The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-01-19

pole-axe. Dropping inside the courtyard,
he came directly ugder her window, and
said in low voice:
"Hist! Hildegard! it is I, Max"
She restrained cry with difficulty. 30.
Max" she said, "Gon't stay there, you
will be lost!' '' +" 7.'
al suspect he will, answered the voice
Of the Baron; and in one moment dozen
retainers had surrounded Graf Max, beaten
down his defence, and made him prisoner.
His presence was explained by the fact of
his having met a messenger from the En-
peror dispensing with his attendance; and
on his return, "a peasant had informed him
Of the carrying away ofhis betrothed.
Poor Hildegard had sunk back nearly
fainting, when the entfence Of her persecu-
tor forced her to summon up all her cour-
age. "
"Well, fair dame, as your intended mate
is now caught and Gagged, perhaps you will
think better of the proposal ! made you =
l have broad lands, and a stout arm. You
cannot do better..'' OIL af"t19'Hi2ffr .''
N "Sir Baron, the detestation that l had for
you is now coupled with the deepest con-
tempt. You are as cowardly as you are
brutal, or you would not thus misuse the in
offensive. Know them, once for all, that
Ilildegard Countess Won Sails. rather than
even touch your hand, would have her own
right arm hewn ftom the shoulder. And
now give me at least relief from your pres
ence; and you maidens, keep better watch
and see that yekeep the bolt in the staples -
Then did the high and mighty Franz Ba-
ron Won Katzenellenbogen return to his hall
in a rage. - aHf "1fai'nv' g a7a'.a ,on't )
'HseGurse that little mankin?' he cried
awhat good has il done to catch the birds
if cannot make them sing? Curses on the
little wrvtchpfo1M gr ga ohi5 i# 2sniTnI
y Scarcehad he said this wien whistle
was heard behind him, that pierced in
to tohisyery brain, and seemed as is ifitwould
eut the nerves in two ~ ltH0 MA
+ ."Iiark you, Baron,' said the little man,
Hdon't 'teurse your friends before they fall
but to morrow do as I tell you" He whis
pered few words in tile Baron's ear, and
walked throaghthe wall as ON the first oe
casion, And the lord at Katzenellenboger
looked pleased. and having chuckled mirth
fully over his mighty passet, retired to his
couch and snured. o #T7faa H' t 9
.eiYg sa .asr VI. Eaa .s. Ht tH"
% The mornmg rose fresh, dewy, and Sc.
rene. The glad voices Of the birds mingled
with the scent If the flowers, and went up
through the atmosphere toward God. And
Hildegard rose early and seated herself sad
ly by her bedside, when her morning pray.
-essSwes ended, aGs Ssgaa te.lhink Of hel
mourn full lot t.5l @tl'a lsa 9ia.5H2
h Abrattling fanfure startledher from hel
meditation, and drew her to the window. -
In the court-vard below was scaffold dres
sed, hung with black cloth, and surrounded
by the retaners of the house of katzenellen
bogen. Upon it, marked and clothed in red
stood the tall Scharflicher, or headsman,
leaning upon his sword. Beside him, pale
gagged, with his hands bound behind hinl
knelt Graf Max Won Steinrad. With Shrek
the poor girl fell back and covered her face
with her hands; then raising, she ran to the
door, drew the bolts, opened it, and found
herself face to face with the Baron aa'
ooh, save him! save hm!" she cried.
"Coue withyme, fair dame," he answer
ed; and taking her hand he led her back to
theswindow There, you see, is yourlover
You have now ten minutes to decide wheth-
err you will 90 With me to the altar, or see
his head striken from his shoulders. ~
Hidegard fell at his feet, crying; 80 my
lord have you no mercy? Think Of your
own mother" ~ ta-rE su
a "Mg father won her with the sword"
"Bat you got possession of our person by
treachery," .sE Hss
ay"Oh, aliis fair in lover 30... a.
ag3Is there then no way to save him?,
aotsYes; become my wife" & 'a@ .
J"l cannot! | cannotw .Gsa.rfla ...N
"Then take your last look at him; for
when,I have counted three, his head will
roll in, the dust" aa. .i 'r. ..'.
1" Mercy" cried Hildegsrd .| d.
"0nep said the Baron, and the execu-
toner drew himself up. .a.
"Max! dear Maxi she called from the
window, turning her streaming eyes toward
her betrothed. He turned his pale face to-
ward her and made her mute sign of a
dieu.
"4wor' and the htadsman swung his
sword on high Then Hldegard, white as
ashes, stretched OUT her hand to the Baron,
and said: a ....... -.-. ...a....
"Lead me to the chapelF'
81 "Unbind the prisoner and lead him to
his room," ordered the Baron. Now come
my bride. N
And he led her to the chapel, and the
nuptail benediction was pronounced; and
Hildegard was Baron Won Katzenellenbogen.
She fell fsinting, and was carried by her
maids into the sacristy. r-,a .. a..r,..
While the Baron was still standing; they
heard cry of alarm from the sentinel, and
the fudal lord sprang forth and mounted the
wall. Lol on the other side Of the wall sat
Hildegard upon a snow-white palfrey, and
waved her hand to him, and struck her
horse with a light whip, and away like the
wind, lie sprang from The wall, and across
the draw-bridge; there stood ajet- black char
ger sad4lcd, and withouta moments thought
the Baron leaped upon his back and drove
the spurs into his sides. The bound Of the
steed was Ike the svoop Of an eagle and he
Numbered down the hill. God; whata wild
ride! splashing through marsh and brook,
scramblng through !hicket and rocky pass,
the women and the palfrey before, the Baron
behind on his svart steed, that snortea with
fury. On Up the Rhine, through startled
hamlet, dark cedar wood, on past the rock
Of the Lorelei to the house Of boatman on
th3 shore. Here HI saw Hildegard spring
from her palfrey, and INTO sLif, which with
one light push She sent from the shore, A