The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-04-26

pursuing enemy. Trembling, almost faInt-
ing she Law in one corner Of the vault, when
suddenly steps were heard descending, tor
cles flashed around the walls, and, in a
momeut after, the voice Of her prosecutor
struck upon her ear. Didst thou think
thou hadst escaped met No, no, fair
maiden you shall live or die with Lands
chaden. Throw open the door. Helm
rich ~ and, catching her up III his arms, he
was bearing her forward through the door,
which one Of those who were with him had
unlocked, to n rocky path leading down to
the river. The horror of his touch, how
ever, drew sudden scream from the lips
of Gertrude, and, setting her down, he cried
with blasphemous exclamation, She
will draw them hither with her cries BY
| Heaven | will drive my dagger into her -
Stav," he continued A" let us look out ~
and he took two or three steps forth down
the hill" Fire and blood ~ he cried af-
ter a moments pause, " here is Count Err
lach's banner"
Inspired with instant hope Of making her
self heard, Gertrude uttered scream on
! scream; but the fierce. Landschaden
bounded back towards her with his dagger
in his hand, exclaiming" Stay her, slay her
we must fight to the last or die; but she
shall not escape! !"
A step more would have brought him to
the vault but, at that moment, there was
loud explosion above. The voices of the
cannon were unheard in the roar-lhe
Landschaden looked up towards the blazing
walls an immense mass of stonework de-
scended through the air, and, striking on
his brow and chest, rolled, with his dead
body, slowly down the rock. Gertrude
darted forward towards party of men adj
vancing quickly up the steep. There was
a knight leading them on, sword in hand
with the banner Of her fathers lord waving
above his head. " Save me save me save
mo !" cried she, aud as she reached his
{ knees, and clasped them with her extend
cd arms, sense and thought, terror, and Joy,
aud hope, all passed away ut once, and she
fell PROSTATE before Count Ellach's feet.
With the terrible sensation of one waking
from long swoon, Gertrude Enclosed her
eyes, aud gazed around her as some castle
clock was striking eleven. There was the
| light of many tapers in the room, and rich
tapestry waved on every side, while hang
lngs of white, aud crimson, and gold, sur
rounded the splendid bed Oh which she lay.
| The arms OF the Counts of Erlach, en-
! blazoned with rich colouring, ornamented
the ceilings, and the furniture, and all a
round her, was a dream of magniiicence,
such as she had never seen before her.
Round table, ia the middle of the room,
stood three persons, while several girls, IN
the garb OF waitlng-womeu, appeared ut the
other side of the room. The first Of the
nearer three was an old man, in the gurb
of physician, pouring some fluid from a
phal into u Venice glass, and his face was
4 turned directly towards Gertrude. On one
4 side of the table, stood an old man, of pow
orful frame, clad partly in armour; and
Gertrude knew her father. Those two
were bareheaded hut ou the side nearest
to her, with his buck towards her, stood one
who wore his crimson bonnet and high
plume; beside him lay pile of armour,
cast hastily down, and from his shoulders
fell an easy cloak, lined will, rich furs, and
tied with tassels of gold.
" "This, my Lord Count will bring her to
herself, will insure" said The leech, as he
poured out the medicine; " she does not
faint though the fit is long and terrible !"
Where can Wihelm be !" thought
Gertrude but she FASTENED to relieve her
fathers fears, txclniming, in n voice still
faint, My father" !"
! All started, and turned towards her, at
| the sound but II was not old Karl Muller
reached her first. That gay aud glilterlng
cavalier dropped at once the glass he was
taking from the physician, darted forward,
caught her in his arms, and pressed her
nUain and noain unto his heart. Trpn-
bling, fearful. uncertain; yet hoping, thrill.
ing with fancies it seemed madness to be-
lieve, she pushed him gently back, and
gazed upon his face. Ii is it is !" she
cried casting her arms round his neck,
" Wilhelm dear Wihelm !" Then, sink
, ing back again, she pointed to the gltterng
coat of arms that hung above that bridal
bed.
"True !" he said, " dear Gertrude, it is
all quite true"
d" Then know you, Wilhelm" she said
almost mouruiuly bu, who am l 7"
: "Gertrude, Grailn of Erlach, my own
dear wife " replied the Count; noble
both by your fathers aud your mothers
/, side, and with dover of beauty and of
goodness worth "a princes hand you are
mine, Gertrude niue for ever. Tomorrow
, will tell you more. Now, rest sweet girl
rest, and recover from all you have suf-
fered. Your lover, your husband will watch
by your side; and, safe in his castle, aud
guarded by his care, no more such sad
scenes shall happen, as those which have
chequered Gertrude's brida-day."
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