The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-05-04
"a Chapter from the Romance of the "Black
Mask
The Baron's Leap from the Battle
meptS.

At daylight the plain to the northward
of the Castle was whitened with the tents
of the beleaguering army To TIE sum-
mons to capituIate, the Baron had replied
by hanging the envoy over the northern
battlements, in full sight of the besiegers
Having taken n hearty breakfast, the
Baron proceeded into the Castle yard
and caused Black Donnerschlag, his favo
rite charger. to be saddled and capari-
soned. Then, taking him by the bride,
he led him up the grand staircase, out
upon the roof, while the trembling SER
wants and perturbed vassals gazed in
breathless amazement upon this strange
and inexplicable proceeding. Having,
not without difficulty, accomplished this
feat, Ahrendt expressed his satisfaction
by Il series Of pOrtentous chuckles, and
delivering the bride into the hands Of
servant, proceeded to the wine cellar
From the cellar he proceeded to the
apartment of the Countess Amelia, and
without the ceremony of knocking, en-
tered abruptly. The lady started at the
aspect Of her victor, and gazed upon him
in amazement, not unmlngled with ter
rOr.
There was indeed something most un-
usual in the Baron's look and bearing
Hewas Transformed as if by miracle. His
eye was bright with Il strange fire, and All
eXulting smile lit up his countenance--
He seemed twenty years younger than
when she had last beheld him.
Countess" he said. my enemies have
got me at last The bishops and priests,
with their free lances and burgher bands.
surround the Castle. Ny guests are
ready to betray me, to secure their Own
safety. My servants are like Il parcc, OF
panic stricken sheep and will make no
hearty resistance. ] have about an hou.
to live and that is quite enough. | mean,
however, to make the most of il. Here
are few bottles of wine, such :iie
Emperor never tasted. | have long kept
it hid away from my own thicving bUu>r.
for an occasion like the present, and ah>
now going to enjoy it in your company.
The terrified Countess glanced round
the apartment for some way of escape,
but there was none. The Baron hlu
closed and bolted the door behind him
when he entered, ana the windows were
firmly secured. She knew that it was
vain TO call for help, and she read in the
Baron's eye flashes of that overnastering
power which desperate men possess, who
have prepared themselves to defy fate,
and meet death himself half way. Yet
there was nothing forced or overstrained
in his gayety and his manner and tones
were natural and spontaneous.
g Nay, why are you alarmed?' resumed
Ahrendt, reading all her fears in her di-
lated eyes, Il shall do you no injury
They have named me the Cruel but not
the mean. am going to die myself,
but have no objection that you should
live. | am am not one of those envious
and selfish fellows who want the world to
end when they step out OF 1T. On the
contrary, l am willing that all of you
whom leave behind shall have good
time il, for the balance of your lease.
l have even concluded TO forego part
of my intended revenge. l have had
enough of even that. Theresore. / shall
not, as | meant yesterday. kill the Count
and marry you. | shall leave you your
lover. Meanwhile. let me enjoy my hour.
Let us be sociable."
So saying Ahrendt produced from be-
meath his cloak three dirty cobwebbed
bottles and couple of glasses. With his
hunting-knife he knocked off the top of
one of the bottles, and seating himself
beside the trembling Amelia, filled the
glasses.
Il see" he reaumcd' ''that you have
no faith in me, and are still afraid. l
vii, if you desire it, call up the Bishop,
, to make a third. That might be best
perhaps to avoid scandal, and prevent
| the Count. Your husband, from being
| jealous when he learns of this tete-a-tete. -
SO saying, the Baron unlocked the door,
and summOnlng n servant, ordered the
| Bishop to be conducted to the apartment.
"Fa:her," said the Baron. when the
! eccesiastic made bis appearance, Il am
| about to fulfill the iortune-teler's predic-
| ton. In less than an hour | shall be-no
/ Il,
solaCc my last moments with 4 little
| pleasant conviyiality in the best company
within my reach. What society can be
more delightful than that Of a young
woman and a reverend and learned dig
nitary Of the Church like yourself. Nay
not word of remonsrance, nor 4 second
of hesitation. \ dying man has 4 right
to be tyrannical. | feel now quite like :
saint or an angel: but if | ann crossed in
my humor, the sleeping devil in my sou
may awakcn-and the consequences botl
to her and vou may be most uniortunatc.'
Both felt that there was Il fearful force
in this warning. and assembling THEN
terror, strQVe to appear at least 10 accom-
modate themselves to the strange mooC
Of their .tcuible and ncomprehensiblc
companion.
AS we are short Of glasses sale
Ahrendt. pushing one toward the Bishop
and handing the other to the Countess
Il will drink from the bottle, if you vii
pardon me. pledge YOU
With trembling hands, the Baron
guests raised the glasses to their lips
while he took a prolonged draught from
the bottle, which he set down quite emp
ty.
81 can't understand it. Bishop" he sal,
thoughtfullv. as he Knocked oil the hea,
of another bottle, perhaps you can eX
plain it; | cant understand why hav
grown all at once so light-hearted anc
well-disposed to my fellow-men. Yester
day had quite made up my mind t
hang you up in Sight of the forces of you
brother Bishop, as soon as they came il
sight, because of your pleasant assurance
is to my own fate. | had even given Iii
rections for that purpose. Nay, do no
start-they have been countermanded.
had also resolved to take the life Of COun
Maximilian, whom hated more than an
living man, and to complete the scheme
OF my revenge by marrying his widow er
| he was cold in his grave. All these thing
have now lost their relish; revenge seem
no longer sweet. have no ill-will evel
to those greasy burghers below there
whose musical voices you may hear yell
ing for nv blood An hour ago. in orcle
to disappoint them, had resolved to Sc
all the wine in my cellars abroach, so q
not to leave a drop for the thirsty dog
when they force the gates. But l hav
changed my mind; and the idea of tn
nice time they will have presently wit
my Rudesheimer is. find, rather plea.
ant to me than otherwise, or. at least,
added the Baron. after q moments hes