Year: 1871

winch he mad lett IN the meme, lie
passed out of the vault and crossed
the cloister and choir with the swift
ness of hunted hare. He opened
the church door to go out, when, as
if to increase his bewilderment, the
first thing that met his eyes was the
great moon, lifting itself in unaba
ted luster over the edge of the hor-
izon. II shone right opposite, and
seemed looking at and coming to ex
pose him. He did not dare to lift
his eyes again; but without stop
ping to lock up the church, he flew
over the fields, pursued by his own
fears.


A reaction, as sudden as it was
sincere, took place in his feelings,
and he became anxious to make
a full and ample confession, and, for
this purpose, he at once determined
upon seeking audience with the
Baron Anton Eselwic!le. He had
not much difficulty in this respect,
as he knew the Baron was staying
OF Hotel de Bellevue. He made
quickly for the hotel, rang the por-
ter's bell, and inquired for the Bar
on, and was at once shown up into
the apartments he occupied. His
pale face and distracted appearance
was the occasion of some surprise,
which was siderably enhanced
upon his falling on his knees, and
relating, in hurried accents, the adj
venture of the night.


The Baron as may be supposed,
heard him with wonder, but his
anger was tempered with pity. The
story the latter had been related
appeared so improbable, that the
bereaved husband was under the
impression that the narrator must
be either affected with some peculiar
and underlined species of monoman-
ia, or else be the victim Of supersti
tious fears.


He considered moment, and then
said, Il must, perforce. give credcnce
to the story you have been telling
ne, the more so, since you confess
yourself guilty of the crime of sac
rilege and no m an would heedlessly
or thoughtlessly be his own accuser
in such I case. Still there is one
part Of your statement which / find
it hard to believe, and this more es-
pecially concerns myself AID her
whose memory l hold dear. Meintz
Wherart, l will at once hasten to
the church. If your story is true,
not moment is to be lost. You
must lead me to the vault into which
the remains of my beloved wife
were consi gned this morning"


"Oh, no, no; / dare mott" ex
claimed the sexton, with uplifted
hand-"I dare not return


Then | must tell you plainly that
l do not believe what you have been
telling me-" returned the Baron with
a frown.


"Oh, my lord. say not so! l
have been tempted to commit an act
at which l shudder, but do hope
that you will not accuse me of adj
ding falschood TO my crime"


WHY 10 you refuse to accom-.
pony me = the Baron asked.


81 dare not-my courage fails
me-" replied the man.


Can it be possible that you, who
are a sexton, should be afraid of
the dead p


Heintz Wherart, paler than the
corpse he had just visited trembled
from head to foot. He made no
reply TO the last question.


You look like man who has
been terrified by the sight of a
ghost or spectre. Any such un-
earthly visitor would move you to
the last extremity of fear.''


ALAS, yes" murmured the sex
ton.


Your brain is disturbed with
some strange feeling of this descrip-
ton, but l tell you plainly that you
must pluck up courage and return
to the cathedral with me. This is
the least you can do to make
amends for your guilty act"


Il do not deny it, my lord" said
Heintz. ''My duty prescribes it,
my will is good, but"


SAT present you are unnerved.
Say l not right?'


Such is the case; l plainly con
fess it, returned the trembling re-
pentant. ...


The Baron poured out from .
bottle goblet of some potent
LIQUOR, which he handed to his com.
panion.


Drain off the contents of this"
he said in confident tone lit will
give you courage" In the course
of few minutes you will be another
man"


Heintz Wherart obeyed. Under
the influence of the draught, he re
gained little of his composure.


"Now," observed his superior,
"prepare to accompany me. You
may not like the task, but it is one
you are bound to perform.


The sexton bowed his head in
tacit acquiescence.


"Are YOU ready?" said the Baron.


Il am" was the ready response
For by this time the sexton was full
ly aware that all remonstrance would
be useless; he therefore made a vir
tue of necessity, and proceeded at
once to the cathedral, accompanied
by the Baron.


During the short journey, he an
swered the queries of the latter with
as much brevity as possible. Upon
reaching the half-opened door of
the sacred edifice, his heart beat
violently, but he strove as best he
could to conceal his trepidation;
and, assuming an air of confidence,
he strobe boldly along the aisle of
the church., .-... ~, 4
/ ''Heaven protect and preserve
usr' murmured the conscience
stricken. Heintz, as: he approached
tho entrance to the yault1 .-r 81