Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-07-25

passage, III n.ulctl, long anu liiTIoW, III
the depths of which could see the figures
of nuns fitting to and fro like bats in Il
tomb The ahbess walked down the pas
sage till she came to door OIL the right,
which she opened. 1t led into cell, and
here she left me in the dark. For 10 min
utes or moro I staid there, a prey to
thoughts that 1 had rather forget. At
length tho door opened again, and sho
came in, followed ny tall priest whose
face could not see, for he was dressed in
the white robe and hood Of the Dominicans,
that left nothing visible except his eyes.
"Grceting, my son." he said when ho
had scanned me for awhile. 1.-THE mother
abbess has told me of your errand. You
are full young for such task.
"Were old should not love it better,
fath r. You know the case. I am asked
to provide o deadly drug for a certain
merciful purpose. have provided that
drug, but I must be there to SEQ that it is
put to proper usc."
''You are very cautious, my son. The
church is no murdercss. This woman
must die because her sin is fragrant, and
Of late such wickedncss has become COM
mon. Therefore after much thought and
prayer and many searchings to find q
means Of mercy she is condemned to death
by those whose names are too high to be
spoken. T, alas, am hero to SEQ the SEN
tence carried out with certain mitigation
which has been allowed by the mercy Of
her chief judge. 1t seems that your pres
ence is needful to this act Of love; there
foro suffer it. The mother abbcss has
warned you that evil dogs tho feet of those
who reveal tho secrets of the church. For
your own sake pray you to lay that
warning to heart. I"
IT am no babbler, father, so the caution
is not needed. Ono word more This visit
should bo we'll feod; tho medicine is cost
ly."
"Fear not, physician" the monk an
swered, with q note of scorn in his voice
Name your sum; it shall be paid to you. !"
IT ask no money, father. Indeed I
would pay much TO be far away tonight
I ask only that I may be allowed to speak
with this girl before she dies. "
''What!" no said, starting. "Surely you
are not that wicked manS If SO, you are
bold indeed to risk the sharing of her fate. !"
mo, father, am not that man. nov
er saw Isabella dc Siguenza except once
and have never spoken to her. am not
the man who trickcd her, but I know
him. He is named Juan dc Garcia.
"Ah," he said quickly, 'shc would never
tell his real name, even under threat of
torture. Poor erring soul, she could be
faithful in her unfaith. Of what would
you speak to her?"
II wish to ask her whittier this man has
gone He is my enemy, and would fol-
low him as I have already followed him
far. He has done worse by me and mine
than by this poor girl even. Grant my re-
quest, father, that may be able to work
my vengeance on him, and with minc the
churchs also"
"'Vcngeance is mine saith the Lord
II will repay Yet it may be, son, that
the Lord will choose you as the instru.
ment of his wrath. opportunity shall
be given you to speak with her. Now put
on this dress he handed me white
Dominican hood and robc-"and follow
me-"
First, I said, let me give this mcdi-
cine to the abbcss, for will have 10 hard
in its administering. Take il, mothcr, and
when the time comes pour the contents of
the vial into cup Of water. Then, hav.
ing touched the mouth and tongue Of the
babe with the fluid, give it to the mother
to drink, and be sure that she docs drink
it. Before the bricks arc built up about
them both will sleep sound, never to wake
again"
''I will do it," murmurcd the ahhcss.
''Having absolution, I will be bold and do
it for love and mcrcy's sakc!"
Your heart is 500 soft, sister. Justice
is mercy" said the monk, with a sigh.
'Alas, for the frailty of the flesh that wars
against the spirit''
Then I clothed myself in the ghastly
looking dress, and they took lamps and
motioned to me to follow them.