Cruel As The Grave

Lyon Berners groaned deeply, and buried his face in his hands.

"Come, come! bear up, that you may sustain her!" said Captain

Pendleton. "And now listen: Your flight, as I told you, was not

suspected up to the time I left Black Hall. It will not be discovered

probably until late this evening, when it will be too late for the

authorities to take any immediate measures of pursuit. We have,

therefore, this afternoon and to-night to perfect our plans. Only you

need to bring steady nerves and a clear head to the task."

"What do you suggest, Pendleton?"

"First of all, that during this night, which is ours, all necessary

conveniences be brought here to support your life for a few days, for

you must not leave this safe refuge immediately--to do so would be to

fall into the hands of the law."

"I see that," sighed Mr. Berners.

"I, then, with the help of this faithful Joe, will bring to you here

to-night such things as you and Mrs. Berners will actually need, for the

few days that you must remain. As to all your affairs at the Hall, I

counsel you to give me a written authority to act for you in your

absence. I have brought writing materials for the purpose; and when you

have written it, I will myself take it and drop it secretly into the

post-office at Blackville, so that it may reach me regularly through the

mail, and help to mislead everybody to whom I shall show it, into the

idea that you have gone away through Blackville. Will you write it now?"

inquired Captain Pendleton, drawing from his pocket a rolled

writing-case, containing all that was requisite for the work.

"A thousand thanks, Pendleton. I do not see how in the name of Heaven we

could have managed without you," replied Berners, as he took the case,

unrolled it on his knee, and proceeded to write the required "power of

attorney."

"And now," said the Captain, when he received the document, "now we must

be getting back. The sun is quite low, and we have much to do. Come,

Joe, are you ready?"

"Yes, Massa Capping; ready and waitin' on you too. I ought to be at the

mill now, 'fore the miller shuts it up."

Captain Pendleton then shook hands with Mr. Berners, and Joe pulled his

front lock of wool by way of a deferential adieu, and both left the spot

and disappeared in the thicket.

But it was not until the last sound of their retreating steps, crashing

through the dried bushes, had died away, that Lyon Berners turned and

went into the church.

As he entered, a singular phenomenon, almost enough to confirm the

reputation of the place as "haunted ground," met his view.