Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (2).pdf/17

 This night George determined to watch among the ruins; and when the reſt of the family were retired, he put on a box-coat, and taking a brace of piſtols repaired to the ruins. At the ſame moment as he entered the haunted Aiſle he heard footſteps, and had ſcarce time to conceal himſelf behind ſome fragments of ſtone, when the ſame maſked figure that he had beheld the preceding evening paſſed along, bearing a lighted torch. Preſently the tones of a harp ſtruck his ear: after a few intereſting moments, a voice accompanied the inſtrument. —— George could no longer reſiſt the impulſe of curioſity. But creeping ſoftly advanced along the Aiſle —— The unknown ſat on a little ſtool near the tomb on which lay his maſk. The verſes which he ſung were deſcriptive of the agony of his mind and plainly portrayed his being the murderer of ſome beautious female. The unknown aroſe Barnwell retired a few paces to a ſpot where he might remain unobſerved. —— "Am I," ſaid the mourner, "ever to endure theſe pangs? O that a blow would end them! Fool that I am, why do I heſitate to try?' He drew a piſtol from his boſom, ſaying. "This in a moment brings me to my. would I could ſay my end. —— But no, ſhe did not ceaſe to be when I plunged this ſteel into her breaſt (holding a dagger with a blood-ſtained point.) for ſtill her ruthleſs Spirit haunts her murderer —— ſteals peace from his pillow —— croſſes him in his every path —— and here, even here; while, like an outcaſt wretch, I mourn away my nights, it follows the, and makes a hell!" —— He reclined on the tomb, and covered his face with his hands —— The ſuſpicions of George were juſt, his voice, his his face, proclaimed this murderer to be Mental —— In a few moments he exclaimed, "Away, this dream of horror! Was ſhe not faithleſs as fair? —— O. Phyſician! omnipotent Phyſician! —— Mental art thou turning Monk —— Can interceſſion prevail with the