Arnoux ." what am
to do with this man! | verify believe he is
half dead"
As he uttered these words, he shook him
violently Ivy the sleeve; and filling his hands
with holy water, bathed his temples. The
yonng man opened his eyes.
" | am very weak indeed said he in a low
and faltering voice. My suilerngs have
overwhelmed me Il Have YOU no cor
dial, good man ~
II have but one" replied the sexton,
which is excellent for recalling one to sense
good wine"
Yes think a little wine might restore
, re-"
well, then, my friend, you must crawl
p to my cell; for it would he offending the
lints to drink here. y
Assisted by Armour, the young man
reached little door that opened into the
church, and, having assembled winding
tarcasc, found himself in the rooms of the
.Xton who Immediately poured out some
inc for him.
Ivy ell friend do facl hatfa,. no
Much, much better" replied Eudor, while
IS companion emptici large glass
; True Burgundy" exclaimed Armour,
-rking the table with the cup he had just
nptied.
The cups were again filled; but ono merely
,, Used his to his lips while the other throw
nnsef back, and scrupulously swallowed
.e last drop of the nectar.
Ills eXcelleucy the archdeacon does not
,lli any to compare to it,, exclaimed the
ton in his bacchanalian enthusiasm; Il
i tell you tho whole story"
Eudor listened with imrarturhable sang
id to all the stories of his companion
.hich became more AID more obscure after
. very cuptul. The cnormous face of the sex
t IA sLone with a color OF the brightest red
lis eyes wandered; he smiled stupidity A,
e Isl, after emptying his cup for the thirteenth
"a -. -
f ''' r"' NJ Vi i."~ 90 "'Io" h"ca -. ul'
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AZ OnlS instant t'le CLOCK struck tne docto
l. '"ll'eu tno SLOW P'oc,c',lS slFo"ea WIZ
= "IIol-ne couhteu Ten en- OA'ortuhuii
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