A DEEP PLOT: RESCUED IN TIME.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3190, 3 December 1892, Page 5 (Supplement)

A DEEP PLOT: RESCUED IN TIME.

Previously to the year 1719, but at what precise date I cannot say. the city of Paris possessed as guardian of its safety and chief minister of police, a man of rare talent and integrity. At the same period the parish of St. Germais, in the quarter of the Rue St. Antoine, had for its Cure a kind, venerable old man, whose whole life was spent in doing good to both the souls and bodies of his fellow-creatures, and whose holy living and dignified courage caused him to be loved by the good, and respected by even the most abandoned characters. One cold, dark winter's night, the bell at the old Cure's door was rung loudly, and he, although in bed, immediately arose and opened the door, anticipating a summons to some sick or dying bed. A personage richly dressed, with his features partly concealed by a large false beard, stood outside. Addressing the Cure in a courteous and graceful manner, he apologised for his unseasonable visit, which, as he said, the high reputation of monsieur had induced him to make. " A great and terrible, but necessary and inevitable deed," he continued, "is to be done. Time presses: a soul about to pass into eternity implores your ministry. If you come, you must allow your eyes to be bandaged, ask no questions, and consent to act simply as spiritual consoler of a dying woman. If you refuse to accompany me, no other priest can be admitted, and her spirit must pass alone." After a moment of secret prayer, the Cure answered, " I will go with you." Without asking any further | explanation, he allowed his eyes to be bandaged, and leant on the arm lof his suspicious visitor. They both got into a coach, whose windows

were immediately covered by wooden shutters, and then they drove off rapidly. They seemed to go along way, and mate many doublings and turnings ere the coaoh drove undei a wide archway, and stopped. During this time, not a single word had been exchanged between the travellers, and ere they got out the stranger assured himself that the bandage over his companion's eyes had not been displaced, and then taking the old man respectfully by the hand, he assisted him to alight and to ascend the wide steps of a staircase as far as the second story. A great door opened, as if of itself, and several thickly-carpeted rooms were traversed in silence. At length another door was opened by the guide, and the Cure felt his bandage removed. They were in a solemn-looking bed-chamber; near a bed, half veiled by thick damask curtains, was a small table, supporting two wax lights, which feebly illuminated the cold, deatli-like apartment. The stranger (he was the Duke de ) then bowing to the Cure, led him towards the bed, drew back the curtains, and said in a solemn tone ■ ! "Minister of God, before you is a woman who has betrayed the blood of her ancestors, and who3e doom is irrevocably fixed. She knows on what conditions an interview with you has been granted her ; she knows too that all supplications would be useless. You know your duty, M. le Cure ; I leave you to fulfil it, and will return to seek you in half-an-hour." So saying he departed, and the agitated priest saw lying on the bed a young and beautiful girl, bathed in tears, battling with, despair, and

calling in her bitter agony for th( comforts of religion. No investigation possible ! for the unhappj creature declared herself bound by a terrible oath to conceal her name; besides, she knew not in what place she was. " I am," she said, a victim of a secret family tribunal,' whose sentence is irrevocable ! More, I cannot tell. I forgive my enomies, as I trust that God will forgive me. Pray for me!" Tho minister of religion invoked the sublime promises of the gospel to soothe her troubled soul, and ho succeeded. Her countenance after a time became composed, she clasped her hands in fervent prayer, and then extended them towards her consoler. As sho did so, the Cure perceived that the sleeve of her robe was stained with blood. "My child," he said, with a trembling voice, " what is this? " " Father, it is the vein which they have already opened, and the bandage, no doubt, was carelessly put on." At these words, a sudden thought struck the priest. He unrolled the dressing, allowed the blood to flow, steeped his handkerchief in it, then replaced the bandage, concealed the stained handkerchief within his vest, an.-! whispered : " Farewell, my daughter, take courage, and have confidence in God !" The half-hour had expired, and the step of his terrible conductor was heard approaching. " I am ready," said the Cure, and having allowed his eyes to be covered, he took the arm of the Duke de , and left the awful room, praying meanwhile with secret fervour. Arrived at the foot of the siairease, tho old man succeeded, without his guide's knowledge, in slightly displacing the thick bandage so as to admit a partial ray of lamplight. Finding himself in the carriage gateway, ho managed to stumble and fall, with both hands forward, towards a dark corner. The Oulce hastened to raise him, both resumed their places in the carriage, and, after repassing through the same tortuous route, the Cure was set down in safety at his own door. Without one moment's delay, lie called his servant. "Pierre," he said, "arm yourself with a stick, and give me your support ; I must instantly go to the minister of police." Soon afterwards, the official gate was opened to admit the well-known venerable pastor'. •' Monseigneur," he said, addressing the minister, " a terrible deed

will speedily be accomplished, if you are not in time to prevent it. Let your agents visit, before daybreak, every carriage gateway in Paris : in the inner angle of one of them will be found a blood-stained handkerchief. The blood is that of a young female, whoso murder, already begun, has been miraculously suspended. Her family have condemned their victim to have her veins opened one by one, and thus to perish slowly in expiation of a fault, already more than punished by her mortal agony." That same morning, at eight o'clock, the minister of police entered the Cure's room. " My friend," said he, " 1 confess my inferiority, you are able to instruct me in expedients." " Saved !" said the old man, bursting into tears. " SaveJ," said the minister, " and rescued from the power of her cruel relations. But the next time, dear Abbe, that you want my assistance in a benevolent enterprise, I wisli you would give me a little more time to accomplish it," Within die next twenty-four hours, by the express order from the King, the Due de and his accomplices wore secretly remove.] from Paris, and conveyed out of the Kingdom. The young woman received all the care which her precarious state required : and, when sufficiently re-

covered, retired to a quiet country village, where the royal protection assure.] her safety. The Ha'porth