The Fort Worth gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-189?, 1891-05-07

nation that always came into her voice
when she was not obevcd
Again tho hand was raised for Il moment
CROPPED III the darkness. and sank down
into the shadow
Beatrice Varanger. you must do my Will
order you 10 open the door of the taiter-
nacie, 10 take cut what is within. and
throw it 10 the eround"' Her voice rang
clearly through the church. And may the
CRIME be on YOUR soul for ever and ever. >
she added. in low voice.
y third time the figure moved. y strange
fiash OF light played for a moment upon the
tabernacle. the effect. UnOrna thought, of
the golden door being suddenly opened.
But she was wrong. The figure moved,
indeed, aud stretched out u hand and moved
AGAIN Then the sudden crash of some
lhlng Very heavy, falling upon stone. broke
the great stlllueSS-the dark form tOttcred.
feeied and fell to its length upon the great
altar Cnorna saw that the golden door
was still closed, and that Beatrice had
fallen Unable TO move or act by her own
Tree judgment. ami compelled by Cnorna'S
determined command, she Iad maize Il deS-
perate effort to obey CnOrua had for
gotten that there was d raised step upon
the altar ITSELF and that there were other
obstacles III the way. including heavy
cannIestcks and the framed canon Of the
mass, all OF which are usually set aside be-
lore the tabernacle is opened BY the priest.
In attempting TO do as she was told, the
sleeping woman had stumbled, had over
balanced herself, had clutched one of the
great silver candlesticks, so that it fell
heavily beside her, and then, having no
lufther support, she had fallen herself.
Unorna sprang TO her feet and hastily
opened the gate of the railing. In mo-
nent she was standing by the altar at Bea
tflct' head. She could see that the dark
eyes We're open now. The great shock had
recalled her TO consciousness.
Where am I2'' she asked in great dis
tresS. seeing nothing III the darkness now.
and CROPPING with her hands
'Sleep-be silent and sleep,' said Unorna
IN low. firm tones, pressing her palm upon
the forehead
But, TO her amazement Beatrice thrust
hef aside with such violence that she al
NEST fell herself upon the steps.
.No-no.' cried the startled woman, in
voice OF horror. No / will not sleep-do
not touch me! Oh where am help!
help.''
She was not hurt. With one strong. 1.-THE
movement. she Sprang to the ground and
stood with her back TO the altar her hands
stretched out 10 defend her from Cnorna
But Unorna knew what extreme danger she
was in. if Beatrice left the church awake
and conscious of what had happened. She
seiZed the moving arms and tried 10 hold
them down, pressing her face forward so as
to look into the dark eyes she could but
family distinguish. 1t was no easy matter
however,for Beatrice was Young and strong
and active. Then all at once she began to
see Cnorna's eyes, as UEona could see
hers. and she felt the terrible influence
stealing over her again.
''No-no-no.'' she cried. struggling
desperately. You shall not make me
sleep. ] will mott Will not
There was Il flash OF light again in the
altar and the noise of quick footsteps. But
light or the sound. Then the full glow of
Il strong lamp fell upon the faces of both
and dazzled them, and Unorna felt Il cool,
thin hand upon her own. Sister Paul was
beside them. her face very white and her
faded eyes turned from the one TO the other.
1t was very simple. Soon after Compline
was over the nun had gone to UnornaS
room, had knocked and had entered. To her
surprise, CnOrna was not there. but Sister
Paul imagined that she had fingered over
her prayers and would soon return. The
good nun had sat down to wait for her. and
telling her beads. had fallen asleep. The
unaccuStomed warmth and comfort of the
guests room had been 100 much Tor the
WEAKNESS that constantly oppressed Il con-
stitution broken with ascetic practices. Ac-
customed by long habit to awake at mid
night to attend the service, her eyes opened
of themselves. indeed. buta full hour later
than usual. She heard the clock strike
one, and for moment could not believe her
senses. Then she understood that she had
been asleep, and was amazed u find that