Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-09-10

This large one opens the little north
west door, whence 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 stillness. 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
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 the
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.
within touch of his hand. was the
great table tomb and extended upon 1t.
apparently, recumbent female figure.
Whoever, whether mortal or super
human workman. had made such an
efllgy was possessed Of no ordinary skill.
The exquisite suggestion Of repose con
yeyed by the graceful posture, the ar
rangement of the sculptured folds of
raiment. the beautifully chiseled fea-
lures. all were alike lovely, and Roland
Razed at them long, as II he were liter
ally entranced and not under the intiu-
ence Of some delusion Of the senses.
some trick Of overexcited nerves, which
must soon fade away. He fell on his
knees on the stepped base of the monu-
ment and gently laid his lips on the lit
tie white fingers which were 40 tempt
ingly near him. As he did 10 a thrill
seemed to pass through him and
through the figure on the tomb. The
delicate eyelids quivered, the shadowy
lips parted in n faint sigh, and the next
instant his statue was indeed imbued
with life and spoke:
Where am II Oh, where am II"
Roland repressed the suggestion that
she was reclining on her own tomb and
lao, M
ton were matter of course:
"You are in the crypt Of Carminster
cathedral -
The cffigy sat up, pressing her cold
hands to her now burning temples.
Then she raised her great dark eyes to
Roland's face.
II got shut in, she said simply. II
fingered moment to look at this tomb,
beoause--well, because you were no
much interested In it, and the verger
never missed me-the pillars hid me.
heard the key CRATE In the lock and ran
and called and banged. but no one came,
and, oh, | was 80 frightened" She was
quivering with cold and shock, and Ro-
land supported and oomforted her. But
for you | might have stnid here in this
awful pihbo al hiBhtt HHt uuIhuiou.
cts simply horriblel' she went on.
"You wouldn't believe what noises
there are when it's empty and no one
here What made you come backf Was
1t TO look for mep' she asked naively.
He told her then how and why he had
come back, giving her time TO wipe away
u few stray tears. which she hoped he
did not see and to pull Off the necktio
from about her head. Then no found
her hat for her in u shadowy nook and
prepared to take her home.
She was glad Of the support Of his
arm. and the olinging touch Of her fin
gers sent thrill through him which he
seemed to feel long after they had
parted.
recognized you again ut once. " she
said to him az they assembled tho rickety
staircase together.
too, remember you quite well
We were fellow tourists or sightseers
this morning, and have thought Of
you many times since and always as
the lady in the gray cloak. "
She smiled very humanity.
My real name, " she said simply,
sis Joan. 4"
Roland started slightly, and AZ he
pressed her hand at parting murmured
beneath his breath:
"By the Willie Of God, Joan, the be-
loved wife Of Roland do 10 Fanu. Knight
and Gentilman. "--Princesa
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