Cruel As The Grave

"Sweet wife, I would rather convince you how completely your senses have

deceived you. Your imagination has been excited while your nerves were

depressed. You have heard the legend of the Haunted Chapel, and while

sleeping within it you conjured up the heroine of the story in your

dream where she immediately took the form of incubus."

"I!--the legend! What are you talking of, Lyon? I have heard the church

called the Haunted Chapel indeed, but I never even knew that there was

any story connected with it," exclaimed Sybil, in surprise.

"Really? Never heard the legend of 'Dubarry's Fall'?" inquired Mr.

Berners, with equal surprise.

"Never, upon my word."

"Well, it is an old tradition; forgotten like the family with whom it

was connected. I heard it in my childhood; but it had slipped my memory

until your graphic description of the gipsy girl in the red cloak

recalled it to my mind, and led me to believe that your knowledge of the

legend had so impressed your imagination as to make it conjure up the

heroine of the legend."

"What is the legend? Do tell me, Lyon."

"Not now, dearest. You must first have some coffee, which a faithful

friend has provided for us."

"Captain Pendleton?" eagerly inquired Sybil.

"No, dear, our servant Joe. I do not expect to see Captain Pendleton

until nightfall," added Lyon Berners, for he tried to anticipate and

prevent any troublesome questions that Sybil might ask, as he wished to

save her from needless additional pain as long as he possibly could.

"And Joe is here with us?" inquired Sybil, cheerfully.

"No, dear; he has returned home; but will come again to-night."

"But what news did he bring?"

"None. We will hear from Captain Pendleton to-night. Now you must have

some coffee; and then I will tell you the 'Legend of the Haunted

Chapel'; for that legend, Sybil, may well account for your vision,

whether we look on it from my point of view or from yours--as illusion

or reality," said Lyon Berners.

"Or, stay," he added, reflectively; "it is too cold for you to sup in

the open air. I will bring the things in here."

"Well, let me go with you, to help to bring them in, at least," pleaded

Sybil.

"What! are you really afraid to stay here alone?" inquired Lyon,

smiling, with an attempt at pleasantry.

"No, indeed; but all smells mouldy inside this old church. At least it

does since the sun set, and I would like to go out and get a breath of

fresh air," replied Sybil, quite seriously.

"Come, then," said Lyon.

They went out together.

The fire that had been built by Joe was now burnt down to embers; but

the coffee-pot sat upon these embers, and the coffee was hot.