Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-23

was kept up between him and Hildegarde.
The knowledge of this fact filed him with
doubt and uneasiness. % come back my
brother = cried he, 'ungrateful tina, am!
when was happy neglected you, and now
that l am perplexed and sad, long for you.
Come back Edward but Edward did no,
return.
1t was the day before that appointed for
the wedding. The countenance Of Hide
garde wore an unusual expresson-it demo.
ted alternately security and anxiety, calm
ness and agitation; she had never appeared
so submissive to her father-so affectionate
to her betrothed; and Hermann vibra,ed
between uneasness and hope--doubt and
confidence. The bugle of the Bronze Sol.
der was never absent from his thoughts. If
1t were heard tina, night perhaps an enemy,
a rival, might take advantage of the supersti-
tious credulty Of the Baron and destroy his
happiness for ever. He resolved to pass the
night under the window of Flildegarde, and
to stand sentinel that night over the Castle.
The household had been long wrapt in
sleep. when Hermann, completely armed,
stole down from his chamber, his beating
heart seemed to prcsage some fearful event.
The sky was covered with clouds; neither
moon nor stars were visible thick mists
hung over the valley; the air was damp and
cold the wind roared and the clock of the
Castle was on the stroke of midnight. His
sword BY his side, and dagger in his belt he
glided along under the walls. The turrct
inhabited by Hldegarde was on the platform
OF steep rock overhanging the valley. In
the darkness the adventurous knight CROPPED
his way along and stumbled frequently aginst
the stones in his path. Suddenly little dis
lance, he heard sounds like the footsteps of
a man they approached HIM, was doubt
less some rival who would play the part of
the phantom, and this cloudy night would
favor his design-he would blow three blasts
on bugle, and no one would doubt tina, a
spectre of the bronze soldier had forbidden
the marriage. Frauburgh would triumph
for who else could it be bu, Frauburgh, the
former lover of Hildegarde whom her father
had discarded The chapel clock struck
t,celvc, and light shone from one of the
easements of the turret, it was HiIdegarde's
window. As the trembling ligh, threw its
feeble rays upon the walls of the rampant, he
perceived but few PAGES before him, a war
rior armed in bronze, of lofty stature, his
visor was closed, and in hi, hand he held a
buge which he seemed in the act OF carry
ing to his lips. Hermann trembled and drew
his dagger, yet before he struck he wished
to ascertain if his bride was in league with
the pretended appariton. The window was
opened and woman wrapt in veil looked
out, as If in search ofsome one. He could no
longer doubt but that he was betrayed
Baron and himself were the destined victims
ola concerted scheme, and vengeance w0uld
be justice.
While these reflections passed rapidly
through his mind, he saw the Bronze Soldier
lift to his lips the fatal buge-and frs,
blast was blown. Blu. second was not to
follow. Hermann rushed furiously on the
mysterious unknown, and in spite of his cni-
rass plunged his dagger into the heart of his
adversary; then dragging him to the ram
part he threw him violently down the preci-
pice. A cry Of anguish resounded from the
victim ere he reached the foot of the rock,
and the shrek of agony as it reached the ear
ofthe murderer, struck him with terror, for he
seemed to recognise the plain,;ve tones o!
some we'll known voice.
The yelled figure had left the casement.--
Hermann stood motionless with terror. A
stern voice seemed to address to him the aw.
full words. Hermann, whose blood hast thou
shed" The clouds were breaking from the
sky, and the mists rolling up from the valley,
and the stars shOne out at intervals. A noise
reused him from his stupor-O unexpected
sight he was there again-,hc terrible
Bronze Soldier, his figure, his armor, were
the same; yet was not Herman's dagger red
with blood The phantom again held his
bugle to his lips. Was he indeed a spectre
from the tomb 7 Had heaven in punishment,
of his crime allowed the laws of nature TO be
interrupted2 Hermann's limbs trembed
convulsively, his brain became confused, his
teeth chartered. The bugle sounded again,
it was the second bias. if third should
sound there was an end of his love and hopes
Rage and despair now took possession oil
him-he threw himself upon his adversary
seized the bugle and threw it upon the ground
and struck with his dagger at the bronze ar
NOR. But this time it resisted the blow
Still undaunted. Hermann threw his arm
round his foe, and graphing with him at
tempted 10 throw him over the rampant, but
his enemy was too strong for him. TIL.
easement above them was opened again and
the voice Of Hildegarde was heard. The
sound gave new energy TO the Bronze Sol
der, he seized Hermann's dagger and plung-
ed i, into his body, then raising him in hi.
arms he held him suspended an instant over
the precipice before he dashed him into the
frightful gulf, and the wounded knight rolled
bleeding and lacerated to the foot Of the roch
Of Stolberg.
The miserable man was still alive--he al.
tempted to rise, but his mangled limbs were
unable TO move tho blood which flowed
from his wounded head obscured hs sight
he stretched out his arm mechanically, moi
with any hope of assistance, but by con.
vulsive movement. 0 heavens his hant
touched the face Of a corpsc-lhe frs, muir.
derer was near the first victim.
Hermann had one Of those vigorous con.
stitu,ions which struggle long ere they yielt
to death-he dried his eyes and looked rount
him. The sky was now cloudless, and BY
the light Of the moon and stars he examined