The state herald., 1892-06-10
HIS REPENTANCE.

Inc chateau OF Plorneuf was the
terror OF the Breton people. The
country folk made tho sign OF the
cross as they passed BY and murmured.
There Is the accursed ones castlcr
About the walls that sur
rounded the grounds was a briel
hedge which no one dared TO cross
The servants passed each other b,
like shadows afraid TO speak above
a whisper No one dared to addres.
the MASTER Only tho young Couu,
Robert found favor In tho eyes OF the
lord OF tho manor the old Duke dc
Kerberzorf. his uncle.
AT the time when this story begins
Robert was seated at tho old mans
feet Ho was seated in the grca'
ducal chair; his chair; his face wa:
livid. mis- eyes cleaning and his ccun.
tenancc distorted with fear. He wa.
listening intently. ono would have
said that ho was the ghost OF terror.
Beside him on poryhyry column
burned u small golden lamp set with
precious stones. Behind it stood "A
tall negro. who, as each minute passed.
let fall single drop OF oil upon the
flame Close to tho old mans with.
cred hand lay an AK. and tho negro
would have atoned with his life for q
single forgetfulness Of duty.
The duke was even paler than
usual; his long white hair was matted
upon his temples and from his ter
ror-str.cken eyes great tears rolled
down into his silver beard.
My dear lord, IS your suffering
worsc?" asked Robert gently.
The duke shuddcred; he was still
listening intently.
Then the old duke rose up like n
specter.
Listen. Robert" he said. List
en-" The old man had not spoken
for twenty years. His sepulchral
voice echoed through the great hall.
and the ancient armor hanging on tho
walls gave forth n metallic sound.
The young count was pctriflcl with
fright
Twenty years ago ] had son; he
was handsome, brave and generous
lie loved u young peasant cir! and
wished TO marry her but refused my
consent; l could not countcnance ouch
an outrage. My son pleaded with me.
but was inHexiblo; my escutcheon
would have been etcrnaliy disgraccd
! was wrong, my boy. l was wrong
Never give way to pride! II Is n NOR
ial sin!n Sobs chokcd the old man 5
utterancc but he continues;
IA
virtuous I offered her money; she
refused IL Then had her carried
of and imprisoned In tho tower OF
the castle Several months passed.
my son was faithful TO his word. ] to
my PRIDE. decided to kill the
maiden. SO sent word to her secretly
TO escape Mt the first opportunity. A
silkon ladder was given her. and she
was carefully instructed rs TO It's use
and how 10 fasten II 10 tho window.
She prepared for flight Then |
arranged an Infamous trap for her.
Listen Robert listen! had the
stones OF the window sill loosened. so
that 1t would give way beneath her
weigh, carrying the unfortunate girl
with 1t ms 1t fell, and she would be
dashed to piecos upon the marble
floor OF tho courtyard below.
That night foil asleep In tho fear
Of God. Then | was transported 10
an immensely OF clouds lnnumer-
nblo arches followed each other In
never ending succession. Beneath
these arches small golden lamps were
swinging gently TO and fro so numer'
Gus that It would have taken years to
count them. Some burst suddenly
into flame others were rs suddenly
| cxtinguishod. Some burned with n
fierce light others fickcrod for n long
timc before they died out completely.
Zach ono OF these lamps was
guarded by an angel All tho new
lamps were tended by fair white nm
gels with faces OF unspeakable beauty
by o,hors stood black angels ugly and
OWL looking and those seemed "a
await with impatlcnco tho moment
when tho flame, should DO finally OK
tlngulshed.
What Is all thisP I asked my
guide
These lamps arc tho souls o.
men ho replied. Tho ones which
s,nrt suddenly into flame arc the soul
OF new born infants and spoiloss AN
gels guard them. Horo are tho soul'
of those who have reached tho timo o
llic when thoy can think for them
selves aud tho Spirit OF Evil and tho
splri, of Good dispute thoir posses
sion Those lamps which arc flicker
Ing and fading out nro tho souls OF lh'
dying socr he cried. pointing on
soyornl flames which wore on the poin'
of extinction. sect Mt the suprom,
moment tho soul almost always turns
to ,b, Spirit of Goodp
"1hon | asked him TO show me my
own lamp
(" Comet said tho strange boinl
who conducted me-
Lending mo on through innumor
nblo arches We wont on and on for !
long tlma Thon stopping suddenly,
soei' ho rnid. behold thy soul'
was petrihod with terror Ono sinpl,
drop OF oil remained In my lamp nnt
over IL hoyorca nm angel with con
blnuk wings who blow upon tho liant
% mnltoit burn out moro quickly,
was In mortal fear and ] was COW
nrd,.sos | wns coward said th'
duke trembling violently.
Listen. Robert liston' Beside mi
lnmp burned another with s,ondy
and brilliant iinmoi white wingot
angel watched over tho golden vessel
ga. .ui.it nj aNtI emma and w hlHpprat