Evening journal., 1891-07-22

snail De sure OF u told him we would be
at home, so we shall see"
Kerwan had heard enough, and deter
mined TO leave the house quietly, so that
the girls might not suspect he had over
heard their conversation. Placing the
opera tickets on the table, he stole down
into the hall and in another moment was
in the street, without having been seen by
any OF the family.
How he wished that something might oc-
cur to keep st. George away that EVENING"
Maria might then perhaps favorably CON
trast his devotion with the soldiers indif-
ference. He knew that ST. George had
been unexpectedly prevented going to the
dance by being Obliged to take another
officers duty, and there was chance of
his having to do so again this day So he
resolved to 20 TO the barracks and find out,
under pretext OF visit to Mr. Neville, who
had asked him to inquire about a hunter
he was anxious to purchase.
Just at this moment drag drove up
| with that young warrior on the box, who
hailed the squire and drew up with crash.
They were going to hear celebrated choir
| at St Patrick's church. Would he Gomez
lie at once Joined the party, among whom
was St. George.
After the service, as they were looking at
| quired If they would like to see the crypt.
On their asserting, he lis torch and shey
descended into the vaults.
| Young Neville soon declared he had had
enough Of it, and ran mp tbs steps, followed
/ by all his companions except St. George,
who was looking at an inscription at the
far end Of the crypt
As kerwan turned and looked back at
the soldierly figure Of the hnssar, the da-
bolical idea occurred to him to keep his
dangerous rival out Of the way for that
evening
In an instant he pushed the heavy door
OF the vault which shut with loud bang.
leaving the poor young officer in semi
darkness and a prisoner.
The rest Of the party went gaily back to
their quarters without having observed tbs
absence OF their friend.
Half frightened aud half exultant at
what he had done, kerwan returned to his
Motel, and lost no time in presenting him
self at Mrs Eraser's tea table. where he
was cordially welcomed by that lady and
her eldest daughter, but scarcely noticed
by Maria
That young lady employed herself by
standing on the balcony, watching the hall
door and listening to every footstep in the
street.
As the squire stealthily observed her
anxious and preoccupied air, he thoaght
with grim satisfaction that she would not
see 81 George enter the house that oven
ing at all events.
Thinking it was now time TO release his
prisoner, kerwan excused himself for ieav-
ing so early, and bade the ladies good night.
As he left the house he looked up at the
drawing room windows; the lamps shone
out brightly, and he could hear Miss Fraser
singing, but Maria was leaning motionless
over the balcony and gazing sorrowfully
down the street.
herwan turned angrily away, and hail
ing cab drove to the sexton's house.
which was close to the church. He in
tended to get the old man to open the door
OF the vault under the pretext of having
lost pocketbook, which he thought he
must have dropped in the crypt, and which
he wished to search for Immediately. Jal
knocked long and loudly at the door but
no one answered; he could not make hims
self heard by any one in the street. AT
last an old man who passed by told him the
sexton was not &C home, but would return
IN an hour, as he had only gone to see a
friend As it was now nearly daylight
kerwan determined to walk up and down
and await his return. At last he ap-
peared, and both men went at once to the
church.
On the door of the vault being opened
Kerwan expected TO see the hussar rush
out, but there was neither voice nor sound
in the crypt All WAS silent as the dead
that had lain there for centuries
A dreadful fear crept over Kerwan as a
shout Of horror from the sexton drew him
quickly into the vault
There lay the unfortunate young officer
stone deadl The poisonous air, of the
vault and horror Of his situation hstkilled
himl
Years after inaSpanish monastery was
monk who had brought much wealth. to
the community, and whose self inflinted
penances were so severe that the brothe
suspected his mind was burdenedlbR re-
morse and they judged rightly
Some few days after Maria Ffasen had
last seen the i'll fated hussar Mr. Neville
brought her letter found in the desk Of
his late brother officer IL was dinected to
her and asked her to be,his wife.
She never married, and could NOT forget
ST. George, who was her first love and her
laSt-IO IOndOu Saciptv.