The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-25

by searching Tor those deedE-they can
be easily found. Go into the small room
behind this one-do it SONS other time, for
my limit IS almost reached, and |. may not
exceed it-put your hand into tho recess in
the vsil on the left-hand side, IL you push
the wall firmly you will find one of the
stones is loose enough TO move. No doubt
it will require an effort on your part, for il
has remained undisturbed 80 long. But,
once removed, YOU will discover a small
iron box within the space revealed Bring
this with you. and meet me here tomorrow
night at the same hour. l trust you cried
the spectral fSiar. rising, II trust you. I
was faithless myself But in your hands I
place my longing for rest and peace. Be
mercifui, and lend me your aid; be pitiful,
and seek not to crafty your curiosity. /
sinned, and paid the penalty in iife-yea,
and beyond life; down into the dark shadows
that lie on the other side of death. | can
look into your soul 1t Is clear and unsul-
lied. throw myself on your honor. Fare
well"
He vanished. and the perplexed vicar
gathered himself together.
The hour was late; the household had
been slumbering this long time. Yet he
could not follow their example. Lighting a
taper be walked quickly through the door
way into the room Of which the friar had
spoken. This also was in the ancient part
Of the houGe, aud had been originally a
Guided by the directions he had received be
easily discovered the recess, and although
the rest Of the task was not quite so feast
bic, he eventually succeeded IN removing
the small box. aud depOsiting il in the safe
which stood in the study, he at last retired
to bis vellearned reDose. Al through the
day his mind was occupied with tie
narrative to which he had listened the night
before.
He found the tornbs of Adrian and
Lucills, his wife. He saw the splendid eff
fgy of Bertram, Earl of Grantchester. It
was all 80 real. SO wonderfully vivid TO his
fancy he stood there by those quaint rest-
ing pIaces and wondered how the grim
tragedy had ended. Did Sir Adrian ever
discover the wrong donei Or, had be been
justly punished for his offensesa Was the
story true; or wholly false-the invention
OF wicked man to foment quarrel and
provoke bitter stritel
And then he fell 10 speculating where the
Door Eormented body of the friar had been
laid; whether cross or stone marked the
spot, n Hhe her aforementioned and un-
known it lay among the unnumbered graves
OF the forgotten dead.
= ,.y =, =
Midnight arrived and again Adrian Ora
ham sat in his quiet study; opposite to him
was the frisr in his long robes of dusky
black, falling upon the rich colorinR of the
thick, soft Turkey carpet. From his girdle
there fell the worn rosary whose beads his
thin fingers had so often told, with the
carved figure of the Christus below, He
looked even more worn and frsll than on
the previous night.
On the table. between the men stood the
quaint boz of iron, strong and secure as
ever, although rusted by time.
open it," commanded the friar. And
Adrian Graham rose and lifted the worn
hasps, and raised the rusty lid. Within
lay the rusty parchmeutS. siust as the frtar
had left them in the long ego Past of
which he had spoken.
The vicar lifted the packet and laid it
down at the specter's right hand. He
fancied the cold. sad eyes lighted up with q
momentarY CLEAN of pleasure. But the
pessionless voice fell once more on his ear.
Burn it, my son !" it said, as from dis
lance, ''burn 1t; then shall have peace:
aud on thee. and on thine shall come bless
ing OF which can say nothing now. Molly
the promise made last night has been full
filed. Thou hast fulfilled thy trust; | but
betrayed MINIS" The new vicar flung the
packet into the flames. and watched it as
they leaped up it aud tore it In pieces By
the fierceness Of their devouring passion.
Slowly ii was consumed, until nothing.
save few ashes remained Of the evil-work-
ing deeds. Then he raised his head and
turned to where the friar had sbeen sitting
and 10 the chair was empty-the specter
had vanished. All that remained OF his
ghostly visitant was the GROSS of wrought
iron with the silver ChriStus raised upon
its surface, that had hung upon his
| worn, old rosary. He found this lying on
the carpet by the side of the friar's chair,
| quaint and old. fragrant with memories.
and hallowed by associations; he priced it
as a memento Of the sTrangest episode OF an
uneventful life, and. rising quickly, he
placed it solsmnly above the mantelpiece,
where 1t may be seen to-day. And the his
| tory of Adrian, of Luoilla, and OF Bartram
were left unfinished. By-and-by, Adrian
Graham brought his fair, young wife home
to Eaglescliff, and many a bright, young
form made the ancient homestead bright
with ringing laughter and gay Jest. But all
paused as they passed a certain old oak
chair, carved with many a quaint device,
aud soft young ingers were wont to stray
lovingly over the hard seat and straight
back, as the story of the mysterious visitant
was whispered from lip to lip.
But the friar's blessing fingered over the
household, for peace and love have there an
abiding place.
l TTHF ENn