The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-08-24
ROLAND'S WIFE.


ny, but almost equally close and op-
pressive.
Roland de lie Fanu felt as if the heat
and dust of centuries were somehow
shut into that vast nave and as if his
torical associations weighed on his tired
brain.
He was one of party being "shown
round" the building. Here was the in
evitable would be Archaeological, now
positive, anon doubtful of his dates,
two or three clergymen, schoollnaster
and his class and few young girls
In the crypt it was cooler, but damp
and musty smelling. Through the heavy
oak door passed the weary, but garrulous
verger, his chattering flock at his heels
Then began more tiresome discussions
anent slypes and squints.
This ere, said the verger, raising
his not too musical voice to drown the
talking of the others-"this ERE was
once the private chapel of the De le
Fanus That stone marks where the al
tar stood. Over here is where Sir Gill
| bert Archesmont defied the abbot in the
year thirteen 'undred and fifty. Notice
this ere dog tooth molding-most per-
feet example of its kind in England.
There is finer at Canterbury, Z"
growled some one.
Pardon me, you must mean Lincoln
Or is it York that am thinking of?''
said the arch8ologist.
The descendant of the De le Fanus
| ocid no HI tcko i
and put her arm through his
/ am so tiredl" she whispered.
Never mind, dear We've nearly
done, and we could not have left with
out seeing our old family tombs, so''-
1.-THE LIE Fanu tombs," broke in the
painting verger. They date back to
1910. This is the Oldest of them all.
Notice the rich work round the sides,
and, as you see, the figure is missing
from the top. 1t is the wife of old Sir
Roland de lie Fanu, who died in the
'Oly Land. His wife died of grief three
days after the sad news reached her.
The effigy is said to have been stolen,
though some there are who say that life
was given to it and it walked. / don't
odd with that myself. On this side are
the tombs of Reginald and Sir Bevis de
lie Fanu.
Roland spoke to the girl next him.
The effigy," said he, THAT is miss
ing from that tomb is the one of all
others that should most have liked to
see. She was our great, great really
cannot say how great-grandmother
and, oh, beg your pardon. Thought
you were my sister
1t was tall, slight girl, wrapped in
light grayish dust cloak, to whom he
had spoken, and who now responded
gracefully and with shade of amuse-
ment in her manner.
| The sudden transition from the dark
crypt to the brilliant sunshine was be-
wildering. Roland and his sister STUN
bled along to the monastery ruins, and
then, seated ON heap of fallen stone
work, they rested. He was disapppoint-
ed on looking round for his cloaked di-
vinity to find that she had not followed
them.
In Carminster quiet night succeeds
the peaceful day. Roland, sitting by
his window, watched the round moon
rising behind the fretted spire Of the
cathedral and was filled with a sudden
longing
His stay in the place had been brief
and would end early on the morrow
The sketches he had made were few,
and his visits to the cathedral had al
ways been paid in company with others,
in the improving" society of the dean
or in that of the unsympathetic Verger
What if he were to steal out now, when
the garish day was done and the moon
high in the clear sky?
Yes he would, he must 60 The
temptation was not to be resisted He
would study tracery and carving under
the magic light which made their beau
ties seem as something unearthly He
rose and left the room, treading softly
SO as not to disturb the other inmates
of the house. Quietly as he went the
dean, sitting at work in the study,
heard him and opened his door.
Anything amiss, Roland?" he asked
cheerfully.
Roland, half ashamed, confessed his
romantic ideas to his host, who sur
prised him by sympathizing with them.
by all means. Our lovely cathedral
never looks more exquisite than by
moonlight "
81 should like, said Roland, taking
courage, to have one more look at the
tombs and chapel of my ancestors be-
fore | leave
Certainly, certainly. You are di-
rect descendant of Joan de la Fanu, are
you not?'
Eyes And don't thank the vandals
who stole her efigy. should have pre-
ferred that they had taken any of the
Others -
Have you copied her epitaph yet, or
sketched the tomb?"
No, have had no good opportunity, |
but should uncommonly like to do SO
before go, and shall not have time
tomorrow -
He spoke wistfully, and the dean
laughed
Here, then, said he II see what
you are fishing for Take the keys.
This large one opens the little north
west door, whence a staircase leads
straight down to the back of the chapel.
You can't make mistake, only do not
fall down the broken stairs, do not lose
the keys, do not forget to lock up after
you and, above all, don't set the place
alight, or I'll never forgive you
Roland promised everything required
of him and went off,
Roland sought and soon found the
little door to which he had been direct
ed and from which the steps led
straight down into the crypt of the ca
thedral. The key made but little noise,
even in the great Stiffness and Roland,
cropping his way down, soon found him
self at the back of the little chapel and
in great darkness. Closing his eyes for
awhile to accustom them to the change,
he could soon distinguish the outlines
of the arches and moved forward quite
confidently.
Some might have thought the hour
and place eerie, but Roland was neither
nervous nor superstitious and boldly
advanced to where the moonlight, find
ing oblique entrance through the graf
ing in the roof and near one of the great
windows of the cathedral above him,
shone clearly and brightly over tho
tombs
1t has been said that he was neither
nervous nor superstitious, but suddenly
he stopped short, and the throbbing Of
his own heart seemed for the moment
to startle him, for here, Just before him,