, 1860-05-11

Jorge lay in opposite directions from the castle
and towards the former Fridolin now bent his
steps. Upon his arrival there, he found both
priest and worshippers waiting for the sacristan,
and after some further time spent thus, the page
offered to perform his duties, and the service
proceeded; SO that more than an hour elapsed
after his departure from the castle, before he
finally left the chapel on his way to the forge.
For the first half hour after delivering the "a
tai command to the rage, the duke walked, in a
feverish mood, through the halls and corridors
Of the castle. He could hardly anayze his feel
ings; there was no swerving from the fearful de-
sign which might even now be perfected !; but,
on the other hand, there was little satisfaction
to be gained from the thought Of the fate Of the
page He reflected that he might have acted
hastily; that it would have been FAR more manly
and generous to have confronted his wife with
the charges which had impelled him to the fear
ful deed which he had this day committed. For
the first time, too, the thought that Conrad might
possibly have deceived him flashed upon his
mind, and instantly his thought was busy with
an hundred circumstances which served to eorrob-
orate this startling thought. as $3.50
BUTT is too late now be the lad guilty or
innocent, his doom is pastl" m -gss
The words escaped his lips, as his eyes rested
upon dial In the embrasufe near BY An hOur
had almost elapsed since the departure Of Frido-
lin. Ha 81
"Yet will be sure there may be chance
for the poor boy even yet; 'twould be hard
thing were he TO suffer thus unjustly." And
leaning from the window, he called aloud for
one Of his attendants. The call was answered
by Conrad. rA g
$50 with all speed" Robert exclaimed, "tO
the forge in the wood, and ask the aFmorrrs Il
they have performed my bidding. This first I;
and II they say nay, command them not 10 do Il
certainly, until further orders Begone, Con-
rad !; use all hastc" Hr s ha
0btaininga horse from the stables, the equerry
lost no time in taking the road to the forge.
Robert saw him disappear in the wood, and 10 .
still more anxious frame Of mind, continued his
nervous and hasty walk The moments passed
until another hour had almost elapsed, but still
he received no intelligence from the fDrge At
lcngth, as he gazed for the hnndredth tiune from
the window, his eye was caught by figure
which had just emerged from the forest, and not
only caught, but riyetcd with stare Of painful
in this person he recognized none
other than the pagei
Yes, It was certainly Fridolin; although BY
what miracle he bad been preserved from the
hands Of the armorvrs, Robert could not conjec-
tnre. But certainly, as hU beckoned him whire
he stood. there was feeling Of wondrous relief
at the heart OF the duke. He narro sly watched
the face Of the page, as be came forward and
stood before him I; and to himself be conftsWd
that there was no sign or appearance Of guilt
upon It II Fas the happy, guiieless counteuance
Of an innocent boy, and insensibly the stern heart
Of Robert warmed towards him
"Where hast thou been, Fridolinip he asked.
"To the forge, my lord, as you bade me- =
was the ready reply. s
"7o The .torgeH the wonder-strickcn duke
calculated. "What miracle is this Tell me
what message did Jon bear to the iorgein
That which you gave me- ! asked the ar
morers L they had performed my masters COM
aWonder upon wcndcrsl You delivered
that message, and yet you live to tell il And
what said the forgersr A,l ~.
" They nodded and painted 70 the furnace. as
II they would say yesi and they laughed, too, 50
as to terrify me-
Robert turned thoughifnlly away, and fcr a
his head rested upon his breast, in deep
thought, and then bringing his hand TO his f0re-
head, With startling expression Of wonder he
said;
"But did you not 60 eisewhere before visit
ing the f6rgei" a w
" All, pardon me, my lord, did. Ny Lady
Elmira babe me 80 70 the chapel to pray for Jour
peace and happiness, and thiiher ] went lirstn
And saw you Conrad, the eqaerry, on your
wayT"
aNay, my good lord, not once"
With renewed expressions Of wonder, the
duke took the not less wondering page BY the
hand, and led him into the presence Of his wife
Behold, !" Robert said, laying bis hand iondly
upon the head uf Fridolin, zone who within this
hour has been held back from death by the most
righteous Judgment Of Heaven, which has al
the same time visited bis wicked and yillainous
enemy with most Just retribution l"
Without pausing, the duke continued, rrhears-
ing TO his astonished wife the tale OF Conrad's
dnplcity, and bis own blind ereduliiy. As may
be conjectured, Il needed but little protestation
on the part Of the lady to assure her husband
Of the utter iaisity Of an Of COnrad'srepreseptA
tons, or that the letter, which had ledlto- the
strange events Of the day, was base and total
forgery.
"Nsy-I believe il all. ,Ilbave been strange
lv duned and belooled,r the duke exclaimed.
q And terribly. Ceapfally indeed has the villain
Gus Conrad suffered for his knaveFyl Ne bore
the fatal mosszge 10 the forge accidentally. as II
was, aualfong erc this the flames have devoured
his ndserable bodyl"
,<Such indeed was the fact Arriving FIRST at
the forge, Conrad had ALLEN into the trap pre-.
pared for the page The utteFance Of the fatal
words had been the signal for his destruction; (;
seized in the powerful arms Of the fuFgers, he
had been nercilessly hurried to his meFited
dooml aa s.
But thenceforth, as the legend goes on to
state, Fridolin bore happy existence. From
that day he was considered by the duke and lady
Of Marburg as their own child, and thus be grew
up to manhood. The duke rejoiccd to keep him
near his person, and IN after years was proud to
give him his daughter in marriage; thus prov
Ing, for the. benefit Of all future ages, how sig
naliy the virtnous are sometimes rewarded, and
the wicked punished.
The girls, somebody says think Of Hymen,
and can, help sighing. They sit at the window,
.I ...,. -. Sn.is,.. NJ. rrr.,- M, III IL