Year: 1878

Lake my nauQ, Balu the man.


Again the priest obeyed, and was led
rapidly through the door. A number
OF voices as if disputing met his ear,
but almost Immediately the sounds
ceased and all became quiet.


Arriving in front of the altar, the cov-
ering over bis eyes was removed, and he
could observe about dozen persons
masked and keeping close in the shadow
of the walls. The large candles on the
altar were burning brightly still there
were portions OF the church over which
indistinct shadows fitted. In one of
these arches the old priest strained his
eyes, as he thought he beheld the gar
ments of woman. Nor was he mis-
taken. But that which suddenly caused
his heart to shrink with dread, was to
behold the slab which covered the vault
OF Francis Krynszloft removed from its
place and standing on its end against
one OF the pillars that supported the
roof.


Krynszloft, rich old land owner who
had been dead nearly q century, had
built the church, being careful to stipu-
late that his body should rest in the
tomb which was.built in the middle aisle
of the edi6ce.


AS the good priest gazed down the
building, tall man issued from one of
the gloomy shadows, leading a lady
who was magnificently appareled, and
who seemed scarcely able to walk, so
uncertain we're her steps. Both fig
ures we're masked. The man was as
splendidly attired as his companion, and
his tall form and military carriage in
duced the belief that he was no common
personage. Behind him came the per-
sons who had been grouped by the
walls.


1t was strange sight at that lonely
hour of the night to see an old gray
headed priest trembling with fear and
surrounded by unknown men and wo-
men, compelled to celebrate marriage
with an open tomb in view.


The first thought that rushed to the
mind of the good man was, that after he
had performed the ceremony, they
would murder him, cast his body iuto
the vault, replace the slab, and his fate
would perhaps never be revealed, for
none of the bones of the Krynszloft
family, save old Francis, would ever re-
pose there. But he quickly dismissed
this thought, as he could conceive no
reason for them to kill an inoffensive
man living in an obscure part of the en-
pire and scarcely known beyond the
confines of Biornborg.


His reflections, however, were cut
short by the man beckoning his attend
ants to close about him. and then in an
imperious tone commanding the priest
to proceed with his Office. Summoning
all the courage he could command, the
priest inquired the name of the bride
md bridegroom.


Nicholas and Castalie," replied the
bridegroom sternly.


At the sound of his voice the poor lads
trembled violently, and more than once
appeared about to fall. She was evident
ly suffering great terror. Once or twice
the priest was on the point of positively
refusing to conduct a marriage under
such equivocal circumstances, but the
sight of the open tomb shook his
momentary resolution, for he was not
courageous person.


"Proceedl proceed commanded
the man, in an impatient tone.


Not daring any longer to delay, the
old priest began the ceremony, but he
was so bewildered that he made many
mistakes, which, however, were not
observed by those present. Perhaps
they were ignorant of matters like this.
AT length he came to the question,
" Wilt thou, Nicholas, acknowledge
Oastalie, who now kneels beside thee,
to be thy lawfully welded wife ?"


"I will |" was the reply, in tones
that rang through the arches of the
building, so sternly we're they pro-
nounced.


The reply, for some unknown reason,
produced marked sensation among the
maskers, for a low murmur came from
their midst.


"And thou, Castalie," continued the
priest, "wilt thou acknowledge as thy
lawfully welded husband, Nicholas,
who kneels beside thee?


81 will" came in a voice that was
only Just audible, and which quivered
with evident fear.


A moment more and the woman sank
upon the stone floor with a cry of an
guish. Several of the party gathered
around her, and one raised her head
while the bridegroom poured some
drops from a vial on her lips. It was
amid this confusion that the priest con-
cluded the ceremony.


Again the bandage was placed over
his eyes, and he was led out of the
church. Once without he was given the
use of his sight, with the injunction to
hurry to his home, and, upon the peril of
his life, never to speak of that nights
occurrence. Instantly, then, the men
re.entered the church and closed the
door, and the priest could hear the bar
adjusted TO prevent intruders.


But the old man did not Immediately
proceed on his way. He knelt down
upon the ground and applied his ear to
the door-sill. He could hear loud and
angry tones from within, and suddenly
there came a piercing shrek from man,
followed by pistol-shot. Then all was
still. Springing from his crouching