The mountain Democrat., 1865-01-14

OF whose success he could hardly doubt.
He had found on mature deiberation, that
to deprive Hildegarde of life would be but
pnltry vengeance after all. She was
holy and brave hearted enough to face
death without finching but, next to sin,
she dreaded shame. Disgrace would sting
her to the quick, and make that proud
woman's life one endless martyrdom. II
shall yet see her." said Taland to himself
II shall yet see her quail before the fury
of that great kulking fellow she preferred
to me. She shall writhe like trampled
worm, her proud head groveling in the
dust. Mayhap she will cling round my
knees, and pray me to speak one word to
save her, and | shall spurn her as she
spurned me she will be dragged off by
brutal soldiery, and hooted by the rabble
in the streets. Her sons shall learn to
curse her, her daughters to blush at her
name, from town to town my vengeance
shall pursue her, she shall find no place
to rest her head; shame, want and woe
will drag her to the grave, and when |
hear that she lies dying in some wretched
hut, | will go to her, my eyes shall feast
on her death throes, and my hated face
sh"ll come between her and her God.
Instead Hf prayers she will die with curseS
Of me on her lips, and will laugh to see
that beauty, which hcfoolcd me, gone from
the outcast who will die gsunt and ghastiy
worn to skin and bone" Aad Master
'Taland would chuckle to himself over the
visions he coniured up.
Before he had been many days in
durance, great shouting and cheering in
the street made him rush to the window,
cursing the high courtyard walls. Sud
denly the great gates Of the castle were
swung back, and in burst the mob, press.
ing close round horSeman, whose steed
Tas bloody and necked with foam. lie
waived sealed packet, and shouted,
"G!oriOuS news" A tall lady appeared
at window, and hcckoued him with her
hand. lie dug the rowels into his charger $
heaving iianks, dashed through the crowd,
flung the rrinS to tine nearest man, and
bounding past guard and usher, soon knclt
mt the lady S feet and gave her the pre-
cious scroll. Long before a scribe had
been fetched to dccipher it, lIildcgardc
learned from the soldier that the SaXons
were vanquishcd, that many thousands
had embraced the Christian faith, and
better than all, that her husband was un.
harmed in life or limb, and returning as
fast as he could lead his host.
Words cannot tell the true wife's Joy.
She dismissed and rewarded the soldier,
and made the learned man read the EN-.
peror's letter again and again, till she
knew every loving line; and, childlikc in
her joy, she pressed it to her lips and
breast, ki sing mark and seal, and thank
ing God from the bottom of her heart
She was too thoroughly happy to beal
that aught should mar the delight Of he,
meeting with her husband, she felt a
though it would be sin to damp bi
double bliss Of triumph and return witt
the news of his half brothers foul Treason
and that moment she resolved to free Ia
land. Too pure herself to know that
dark ingratitude is own brother to guilt,
She never thought that he would turn on
heI; besides, she deemed that even had
he no gratitude, regard for his own head
would make him dumb. In an evil hour
She gave the traitor his freedom.
Charlemagne returned, and for one
short week Hildegarde was entirely happy
too happy, perhaps Before the end Of
another week he one day strobe into her
chamber with clouded brow, and half re-
colcd as she Sprang to his arms, but he
checked himself, and caught her face in
his two hands, as one would chid'S and
looked hard into her eyes The scowl
passed from his face as he gazed into those
clear, frank eyes; he kissed her passion.
ately, turned on his heel, and left her
without word. That morning Taland
bad begun his task, but the pure SOU
bcaming ont of the true wiGc's face had
bani>hed his hints from tie Emperor
mind.
Taland now saw that he must give mp
yer rgcance or play desperate game, and
he grew holder; yet hr was very wary
He said nothing tangible, yet he dropped
words that ranked for whole DAYS in his
brothers heart. Charlcmagne would not
stand it any longer, and bluntly bade him
speak out
Taland began with well feigncd reluc-
lance. First came speeches about what
was due to his royal brothers honor, and
how hard was the duty he, Taland, as his
liegeman, had to do. With sighs, with
almost tears, the false knave cunningly
umloldcd his tale, half limiting then affirm
ing, his chain Of lies, of IIildcgarlc and
handsome young lord. He saw his dupe
vince, and thus encouraged, dwelt with
ticndish delight on stolen interviews and
sweet love passages. lie said he had
once come on the lovers who fled at his
approach. Next morning he had found
himself close prisoner: did not the
whole court know of his captivity Then
the meaning Of vague hints and jess he
had heard banded about relating to Ia.
land and certain tower flashed across
Charlemagnc and he believed all. His
rage broke forth in frenzied paroxySms,
till LELAND actually covered before him.
Suddenly the Emperor stopped his frantic
mutterings, and buried his head in his
hands. TalAnd could see his huge frame
quivcring, and the great sinews in his
brawny hands stand out like straining
cords. The Emperor looked up, and
though the breath came kissing through
his set teeth, his face was calm, but that
rigid vivid calmness was horrible to see.
"Call her." no said.
Taland Stlrted at that awful sound,
though it was scarce spoken above whis-
per. lie bade guard go fetch the Queen,
and came and cant against the Emperor's
chair, though Charlemagne hardly SEEM
ed aware of his preSence.
Hildegarde was playing with her chill
dren when the messenger came. She
went joyfully, and the little toddling
things came racing after her, hanging on
to her skirts. Laughing, she disengaged
herself and leaving them with the guards
in the outer hall. passed in. TIE smile
was still on her lips as she came toward