Year: 1869

and trembled like the fabled mountain in
| labor, as he left the seat by her side, and
skunk into another at some distance.


The VINE passed freely at the robbers
table, and the men grew merrier. wilder
and more uproarous. Svbil became very
much alarmed; but not so much by the
noisy orgies of these rude jewellers. as bv
the dreadful gaze of Moloch fixed upon
her fom the opposite end of the table
where he sat, and the offensive lanouare of
Satan eyes whenever they turned towards
her.


At length, unable to bear the trial long
er, she arose from her seat, and conrtesy-
ing to these brigands as she woulo have
done to any set of gentlemen of whom she
was taking leave, Sybil left the cavern. fol-
lowed by Gentiliska, the gipsy girl.


81 must take you to another grotto. You
cannot occupy mine tonight" said the
girl, with evident reluctance


''But, oh! why, why may not stay with
you? I am afraid to sleep alone in this
terrible placer pleaded Sybil.


81 have a reason, but / cannot tell it TO
you now. Yes, [ will, too! will tell you
at all risks! Them it is this: My chamber
is not safe for you! Imyselfam not strong
enough to protect you! You might be car
ried off forcibly from my side! | must hide
you where no devil may find you to-night'
whispered the girl.


"Oh, do not leave me here alone p plead
ed Sybil. 'If 1 must stay, stay with me
do not fear death but oh [ fear those
men! Do not leave me p


Il must, for your own safety They
must not miss me; or their suspicious will
be aroused.


Then pointing to bed of moss, aud
recommending her guest to lie down and
seek repose, the gipsy girl glided away
through the labyrinth of caves and was lost
to sight and hearing.


Sybil's firstimpulse was to start up and
run after her hostess, but she restrained
herself, and sank half fainting upon the
heap of moss.


There was but faint sparkling of light
in the cave, coming from circle in the
roof through which the moonlight entered.


''Seek repose," had been the advice of
Gentiliska.


Sybil dared not seek it if she could, and
could not have found it if she had Hour
after hour passed in trance-like stiffness
and silence, when at length she fancied she
heard a creeping, stealthy stepapproaching
Nearly frozen with terror, she listened and
watched, more intently than ever. Alone
helpless, IN darkness and solitude, what
horrid fate must she meet The creeping
cautious footstep drew nearer, nearer!


Oh, Heaven it was no fancy The en-
trance of the cavern was more deeply dark
ened for one moment, and then the huge
form of Moloch stood within the cavern
and nearly filled itup


Paralysed with horror, Sybil could neith-
er move nor cry out-not even when the
monster approached her, and put his pro-
fame hand upon face. The above is all of
this story that will be published in our col
umns The continuation of it from where
it leaves off here can be found only in the
New York LEDGER which is for sale at all
the bookstores and newsdepots. Ask for
the number dated June 26, and in it you
will find the continuation Of this beautiful
tale. The Ledger has the best stories of
any paper in the world; and Henry Ward
Beecher, James Parton and Fanny Fern,
have articles in every number.