Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-11-29

how could he explain his trespassing
presence in case any such arrest should
occur,
But, in reality, he gained the vault
quite unobserved. 1t was built of solid
granite in the side of slight hill. He
listened for moment, and then descend
ed the small fight Of steps leading in
ward to large metal door. Then he
inserted bis key in the lock. It fitted
perfectly, and quite soon aftarward he
nad passed within the interior of the
vault, leaving the metal door behind
him just enough ajar to admit certain
quantity of air, yet not enough SO as to
attract the notice Of any possible passer.
He now stood in pitchy darkness A
heavy smell as of fresh cut flowers at
once oppressed him. lie had ceased to
feel trepidation; his old magnificent
courage and coolness had come back to
him. Slowly he struck a match and
lighted one of his tapers. AS the flame
struggled from intense dimness into com
paratlve brightness the solemn, stone
wrought chamber became clearly visi
~ OOlileillSi bulSC SO.lllio, StAtl
laid in a separate niche. One was that
of Louis Bonds mother, one that OF his
father and one was his own The last
lay heaped over with wreaths and
crosses. All the inches were large, and
in manner took from the usual grim
ness of such receptacles by being un-
cramped and commodious of aspect.
Gerald had brought small sconce for
his candle, and now set both on the edge
of the empty niche, just above the casket
Of his friend He waited some time in
awed silence. To open the coffin was an
act from which he shrank most reluc-
tantly. And yet his sacred oath com
pelled him to perform this act. There
was only the usual lock to be pried
asunder, and for this purpose he had
brought with him capable instrument.
Presently be banished his repulsion.
How can there be the least de5ecration,'
he thought, when am only following
out LOUIS own earnest wishes? Besides
the VOW he once exacted from me there
is new stimulus il Brendas account of
that hidden paper"
And yet to spend three mortal hours
in this dismal vault, He began already
to feel that his nerve power, strong and
trustworthy rs it WAS, could scarcely en-
dure so drastic IN ordeal Still he must
make the effort. Looking at his watch
he discovered that only fifteen minutes
of the allotted time had already passed.
And yet they had seemed far more than
an hour.
One stout wrench with his chisel and
the coffin was pried apart. Hesoon looked
upon the calm. waxen face of Louis
How like, and yet how completely soul
less and irresponsive! What hope Of any
vital resurTectional sign could possibly
be drawn from this pallor and apathy.
He leaned closer above the still feat
ures, familiar and yet utterly changed.
He forgot the concealed paper of which
Brenda had told him, while he parted
from the dead mans breast and chin the
thick masses of flowers which lay there.
But he remembered, and with a piercing
force Of recollection, what he had bound
himself of old 10 use every mental effort
in desiring and yearnipg after.
Some of the flowers fell over upon the
stone flooring of the vault-loose camel
has and white roses, with perhaps few
glossy leaves of either. He meant to
stoop and pick them up, when suddenly
a strange and horrible thing occurred
The light went out. and it seemed to him
that as it did so sharp metallic sound
rang through the dead. abrupt darkness.
And then something struck him, with
"a light yet distinct, contact, fall on the
breast He lifted his hand and caught a
stiff square of glazed paper.
'The hidden letter. flashed through
his brain. He has given it to me him
self.''
For the first time in all his brave young
life Gerald Ravelow knew what it was
to be dazed and half mad with terror.