The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-08

She thought 0act1le- then thTeac OF heT
cloak.
hardly have won leave to come hither
upon an errand of mercy. Now, cannot
go back empty handed, so I&must trust
you. But first swear by the blessed MOtks-
Of God that you will not betray me. =
''I give you my word, I answered If
that is not enough, let us end this talk. "
'Do not be angry with me, y 'sheplead-
ed s'I have not left my conventwaals for
many years, and I am distraught with
grief T seek poison of the deadliest. I
willpay well for it.
E ssI am not the tool of murderers, an
swered For what purpose do you wish
the poison?''
s'Oh, I must tell you-yct how can 1?
In our convent there dies tonight woman
young and fair-almost girl indeed
who has broken the vows she took. She
dies tonight with her babe--thus, 0 God,
thuss-by being built alive into the foun-
:dations of the house she has disgraced. 1t
is the Judgment that has been passed upon
her-judgnent without forgiveness OF re-
prieve. I am the abbess Of this convent
ask not its name or mine-and love this
sinner as though she were my daughter. I
have obtained this much of mercy for her
because of my faithful services to the
church and by secret influence when
give her the cup Of water before the work
is done I may mix poison withit and touch
the lips of the babe with poison, so that
their end is swift may do this and yet
have no. sin upon my soul. i have my par
don under seal. Help me, then, to be an
innocent murderess and to save this sin
ner from her last agonies on earth.
I cannot set down the feelings with
which I listened to this tale Of horror, for
words could not carry them. I stood aghast,
seeking an answer, and dreadful thought
entered my mind.
SIS this woman named Isabella de Sig
uenza?'' asked.
ssThat name was hers in the world, )"
she answered, though how you know it
cannot guess. 4
"Wo know many things IN this house,
mother. Say, now, can this Isabella be
saved by money or by INTEREST,"
1T is impossible. Fer sentence has been
confirmed by the tribunal Of mercy. She
must die and within two hours. Will you
not give me the polson?"
Il cannot give it unless I know its pur-
pose, mother This may be barren tale,
and the medicine might be used in such q
fashion that I should fall beneath the law.
At one price only can / give it, and that
is that I am there to see it used.''
She thought awhile and answered: = 1t
may be done, for astt chances the word
ing of my absolutioA will cover it. But
you must corae cowled as priest, that
those who carry out the sentence may
know nothing. Still Others will know,
and warn you that should you speak Of
the matter you yourself will meet with
misfortune. The church avenges itself on
those who betray it's secrets senior
s...As one day its secrets will ayenge
themselves upon tie chutch' answered
bitterly. !.AndnoW let me seek q fitting
drug-one that Is swift, yet not too swift,
lest your hounds should sec themselves
bafied Of their prey before all their devil
try is done. Here is something that will
do the work, F" and I held up vial that
drew from q case Of such medicines.
Come, veil yourself, mother, and let Us
! be gone. pom this 'erxand OF mercy.
She obeyed, and presently we left the
house and walked swiftly through the
crowded streets till We came to the ancient
part Of the city along the rivers edge.
Here the woman led me to wharf where
boat was in waiting for her. We enter
ed it and were rowed for mile or more
up the stream till the boat halted at a
landing place beneath high wall. Leav-
ing it, we came to door in the wall ON
which my companion knocked thrice.
Presently shutter in the woodwork was
drawn, and white face peeped through
the grating and spoke. Ny companion
answered in low voice, and after somo