THE BELL OF ST. LEONARDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5206, 3 November 1883, Page 1

THE BELL OF ST. LEONARDS.

♦ ■ By C. HILDREIH.

" Look here, Tortini, according to our English ideas it isn't considered exactly the thing to talk over a young lady in this fashion." " What do I care for your English ideas?" said the other, in a suppressed tone. "I am s>n Italian. I think, feel, love like an Italian, and I don't care who knows it. I say again that I love this beautiful girl with all my heart and soul. I could die for her as readily as you would take off your hat to her." "Come, Tortini, don't be ridiculous," "Ah," replied the Italian, sharply, "that is what you call it. Torture, madness, death itself, and you smile at me with your cold blue eyes and say, ' Don't be so ridiculous.'" " But what would you have of me ?" asked the young Englishman, a little sternly. "Speak out and let us understand each other." "I have already told you that I love Ellice Spencer co fervently that the very thought of lo3ing her is intolerable to me. You have come between us. You are leading her away from me. I demand that you leave her to me, that you go away and never see her again." " And I refuse," said the young Englishman, promptly. "If nothing else, the cool audacity of your demand would impel me to remain." " Henry Ellery, beware." "Count Tortini, your words and manner may be such as are customary among your own people. Here they are insolence. I refuse to be bullied by you, and as far as your threats go I know how to despise them." The Italian ground his teeth in Bilence for a moment. '• Pardon me,'' he said, finally, in a calmer tone, "my feelings carried me too far. But be generous with me. I have opened my heart to you and shown you how 1 suffer. I know you to be kind and noble to others, why will you not be my friend in this ?" " Because you are asking a sacrifice that I cannot grant," replied Ellery; "s ; nce you have put it on that ground you compel me to say what I meant to keep to myself. I, too, love Ellice Speucer." " You !" exclaimed Tortini, "I suspected it." " Yes," replied Ellery, quietly, "you have spoken of the fire and ardour of your passion. Mine may be less of a frenzy, but it is a deep true love that can cease cn'y with my death." " It must be war between U3, then," said the Italian, fiercely. "Again you are talking nonsense," re Bponded Ellery, impatiently, "It must be nothing of the sort. The lady herself must judge between us, if indeed either of us can ever be more than a friend in her eyes. If she loves you why 1 must beir it like a man, and try and be thankful for her happiness." '•And if you ?" said Tortini, quickly. " Why, I shall have gained more happiness than I deserve." " You will never gain it," exclaimed the Italian, sharply. "If the refuses me she shall never marry you." "Indeed,"' replied Ellery, coolly ; "if sc happy a state ot affairs should come about, what would you do to prevent i: ?" "Kill you," said Tortini, in alow, harsh voice. The young Englishman made a step toward him with clinched hands and flashing eyes, then he paused and burst out laughing. " Among other unpleasant traits of our English character, count, ' said he, *'wedo not bear threats very calmly. I was ab ut to pitch you over the balcony, but I should be sorry to spoil the appear.mcc of so handsome a man, and withal so good a fellow when he is in his right senses. Come, Tortini, let us thake hands upon it and be friends." •• Never, never !" replied the Italian, turning a vay. At this moment a light figure emerged from the vine-shaded window and advanced toward them. As it came into the moonlight which flooded the veranda the two gentlemen raw a young girl, attired in an evening dress of white satin, standing before them. She was a beautiful creature, and with the moonlight touching the shining waves of her golden hair, and turning her round arms and white shoulders into polished marble, she seemed rather a visible spirit of tha lovely Summer night than a bright young inhabitant of the material earth. Ellice Spencer had overheard enough oF the conversation between the two to disturb and alarm her. There was an expression of anxiety in her soft, violet eyes as she gazed from one to the other. She set herself to remove the unpleasant feeling between them, and concealed her own uneasiness with a light smile and a playful manner. "I heard you two talking out here," she said, composedly, "and I came to see what you were about." , Ellery remained silent, but Tortini came