The Black Cross

rozen and padded as with a carpet, and the sound of sleigh-bells rang muffled in the distance. It was night and dark, with a bitter wind that came shrieking about the corners, blowing the snow,

ge and covered. Behind and on top several boxes were strapped, protected fro

karéta made a sudden lurch forward; then, with guttural oaths and exclamations, the animals were reined back on their haunches, slipping and sliding on the i

ng. The karéta, the driver and the horses were covered with snow, lashed by it, blinded with it. They waited wearily. From tim

ce and shy as if Satan himself had stuck a dart in you! He

fell from him in a shower. After a while the door of the hous

t you, are you ready?

onsieur Velas

boxes

, Bá

my valise,

, Bá

eared, carrying a violin-case under his arm, which he screened from the wet with the folds of

gods! I never felt such cold. My fingers are like frozen sticks. There! N

ddling himself in the furs; the windows were shut and his breath

th were chattering and his whole body shivered against the cushions.

of a sudden he gave an exclamation, alarmed, half suppressed,

lone! Velasco crouched back instinctively, putting out both hands as if to ward off a blow. He listened, peering. Sure

hesitating and then groping again. It was as though something, someone were

st recesses of the karéta. His hands grasped a cloak, a human shoulder, a body. It dragged away from him. He clutched it and something

and then, as the carriage dashed on through the darkness, he dragged the thing forward, nearer-nea

ose, close, straining forward. As he did so the rays of a street lamp fell through the glass, a

was crouching away from him, holding her hands be

e you? Speak, for the love of heaven!

en he dropped the hand and from his pocket he snatched a match, striking it against the side of the carriage. It sputtered and went out. He struck another. It flickered for a moment and he held it between his hands,

a-Ka

er the fur. "You came after all," he whispered hoarsely, "I t

her shoulder touched his. "You pr

s;

changed

the wind shriek! The hoofs of the horses are padded with snow; they are galloping. How

extraordinary to be sitting there in that dark, black cave, his hand clasping

ut of a dream and sprang to the window, wip

his is not the Station. Wher

ered suddenly by a

is one of us. Come with me; and I pray you, I beseech you,

The storm and the wind beat against them. He ran blindly forward, battling with the gale; but fast as he went she went f

ke my hand in the court-let me lead you. I know every step. Run-run! You waited so l

er, running with their heads bowed against the wind, struggling

this. Stop! You mad thing, you witch! Wher

moment further. Come, Monsieur. A

d pushed it madly. It yielded. He sprang in b

distance, tall and stately like pines in a forest; the aisles were broad and shadowy, leading far off in a

urmured, faltering.

ith tears. Her veil was white with the snow, like a bride's. She dragged at his hand, and he

red and restless, like fireflies gleaming. Otherwise the nave, the chancel, the transepts were a

seemed to melt from the back of the choir and stood on the steps; two were figures in cloaks; the third was a priest. His surplice shone in th

ess. The noise of them was terrible. He would have covered his ears with his hands, but the gi

thed, "ah, come,

s were dulled; his will was inert. When he came to himself he was kneeling beside h

always, and ever, an

r their salvation.… That he will send down upon them perfect and peaceful love.… That he will preserve them in oneness of mind and in steadfastness

have m

mist. The girl by his side was a wraith; they were dead, and this was some strange unaccountable happening in another world. T

ill and a firm intention to take unto thyself to wife

f answering, strangely, dreamily,

reveren

omised thyself to

mised myself, r

crown down on his forehead; it weighed on his br

hand-maid of God, Kaya. In the name of the Fathe

ervant of God, Velasco. In the name of the Fathe

crown them with

crown them with

crown them with g

face; he was breathing heavily. T

dom, bless you, and grant you length of days, … prosperity of life and faith: and fill you with all abundance of earthly good things, and

Son and to the Holy Spirit now,

me

red to his feet, dragging the girl up with him. She trembled and shook, pushing him back with her hands; her e

nearer, and the two cloaked figures. They all signed; and then he felt the paper crackling in the

or in the wall, the cloisters, the arch, bowing their heads; and there was the carriage, a great blot of whiteness, the horses l

the carriage closed behind them. In that moment, as it closed, the horses leaped together, as twin bullets

Thank you, Monsieur, ah, I thank you! We shall be at the station directly; then a few hours mor

ely hear it for the lurching of the carriage. The horses gave a final plunge forward, and

ckmen and officials, workmen carrying coloured lanterns. "Not a second t

darted beside him. "If we miss it!" he heard her crying in his

he tickets, the passports for you and for me!

the valise from Velasco's hand: "Her

compartment; they were saved! Velasco gave a little laugh of triumph. He was hugging his violin close in his arms, and opposit

fe now. I told you I had the passports. Are

see?" she breathed, "There-on the platform-Boris

avens, what a night it has been! My heart is going still like a hammer-is yours? Lean back on the cushions-put

the curtain! He is talking to the official-The train

onsieur! The officials are clustered together, talking-there is some excitement! T

in his throat. The two turned and gazed

ing from compartment to compartment-He is loo