The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-08-18

my companions, on entering, dipped a
finger, and then rcvercntly crossed
himself. "rhis," said Brother Crispin,
sis the rcfrctorv of the old monastery,
and the shortest way to your bedroom
lies through it," We assembled Il mar
row newell stair terminating in a long
passage, and at the end of this passage
| was ushercd into Il fairly comfortable
sleeping-apartment lighted up with a
pair of candlesticks, and 4 good fire
blazing c,lceriIy, which looked re-assur-
ing.
"You won't mind being locked up
for the night in disused convent, will
you?' said Hugh. "We have still
some valuable articles on the premises,
and even in this secluded dell there are
sometimes stray providers passing by.
Brother Matthias will come over and
call You in good time in the morning.
| hope our midnight nocturns won't
disturb YOU nor our service of lauds
at dayhrcak. And now my brother a
good night POST t" Won. and will say
'Brnclicitr.
Dighy, in long black cassock, and
Brother Matthias, cowlcd and cloaked
in sable. with pale. keen face. then
left me.
Have You Continued Bertram) ever
CHANGED to he shut up alone at night
in an untenantcd or unfurnishcd house,
carpets gone, walls bare and picture
less, chambers and passages void, and
with unwonted hollow echoes sounding
as YOU tread the bare floors? In such
a situation one is brought face to face,
so to say, with oneself. Then, if at
any time, the remembrance of fore often
misdeeds rises up in the conscience,
and brings sense of intense loneliness
upon the soul. Ones faculties of hear
ing and seeing are intensified and no
slightest stir or creak Of anything
escapes one. Thanks be to God, |
have lived my life, on the whole, not
without faith in an Unseen PROTECTORS;
nevertheless some such impressions as
these passed through my brain as |
partially addressed and Law down on
the narrow pallet bed. with candle
beside me, to read a few verses in my
little Greek Testament, which you
know it has been my custom to do for
many day. Whether it was the long
tramp, or what, | know not, but ] sup
pose ! must have fallen asleep where |
Law. The next thing | remember was
waking up in the darkness suddenly
with sensation of noise in some
room below. Both fire and candle
were out. Forcing myself wide awake
with an effort, listened. The storm
must have lulled, for neither patter of
rain nor moan of wind could be heard
against the lattice. All was quiet.
And yet | felt myself straininy with
keen intentness and expectancy for Il
repetition of the noise which | fancied
must have broken my slumbers.
Presently thought could distinguish
dull sound, like 4 subdued tread of
feet moving in the corridor, aid then
becoming fainter. Stiffness again Tor
a few moments, and then l became
aware of football approaching along
the passage, which stopped somewhere
near outside my door. Who on earth
could this be? | had supposed there
was no one else in the house but my
self. Now came a sharp knock at the
door. "Who's thcre?' called out, but
no answer. Again 4 knock, louder.
Then in the darkness the door seemed
to open, and strange mutfled voice
announced that rejection was served,
and the dominus awaited me. Thea
the door was closed again, and a re-
treating footstcp plainly audible
Could this, was the thought of an in
slant, be the superior come back late
in the night, and courteously anxious
| should join him in light rcpast pre-
paratory to attending some devotional
night service This time | jumped up
hurre,ily, lit the remaining candle,
and looked out into the passage.
There was no one there, but | fancied
in the dim obscurity | could make out
a cowled figure not unlike the build OF
Brother Matthias just disappearing
down the winding stair. After all, |
could see other similar doors to mine
along the gallery, and one indeed just
opposite. Could the summons have
been intended for some one else?-some
unknown ncighbor located here, like
myself, for the night. Leaving the
candle alight, sat down on the bed,
and considered what had better DO.
Certainly | must dress myself, and
find out what was going on. Once
more | heard steps, swiftly approach
ing this time, followed by a startling
rap as before, but louder, and the same
singular voice, with kind of trembling
urgency in it, babe me come down, for
the father prior would take no denial,
and the company were waiting. Again
the door was shut to, and faint foot
fall died away.
Speedily | got the rest fmy clothes
on, glanced at my watch to find it
close on midnight, and taking up the
candle passed oat along the mar.