forward with a ready smile, and replied : " We were admiring the tplendor of the night. I was particularly struck with the effect of the moon upon that old church in the valley yonder. I was about to ask Ellery its history," for lam &ure it has one, when you came out." "St. Leonards," she replied. "Oh, ye 3, it has a history, veritable and authentic, no doubt ; but lam more interested in the legends connected with it, which, if not so veracious, are at least infinitely more romantic. There is one called the Bell and the Mass, which is particularly ghostly. If you gentlemen will sit one on either side of me, as a sort of moral support, I will try to relate it." Tortini drew his chair beside her at once, but Ellery lingered in the shadow of the building until Miss Spencer turned to look at him, then he came slowly forward and seated himself at a little distance. "Now," she said, gayly, "I insist that you believe every word of what I am going to say, otherwise the charm will be broken. During the troubled period of the Norman Conquest, St. Leonards, then a Saxton church, was sacked and pillaged. While the good monks were assembled at midnight Mass, aud the bell in the tower was ringing the customary peal, a party of Norman foragers burst into the church, and a scene of indiscriminate murder began. "His poor monks, -kueeling before the altar, or fleeing hither and thither in the vain attempt to escape, were remorselessly put to the sword, their pictures and plate seized, and the building set on fire. It is said that, to the ,horror of the ruthless Normaus, even while the flames roared through the roof and windows the bell in the t .wer c mtinued to ring and the solemn sound of the monks' voices united in the service, arose from the midst of the fire. The farm people hereabouts believed all this implicitly, and assert that often at midnight the old bell tolls, untouched by human hands, the sound of the Mass is heard, followed by an awful outcry of shrieks and groans ; then there is a great light, as of a fire, gleaming through the windows and suddenly all is d irk and silent as before. There," she said, "is the story. For my part, I believe tvery word of it." " Then I have no doubt of its truth," siid Tortini, smiling. "Is the church in use still?" "Oh, no, there has been no service held in it these fifty years, and it is rapidly fa'ling into decay." "It has a tall tower, " eaid Toitini, looking at it thoughfully. "A fall from that height would be certainly fatal." " What are you thinking of ?" asked Miss Spencer, with a playful shiver. " It would be one way of ending a troublesome life," he continued, in the same slow tone. *• Come," she cried, arising, " this is altogether too tragic. I merely meant to terrify you gently, and, like a mau, you are making a downright horror of it. You shall take me in for the next dance, count. Light and music are good correctors of the megrims." When they were gone, Ellery remained

upon the veranda in a far from pleasant frame of miud. He had confessed to Tortiui, oa the impulse of the moment, what he had hitherto scarcely permitted himself to believe. He did love Ellice Spencer, and he left his love to be hopeless. The Italian's jealousy struck him as mere madness; Tortini possessed every qualification calculated to impress a young girl like Ellice. A nobleman of undoubted rank,- enormously wealthy, handsome in a dark, lustrous way, and refined to the last degree, Ellery, on the other hand, was a plain country gentleman, with a moderate income, no pretence to good looks and few attainments. He was aware of his disadvantages, and looked upon Ellice as Ad im is said to have looked upon Paradise after his banishment, '"with hopeless, longing eves, afar off. " He had tried to nerve himself for the inevitable event as he had said to Count Tortini, to bear it like a man, and be thankful for her hap',jinc"3. He sat upon 'he balcony in a moody reverie for a long time, until the sound of voices and music in the drawing room died away and the lights were being extinguished. Then he arose with a sigh, and was about to take his own department, when Ellice pushed aside the vines and came out upon the veranda. * ' Still here !" she said. "I was afraid you had gone without giving ma an opportunity of saying good-night." "I am glad you have come," he replied, gravely, because I wish to say good-night and good-bye together." "You are going away ?" she said quickly, coming closer and closer and looking up into his eyes earnestly, " Why ?" He paused for a moment in