The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-18

Ing billows but was at length thrown with yio-
fence against the rocks, and when the yassals of
the castle had succeeded i'm bearing him to the
shore, ne was insensible. Hour after hour the
baron ana katrine hung anxiously over his couch,
watching Tor signs OF returning consciousness,
De' ne renamed pale and motionless as the work
OF statuary; his faint breathing and a slight
pulsalion alone giving evidence that life was not
extinct. al length a delicate flush overspread
ms marble countenance; his eyelids gently
raised, and he gazed in bewildered establishment
on all around him.
Fear not" said the baron "you are with
friends, who will watch over you carefully, I'M
III you have recovered from your late disastern
Inc following morning he was able to relate
the circumstances which had led him there He
gave MS name as Hildebrand, young knight
OF Hanover. He had been engaged in the chase
the DAY before, and had followed the deer so far
that ne lostsight of his companions, and wan
dered through the intricate mazes of the forest,
not knowing whittier his way might lead. Soon
the tempest arose, and rs he reached the opening
OF the forest, ignorant of his proximity TO the
Rhine, until he was precipitated down the fright
full chosm. He expressed his gratitude in the
highest terms TO his noble host for his kindness.
and wish 70 leave the castle as soon as posi-
Bile. The extreme debility resulting from his
late accident, however, prccladed the possibility
of his immediate departure Besides, the rava-
ges of the storm had rendered the highways inn
passable.
During this time the fair Katrine left no means
untried to cheer the lingering hours. Her harp
beguiled those moments which would otherwise
have been tedious, and her voice, whose melody
was uErivalled, seemed even more sweet than it
was wont to be, as she sung the wild and beau
tilul legends Of their country. Charmed by her
beauty, her accomplishments, and filial affection,
hA..
attached 10 Katrine, while she returned his affec-
ton with fond dolatry. Thus passed day after
day in peace and happiness, and the only sorrow
which dimmed katrine's pleasures was tire
thought of parting, and his wish that their en-
gagement should be concealed from her father,
until he should return TO claim his affianced
bride. Sincere and trusting, she yielded to the
convection that he was urged TO this wish by
powerful motives, then unknown to her. nor al
lowed the slightest suspicion OF his consistency to
enter her mind.
One bright morning three weeks after his
arrival al the castle, a courier alightcd with
dispatches for Hildebrand AS he perused
them cloud rested upon his brow, and he
FASTENED TO find Katrine. He told her that his
presence was demanded at court, but with ma
ny Promises of a speedy return, he babe her a
fond farewell. Weeks, nay, even months pass
ed away and still Katrine received no tidings
from her stranger lover. She had Withdrawn her
selflrom gay society, and her gladstone laugh
no bnger resounded through the silent halls
Her anxious parent saw with anguish the sor-
row of his child, and finally won from her the
tale Of her love- In vain he used every endea-
vor o find the retreat of their guest. The name
of Hiideband was unknown to any of the ba.
rons of the vicinity, and he was forced to re-
linqlish his fruitless inquiry. AT length it was
announced that a tournament was to be held at
the capital, in honor of the nuptials of the Elec-
tor of Hanover, and the baron hoping that this
scene Of gaiety would dissipate her melancholy,
won the consent Of Katrine to accompany him.
unusual erisRdor, and-he eye-or kaIrIne beam
ed with the light of hope, as she took her place
in gallery commanding full view of the field
OF action. :. Surely" she thought 10 herself,
- when the bravest of The land are about to sig
nalize themselves, Hildebrand will not desert the
noble band"
The field was elegantly prepared and the
tents, glittering with all the splcndor OF martial
added double richness to the scene
On either side Of the lists were galleries Of blue
and red and purple silk, crowded with the beauty
of the land. All was anxious expectation
Soon shout Of Joy from the assembled multi
tude announced that the elector and his young
bride were approaching Mounted on a fiery
charger. which he managed with perfect skill
hi, noble form appeared to the best advantage
His bride rode beautiful white palfrey, and
though there was something noble in her flash
ING eve and masculine firmness, still her beauty
could not be compared, without dsparagement,
to the angelic loneliness of katrlne. AS they
advanced near the place where Katrinc was
seated, an underlined horror thrilled through her
frame, vet her eyes remained fixed upon the
prince. Surely il was the same noble FORM
Could il be Hlildebrand2 He turned his dark
eve upon her and met her anxious glance the
color receded fom his cheek. She uttered
faint cry of agony, pronounced the name OF Hi
debrapd, and fell senseless into the arms OF her
attendants.
The tale can be told in few words. Her
faithless lover had been summoned from his de-
I,ghtful retreat at Ehlendorf by the duties OF
state; and ambition had led him to form an ALI
ance from which his heart revolled. In the
cares of state and the hilarity of his nuptals he
had in n measure drowned the memory of ka-
trne but now she seemed torise like a gentle spirit
TO reproye his falsehood. The arrows ofremorse
had entered his soul and poisoned his ENJOY
ment. Though surrounded by all the honors
and dignities of this world, he found no peace.
Katrine was borne by her afflicted parent TO their
once happy home but the light of existence had
fled forever, and the house Of Ehlendorf was
soon 10 be remembered as among the dead.
few sad wears rolled on. The baron was borne
to his last resting place. Karine with her atten-
dants alone remained within the walls. Atlength
she yielded up her vast domains in favor of a
distant relative with this restriction, that the old
castle should remain undisturbed, and as II was
reported, retired TO convent in Switzerland.
From this period the old fortress was left to the
ravages of time, uninhabited by any mortal,
though the superstitious inhabitants OF the vlci-
nifty declared il to be the abode of supernatural
beings A tall form, according 10 the neighbor-
ing villagers, robed in white, had been seen upon
the batllements at midnight, while strains OF
wild unearthly melody were heard iioating on
the breeze; and when the storm was raging, the
same spirit form was seen lowering over the
yawning chasm and keeping its fearful viglls
where no mortal foot burst approach. The be-