Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-16

the castle; be returned almost Immediately,
and spoke some words in low voice; with
basty exclamation. the knight again strobe
along the pavement.
The impotence of Sir Guy had gradually
communicated to the company. One by one
the cavaliers checked the praEcing and cur
vettineaof their mettlcd steeds, and gathered
into groups, while some of the elder knights,
with grave tones and frowning brows, ill-con-
cealing the smile upon their lips, were vainly
reproving the reckless gibes and witty con-
ceits which their junior compeers unsparingly
lavished upon the tardy movements OF the
bridal party.
AT this moment the appearance of Hugo
Won Rheinstein himself put stop to the
needless gossip of the cavaliers.
'.In good sooth valiant friend,' said the
old Baron, GRITTY, '-an' you were as sick of
woman's freaks as l am, you would not be in
snch hurry to wed one. l can make no
better speed with you witless maiden. if you
were to make king OF me. She heeds not
this gallant show" and the old Baron looked
proudly around the court yard. "nor the rare
garments. nor Respondent jewels, that thou
hast bestowed on her. The foolish pet has
spent the morning in tears: but skillful
leech has administered to her sleeping
potion. which he says will wien she wakens,
make her dutcous and obedient to our will"
De Courc, Y hit his lip.
Good grant it may" said he, in stifed
voice, 'for by the rood. Sir Baron. this is but
sorry news to bring an impatient bridegroom.
Mayhap,' said he, in the tone of one who
catches at some sudden hope, ''some idle tire
woman have alarmed their lady by the men
ton of yonder knaves. Maidens are timid,
and love not at such a time as this the rude
gaze of armed men. | will dismiss the noisy
varlets, and with those brave knights and
gallant gentlemen Dafipntlv await the UaEpn-
ing Of the lady Bertha"
at needs notD said Won Rheinsten,
proudly. Bertha is of war-lke race, and from
her childhood the clang and clash of steel
have ever sounded in her ears as lightly as her
lute.r
''She is the filter for soldiers BRIDE" ex-
claimed Sir Guy. with happy smile But
stay, Sir Hugo; while you present my loving
duty to your daughter tell her beware how
she casts wealth and honor thus recklessly
away-to take heed the day come not when
she shall lament it bitterly but in vain"
With a conntenance black as midnight the
French knight strobe On-and luckily, for an
oath had sprung to fierce old Hugo's lips, and
his ready hand had already touched his sword
an action which had not passed unnOticed by
the gay assembly.
The Baron Won Rheinstein re-entered his
castle. He passed into a lofty hall, elabor-
ately covered with the armorial bearings OF
the Won Rheinsteins, and assembled a winding
staircase. He paused at the top, and entered
a small turret chamber, whose only recon-
mendatiOn as an abode for beauty was the
prospects its narrow easements presented of
the lovely Rhine and its verdant valleys. On
the floor, which was strewn with PUSHES. sew
eral costly articles of female apparel lay scat
tered. The Baron approached couch at the
upper end of the room; and drawing aside a
curtain, gaZed long and anxiously. The
flower of Rheinstein lay before him-a fair
young girl still, but the ripe lip, the rounded
cheek, the first delicate bloom and freshness
of early youth had fed. In the unconscious
gracefuness of sleep her head rested on her
white upturned arm; her golden hair had
escaped from under chaplet of white roses,
and far and wide it streamed in rich profusiOn
on her neck and shoulders, her cheeks were
flushed, her long silken lashes wet as with
recent tears, and DER that sad. sweet face
there fitted a bland, unmeaning smile.
Gertrude said the Baron to a tire-maid
that was beside her, fetch thy lutte" The
leech said it would wake yet to soothe her.
The girl rose. took her Lutte and seating
herself on low tressel at her mistresS's feet
after a slight prelude, began little lay OF
touching sweetness. Again that wild fitful
smile played upon the lady's features-heI
lids moved. DuI no SOuIiu eScaDeu-leT eve
lids were slowly elevated, the deep blue CRIBS
rested on the figure of the barOn--she started
wildly from her couch and pressed her small
white hands over her forehead. as if to recall
her scattering thoughts from that dread leth
argy. The Baron made a quick, impatient
sign. Her maidens thronged around her
They clasped Sir Guys choicest gift-a zone
of rubies-round her slender waist, then flung
a silken mantle over her eXqusitely moulded
SHOULDERS vail of filmy gauZe descended
to her feet. Mute, mOtionless, the passive
victim stood beneath their hands-a slight
convulsive shudder alone betrayed her inward
agony as, Selling her unresisting hand, tht
baron led her to the hall.
A low murmur of admiration ran along thu
castle yard. KnightsNpd esquires bent t.
their saddle in mute devotion to the FlOwe
of Rheinstein. Statue like that queenly form
stood, gazing with vague mournfulnes
around her, as if seeking for some fond, ia
miliar face. In vain the Baron pressed he
hand and whispered in her ear. He ther
raised his plumed casque and bowed repeat
eddy TO the armed throng. At the same mo
ment De Surcey approached, leading the whit
palfrey; and with a suave smile upon hi
grim visage he lifted the fair Bertha on it
then seizing the silken rein. he bounded Oh
his own charger, and waving his hand, tn
brilliant suite of knights and men-of-arm
formed around, and slowly followed by tn
swarthy Saracens, the cavalcade issued from
the castle-yard.
On the borders of the old forest, that sur
rounded the castle Won Rheinstein, stood tn
Abbey of ST. Ethold. 1t had originally bee
built and endowed in atonement for som
wild deed by Ranulph, first Baron Won Rhein
stein; but none of his successors happening
to excel either in piety or wealth, they grad
IL Il
its support, and though still used as the las
resting place cf the race of Won Rheinstein
the ancient order of monks had long been dis
| persed, and the Wondering walls and dilapl
dated arches were fast crumbling into dust.
Leaning against one of the broken column:
| in the interior of the chapel, stood a man @
tall and graceful figure, but of such delicat
! proportions as to convey an idea OF i'll health
| He was in full armOr, which looked rattle
! soiled and travel stained, wore neither ores
nor blade, and from an appearance of menta
and bodily exhaustion the stranger seemed t
have journeyed long and hurriedly. TIL
visor of his helmet was up, and displayed tn
, noble countenance of a young man abou
| three or four-and-twenty, but so careworl
and CHASTITY, that it seemed Death had alread
set his seal upon it. The strangers eye
wandered round the sculptured walls, storic
! with bygone splendors of the Won Rheinstein
it passed Tot on the proud record of deed
his own had quailed; his gaze fell upon a fey
| garlands of fresh pulled flowers, which tn
nuns OF the neighboring convent had indus
triously hung around the walls. At thi
moment the gathering of hoofs, mingled wit
| the hum of many voices, was borne on his cal
! A faint glow tinged the pale cheek of til
youth-he started from his recumbent pos
ture, and drawing up his slight form to it
full height he approached a small opening
cut in the solid masonry. The priests whit
garments futtered past him. Then came
| gallant company. Onward they swept, wit
nodding plumes and giittering spears. TIL
| stranger saw none-needed none-his who'll
faculty and vision seemed TO have fixed oil
one hated form A knight rode slowly by