extreme agitation. "Why should 1 nnt be frank about it ?'' he exclaimed. "I had a conversation with Count Tortiui to-night, forced upon by him, in which I leai'ned more about my own state of mind than is good for me." "I overheard all that you said," she replied quietly. "Then," said he, "you sse that it is necessary I should go." "No," she answered, in a low voice, " I do not wish you to go." "Elljce,"he exclaimed earnestly, "take cave what you say. Do not let me delude myself." " I have weighed my words," she replied. "I say again, do not gV '•Then, is it possible you love me ?" he said tremulously. " Yep," she returned softly, " I love you, Henry." "But I thought— l feared it was Count Tortini." he said, bewildered with his own happiness. "Count Tortiui has many admirable qualities." she replied, smiling. "Perhaps, but for you, I might have been attracted by him." "H9 said as much," responded Ellery, " but I thought it w as causeless jealousy," She besame suddenly gravn. "I remember thit he threatened you," she said, pre sing closer to him. "Oh be careful, Henry. He may be capable of doing you a gre.it injury." " I think not. Tortini is impulsive, as all his people are ; but he is not a ba 1 follow in the main." There was a slight sound among the shrubbery below them at th's moment, and a figure stole out of the shadows and disappeared among the trees at the foot of the lawn ; but, absorbed in their own happiness, neither of the lovers noticed this circumstance. An hour later Ellery was on his way home with a quick step and a heart evei-flowing with happiness. As he parsed the deserted church, he looked up at the taU ?pir3 in which hung the bell with a sudden leeling of discomfort. " Poor Tortini !" he said to himself. "A fall from such a height would end one's troubles effectually. I hope he won't be weak enough to carry out his notion." On the following a'ternoon he was surprised by a visit from Tortini. Ellery was shocked by the terrible change which a single night had made in his appeai lance. His face was ghastly whitp and haggard, his eyes shone with a lmid unsteady fire, and his expression was that of a man whose mind has been unbalanced by some terrible experience. He seized Ellery's hand, wiling it; convulsively, and flung himself into a chair. "Good hexvens, Tortini ! vhat has happened ?"' cried Ellery. " An awful — an incredible thing !" replied Tortiui, hoarsely. "You remember the story Miss Spencer "—he spoke the name with an effort — " you remember the legend she told us ? Well, it i 3 true." " Come, come, Tortini," said Ellery, with a smile. " You are not going to tell me you saw the flames, and heard the tolling bell, the shrieks and all the rest of it." " Just that !" replied '"ortini, earnestly. "As I passed the old church on my way home, I heard and paw it all just as she described it. I feel as if I were going mad !" " You must be out of your health my dear fellow," said Eilery, kindly. "No one believes in such things nowadays." " Then explain what 1 saw and heard," responded Tortini, looking at him with a strange, intent gaze. " For ccc and hear I did, say what you will." " ihat I cannot do, of course ; but I am sure your experience can be traced to natuial causes." "Then help me to do it," responded Tortini, quickly. "You will say lam an Italian, and theivfors superstitious. Well, then, give me the aid of your English logic. Came with me and watch in the church to-night." '* To disturb the bats aud owls ? You will see nothing else." "Don't make a jest of it !" said Tortini, nervous 1 y. "1 tell you it is a serious matter. If you do_'t help mo explain wh >t I saw J shall go mad and kill myself to get rid of the thought of it !" He seemed so wretchedly agitated, so worn and broken, that Mlery's heart smote him. " He has ben frightened at something," he thought ; " and if I can clear it up for him I ought to do so." The recollection of his own happiness, and that, too, at the Itilian's expeuse, contributed to render him the more ready to do him a service— even so ridiculous a one as watching in an old church for ghosts. "Very well, Tortiui," he replied, "since you insist on it I will go with you." " To-night ! ' " To-night as well as any other." " Good !" cried the Italian, with an expression of intense satisfaction. "We will meet in the chuichyard at twelve to-night. Let us keep our inteution secret from every one. Jf lam mistake -i I shall be glad to have it proven, but I don't want to be laughed at." "Nor I," replied Ellery. "You can depend on my