The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-04-05

IL IdtC pCOl SuCSSCo W
any one who watched the expression of
his handsome features, that the assidui-
ties he lavished had little in them of
real feeling, and that his heart was far
away, rather than with the being at
his side.
The vast multitude without the gates
had stood in hushed expectation as the
knights foremost in the procession rode
through; but when the Count and
Countess came in sight, burst of joy
o1s acclamation rent the air, and was
repeated again and again. Count
Friedrich waved his hand, and bowed
on either side, in acknowledgment of
the welcome, but the Lady Elizabeth
looked not to the right nor to the left,
passing coldly on, as if the shouts of
her loyal liegemen. in which her name
rang SO loudly, had been altogether un-
heard. Moresthan once her husband
fixed upon her questioning and anxious
looks, as if seeking to divine the cause
of such strange sullennness; but she
answered him not by look or word
They passed into the open country, and
the shouts died away in indistinct MUIR
murs. Their path wound along the
base of a mountain, rocky fragments OF
which had been precipitated into the
valley by some former convulslon OF
nature Huge boulders, overgrown
with gray moss, lay piled in confusion
below and, above, seemed poised in
the act of falling, and restrained by
some invisible hand. From the Gre
vices between the rocks grew tall fir
trees, which now and then projected
so as to throw shadow over the road,
and torrents leaping madly down the
cliffs, lasned themselves into snowy
spray, or wandered through cavernous
recesses into the smiling vale. 1t was
a wild yet lovely scene, and had lis in
huence on many hearts in that sprightly
company. Count Friedrich, at every
turn, pointed out some new beauty IN
the romantic picture; and the Countess
listened with an appearance of some
thing like pleasure, when on sudden
she checked her steed with an ex-
clamation Of angry surprise. Upon a
rock little to the left, but directly
facing them, stood an old woman mean
| ly clad, with sharp aud withered fea-
lures, who extended her hand towards
the lady, as if desifous OF addressing
her
"It is the same crone," whispered
one of the danes TO another, awho
forced her way last night into my lady,s
presence. | marvel what doth she
heren'
.Give her an aims said The Cnnnt
"and bid her stand aside"
The woman repelled the offered gift
and pressed forward, selling the bride
of the Countess, on whose face hel
eyes were fixed so earnestly that she
seemed needless of any other. 81
have asked hearing. lady, and have
been denied.n she said in a low tone
but significantly. Bid your servitor'
admit me-for | come on no idle er
rand. l have that to say which vii
bring you health and pleasure
Elizabeth struggled TO free her brl
die, which the seeming medicant haf
grasped. "Take her hence!f she crlet
in tones Of high displeasure. and turn
ing to her attendant see that Sht
comes not near me-on yonr peni. !
esteem her mine enemy who shall hole
parley with herw
"Nay," interrupted the Count, g j
she have aught to say
"a foul imposter-a lunatlc !" ex
claimed the lady-much agitated.-
"Take her from the wayW
Her manner was so imperative tha
the order was obeyed; but not till tht
woman had again spoken in the ears
the naughty Countess.
Farewell, Countess of CIlly," sht
said-sfthis scorn avails you not; tor
must work the will of one higher thai
yourselfl We will meet again, an'
then, perchance, you will not be to-
proud to listen"
The face of Elizabeth expressed ;
severe conflict of emotions-but sh,
controlled them by strong effort, an
rode on. Count Friedrich, struck by
sudden impulse, turned back, an
riding to the place where stood tn
mendicant, flung her purse, contain
ing several pieces of silver. Sh
snatched it from the ground, and nut
tering an execration, threw 1t back to
wards him. The action was so singu
lar that he stopped for an instant, as
about to question the beldame; bu
changing his purpose, he wheele
round and rejoined his lady, havini
given orders to one Of his esquires t
! watch the woman, as a suspicious,
not dangerous person-and to plac
her in custody, should he see cause fo
her arrest.
There was much talk among the nc
bles, as the goodly company pursue
their way to the forest. of the noble
/ ness and generosity of Count Friedrich
the mirror of chivalry and the soul {
gentle courtesy. Nor was discours
lacking of the bearing of the Counties
which for the last few months had be
came strangely sullen, capriclous an
repulsive. The gloom on her fac
seemed deepened by the incident
the morning, while the gaiety of tn
Count was more exhilirating than eve
They dreamed not that she might hav
Oh