Evening star., 1901-10-26

ment"
As the words passed his lips the bland
expression on Don Baltasars face changed
into one of fierce hatred and excitement
There was forced from his lips tina. sharp
hiss of drawn breath which man ID
stinctively makes as he winces under the
surgeons knife.
Then almost Immediately he recovered
himself
Well" he said, 1--WE cannot save The
abbey-we cannot save the holy church
from this desecration. I have cried 'Pater
mi, 81 pollibile est, transact a me calix-iste!
But now l say, 'Verumtamen non sicut
ego yolo, sed sicut Tu!"
Then with a curious change Of counten-
ance Che difference between a priests eX-
preston at the altar and in the sacrisly
when things have gone crosby he turred
to Rollo.
Nevertheless he said, ST do not deny
that to you we owe all thanks and graft
tude. Perhaps some day you shall be re-
paid!"
When Rollo looked round. The satur-
nine priest had disappeared. His host and
he were alone. The abbot poured out the
coffee.
You will take some of our famous
liqueur." he said, calmly and grac,ously
as ever. THE recipe has been in the pos
session of the abbey for wellnigh 4 .dou-
sand years.
1t seemed pity that so many things
which had lasted a thousand years should
come to an end on the Goth of the month.
Meantime, however, he initiated the nom
chalance of the abbot. The liquor was
not to be despised. Rollo held out his
glass, scarcely knowing what he did. The
abbot poured into 1t a generous portion
of the precious fluid. 1t was of the keen
cold green known to painters as verditer
the color of turnip leaves with the dew
on them.
Don Baltasar drew a glass toward hum
across the table.
Il am no winebibber," he said, my vows
do not allow of it. But 1 will give you a
toast, which, If you permit me, will drink
with you in the pure wine of the flint
Rollo rose to his feet and stood looking at
the prior out of his steadfast blue eyes,
They touched their glasses tremendously,
the elder, however, avoiding the gaze Of
the younger.
your successes, but according to your de-
serts.'' said Don Baltasar.
They drank, and Rollo, astonished by the
strange, bitter-sweet taste of the liqueur,
could only stammer: 81 thank you, prior
Indeed, you are overland to me. I only
to bring YOU
And then somehow it appeared to the
young man that kind of waving blackness
In wreaths and coils like thick smoke began
to invade the room, bellying upward from
the floor and descending from the roof. He
seemed to be sinking back into the arms
of the father confessor Anselmo, who
grimaced at him through the empty eye
sockets and toothless jaws Of a skull
There We're at least fifty abbots in the
room and a certain hue of dusky red in
the shadows of the window curtains first
made him shudder to the soul and then ef-
fected him with terror unutterable. Finally
dinous, and Rollo knew no more.
When the young man came to himself he
was in altogether another place. He lay
nat on his back with something hard un-
der his head. His face seemed cold and
wet. The place, as his eyes wandered up
ward, was full of shifting shadows and un-
certain revealings of cobwebby roof spaces
hlled with machinery-huge wheels and
pulleys, ropes and rings and hooks, on all
OF which the blown light of candles flick
cred fitfully
To side he could dimly perceive the
outlines OF what seemed like great wash
erwoman's mangle.
After while Rollo began to see his SUI
roundings more clearly. Some one was SIT
ting at a great table covered with black
Goth A huge crucifix swung over mis-
head; upon 1t a figure of the Safety of the
World, startlingly realistic.
VINO has brought me here?" he said
aloud, uncertain whether or not he still
dreamed. His voice sounded in his own
ears harsh and mechanical
Rollo tried to lift hand In order to wine
nor the left. Both appeared to be fastened
hrmly to some band OF ring let into a
framework of wood.
Then he heard a voice from the figure
Bring forward the traitor. He shall
learn the great mystery"
Rollo felt himself slowly lifted on his
ieet, or rather the entire wooden oblong
10 winch his limbs were lashed was erected
Dy unseen forces. He could discern the
breathing of men very close to his ear
Listen" said voice from the tribunal.
You, Rollo Blair, have not only BETRAYED
the sacred cause of the blessed King Carlos
but what is ten thousand times worse Won
nave been traitor TO holy church battling
against much wickedness in high Places
Who charges me with these things?'
cried Rollo, giving up vain struggle for
freedom.
Out of your own mouth are you con-
demned," came the answer. 81 who speak
have heard your confession"
Then Rollo knew that Anselmo the dark
confessor, was his accuser and judge. His
executioners he had yet to make acquaint-
ance with The voice from the tribunal
went on, level and menacing.
THE abbot of Montblanch may forgive
a traitor, and he Will. He may make and
unmake pacts with a hereto If 1t please
clean as were those of blessed San Fer
nando of Jimenez. OF holy Torquemada and
or the most religious San Vicente Ferrar
Die you shall, as every traitor ought. But
quick to hell, 1 offer you this opportunity to
be reconciled to holy church. I bid you
disavow and utterly abhor all your treach-
cries and hereto opinions"
Il am sorry enough for my sins God
knows. If so be 1 must die," said Rollo.
making virtue Of necessity, "but I have
done no treacheries, and as for heresy-I
have none too much religion of any kind.
II you can help me to more and better I
shall be grateful, without being too particu-
lar as to creed But my father lived and
died good Presbyterian, and so, heaven
helping me, shall I!'
The gloomy monk rose at these words,
made the gesture Of washing the hands and
then, turning about, kissed the wood Of the
black crucifix.
Lay the young man on the rack" he
said, when he Is ready to recant and be
reconciled. you know where to find me-"
The two executioners Of Anselmos' will
were clad in black robes from head to foot
even their hands being hidden. A TALL
pointed mask with eyeholes alone revealed
anything human underneath, as painting
with the exertion. the men raised Rollo to
the level of the huge table with the double
rollers beneath. Then he felt his hand and
feet one by one deftly loosened and re-
fastened. The frame was stretched from
underneath him and Rollo found himself
stretched on the rack.
Then calmly seating themselves on a
raised shelf close to his head his two exe-
cutioners removed their tall black hoods.
apparently In order that they might wipe
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