caution." " So it is settled," said the Italian, rising aud giving Ellery his hand. " Farewell, until we meet among the dead." " The fellow is melodramatic by nature," grumbled Ellery, after Toitim'a departure. "A fii.e adventure he has got me in for. It's absurd ! But I cm well afford to humour him now." ******* At twelve o'clock that night he made his way to the old church, where he found Tortini waiting for him. "Arc you sure no one has scan you?" asked the Itatian, in a low tone, grasping Kl lory's hand with fingers cold as ice. "Perfectly sure," " Then follow me. I have found a way into the church through a fissure in thew:<ll. The loof is b-oken in, and if we pose ourselves in the be'.l-tower, we can see into the body of the building as well as observe the motion of the bell, should it ring." Much to his secret dismast E - lery followed

the Italian into the gloomy and silent edifice, stumbling over fallen ruins, brushing against thick cobwebs 'and slimy moss, until they reached the foot of the tower. " Let me go first," whispered Tor tin.. " The steps are missing in some places. I have explored the place and know the way. Ellery assented, and the Italian preaeded up the spiral staircase, Miiich seemed unending. They reached an open space just below the platform where the bell hung, and here Tortini paused. " See," said he, pointing downward, " it is a hundred feet to the g;ound at least. And there lies the body of the church unroofed to our gazo, whore, d mbtless, in a few moments the ghostly drama will be re-enacted for our especial benefit " He uttered a low laugh as he spoke and sprang upon the platform above. The sound of his grating laughter in such a phce and under such circumstances chilled Ellery 's blood. " The poor fellow has actually gone mad, ' he thought. "But I must not leave him to himself now, or he may throw himself off the tower." " Come 1" said Tort ni from above. "Give iiie your hands, and I will help you up." EJlery extended his hands, and as he was drawn upward he felt something fasten itself about both of his wrists with a sharp snap. As he mounted the platform, Tortini forced him down upon the flooring. Startled and enraged he struggled violently to free himself, but in vain. To his horror he found himself helpless. His hands w re manacled together, and as he held him in a vice-like grip, the Italian passed a cord tightly round his ankles. " What does this mean, Tortini ?" cried Ellery, as the other arose and bent darkly over him. " Are you mad ?" " Yes," said the Italian hoarsely — " mad with love and hate. Lie still, Henry Mlery. You will never be free from those bonds until you are stretched, mang'ed and dead at the foot of this tower. I told you to teware of stepping between me and the woman I love. You laughed at me then. It is my turu now !" "But, Tortini,." cried Ellery, "this is murder !'' " Call it what you please. I shall not be frightened at a word. I heard what passed between you and Ellice Spencer last night. You have won her love, but you shall not win her. " '"Do your worst, wretch that you are !" exclaimed Ellery. " I have won what you cannot take away from me even in death." " Be not so certain," said Tortir i, with a bitter laugh. " I heard her tell you that, but for you, she might have loved me. After you arc dead tine and patience will do the rest. She will mourn you a w hile. I will console her. Think of it, my friend. It will be a pleasant thought to take with you into the grave." Ellery groaned. " You will not be permitted to work your evil will unpunished. Your deeds will find you out." "Not in this world, at least," said the Italian sardonically. " I have laid my plans too well. No one know 3we are heie together — no one will see me go hence. After I have flung you from the tower I will unbind you, and who will suspect my share in your death ? The keenest of your detectives would never think of looking for % murderer in the Count Tortini. You will be supposed to have believed in the story of the Bell and the Masp, and, coming here to watch, to have fdleu from the tower. Perhaps they will even say — ha I ha! — the ghosts thtew yon down." "Tortini," said Ellery, making one final effort for his life, " think what you are doing. Do not commit this sin, for which the:e is sure punishment here or hereafter." "I defy the hf-re and the hereafter !" exclaimed the Italian wildly. "Your hour is come !" He lifted the ymng man in his arms and bore him to one of the open arches. Permitting him to lean against the stone pillar, he pointed downward into the thick gloom below. "Look," he said — " look at the spot where you will be found cold and dead to-morrow." The young man gazed downward with a strong shudder, then closed his eyes. "God help me !" he exclaimed. "God help me !" At that instant there came a strange, humming sound from the air above them. It grow louder and louder, and in a moment more the great bell^began swaying to and fro, pouring out its deep, solemn notes upon the still air. The Italian stared back, with a white face and trembling limbs. " What is it ? what is it ?" he gasped. " The evidence of that Power which you defy, "replied Ellery, sternly, though he, too, was awe-struck and amazed. " And see, the church 13 lighting up. Hatk ! to the sound of voices from those who have been in the grave for eight c nturics Down upon your knees, and pray God's pardon for your sinful soul." From their position in the tower the two men could see into the body of the church, where now a weird an awful sight' presented itself. A strong glow of light from a thousand candles fell upon a procession of black-robed figures, moviug up the main aisle toward the altar. A slow and solemn chant arose from their midst, to which they marched with hoaded downcast heads. To Ellery the scene was full of nameless dread and bewilderment. Could he belie /c that he saw before him the forms and heard the voices of the dead ? He turned to look at the Italian. Tortini had fallen upon his knees, and, with his hands clasped, was looking downward with such horror and despair in his eyes as shook Ellery more than the ghostly thing below. "1 did not believe it," muttered Tortini. " I pretended to in order to lure you here. Oh, my God ?it is true ! The dead do come back ! There is a hell for such souls as mine. I am If st !-lost !" At this moment the scene underwent an awful change. There was a confused uproar of clanking steel, hoarse oath 1 ?, crashing blows and a Babel of shrieks and cries. The black robed figures ran to and fro, pursued by ot' er flames cad in steel ; blows fell from glittering swords ; flames burst out along the walls, through the windows and the roof, while the bell continued its mournful pealing. Then of a sudden all was dark and still. The lights went out, the cries and shouts ceased, and the bell was silent in its dusty loft. Ellery, with a great effort, shook off the paralyzing effect of his own terror, and looked again at the kneeling figure of the Italian. He remainrd rigid and motionless with his hands clapped over his eyes, "for several moment?. Finally he uttered a dei p groan, and tottered to his feet. He was a changed man, trembling, feeble, utterly broken. He came slowly to Ellery's side, and with shaking hands unbound his limbs. "I will not ask you to pxrdon me,"hesaid, in a hollow voice. "My crime is too black for that. Aly life is in your hands, young Englishman. Do with it what you will." " Then take it b.ick, with my pardon," replied Ellery, solemnly. "God forbid that I shou'd judge you." " What I have seen to-night has been an avful warning to me,"' said the Italian, in a low voice. "If there is yet time 1 will make my peace with the God I have offended. The world shall kuow me no more. 1f,." ho added, turning to Ellery, with working features, " you will grant a broken man so great a favor, I ask you to ke^p this night's events a secret from — from Ellice (Spencer. I have loved her and would retain her respect." " I promise you she shall never kuow of what has pa«sed here," rep'ied Ellery. " Thank," he s,nd, in a choking whisper, as he grasped Ellery's hand. "God bless you and her ! ' He turned, and with a slow step and bowed head made his way down the stairs, followed at a distance by Ellery.

When the young man reached the churchyard the Italian was nowhere to be seen . 4' tt tt » * # * True to his promise, Henry Ellery never related even to his wife the weird and awful events of that night in the church-tower. When the legend of the Bell and the Mass is spoken of in his presence, he remains silent or turns away, for it recalls an experience which he wishes to forget. As to Count Tortini, he suddenly disappeared from those gay circles where he was wont to be a central figure, and no one knew whithor ho went. Once there came a vague rumor to England of a weilthy nobleman who had yielded up petition and fortune to become a poor Brother and a muse in the hospital at Rome. Henry Ellery believed he recognized in this person the Count Tortini. THE END.

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