Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-02-07

J
landlord, and it almost appeared he
asked himself the question as much as
he did the soldier.
Precisely the question | asked my
self returned the soldier; 'and since
you have mentioned the expected ar
rival of the young Baron Ravensburg
| think [ have a clue to the whole al:
fair. Some outlaws, having heard of
the Baron's journey, they have formed
a plan to waylay him. These two
men were sent forward as scouts to
apprise the others of the Baron's ap-
proach. Seeing a solitary horseman
approach, they concluded to plunder
a little on their own account. As |
was not molested further on my way
hither, the rendzvous of the band must
be beyond there, consequently the Bar
on will reach this house in safety
Now if you cannot accommodate me
with bed, shall take up my quar-
ters tonight upon this bench, for |
feel it my duty to warn this young
Baron, for | know something of the
family, of the danger which threatens
him.
The landlord gazed curiously at
his unceremoniouS guest. There was
no mistaking the man. Courge and
determination were highly stamped
upon his fine cut features.
You are an oficerY he said, in
quirilgly.
Yes
Captain
Exactly
Disbanded?'
No.
The quiet smile that accompanied
this answer bewildered the landlord.
In fact the Captain was an enigma
that the worthy host Of the 'Travell-
er's Rest found it impossible.to solve.
The appearance of the maid of the
hostelry with a flask of wine and the
refreshments which the Captain had
ordered, interrupted the conversation.
The host whispered to the girl and
then hurried away.
What did he say to you?' asked the
Captain abruptly, fixing Lis keen eyes
upon the girls face.
To wait upon you while he went
up to the monastery answered the
girl unhesitatingly,
The monastery p reiOined the Cap
tain, leisurely inspecting the contents
of the flask of Rhenish, which seemed
to be much to his satisfaction. That
old ruin upon the hill yonder. 1t is
then occupied.
oh, yes; about year ago a party
of wandering monks, whose monastery
had been destroyed by the soldiers of
the league, occupied it and they have
remained there ever since. They call
themselves the Black Brotherhood of
st. Bruno And very pious and self
denying men they are too. They
keep wrapped up in an odor of sancti-
ty all the time. They never hold any
communication with the world with.
out; no stranger is ever admitted be-
meath their walls; and whenever one
of the brotherhood comes out, he al
ways has his black cOwl drawn closely
over his face. Though | have beer
here as long as they have, | have nev
er seen one with his face uncovered.
4 thought you said your uncle wa:
going there ? remarked the Captain
carelesSly slipping his wine.
ooh! he only goes to the porter
wicket: he never goes in. He sup
plies the monks with food.
And how many bottles of this cap
ital wine a month?
4 am sure | don't know how many
but | know that we have more empt,
TASKS at the end of the week than tn
number of travellers could possibl
have drank.
1 thought so. The close neighbol
hoot of these good monks account
for the excellence Of the wine. s.
Bruno, your very good health. D
many travellers pass this way, swee-
i, heart :?
Not many; and what seems to m
very singular continued the Cir
bending toward the Captain, and speal
ing in a low, cautious whisper, mon
that pass this way ever return
Indeed ! What kind Of a road is
: between this hostelry and the ne7
: stopping placer
! Very lonely and desolate.
, Infested by robbers, eh 2
' i believe so. Though my unc
r always assures travellers there is l
Y danger
i who is your uncle-the landlord
f Yes, [ am his niece, Bonita, if y,
V please, sir
!. Whether l please or not. is mo
t. than | can say; but you please n
my pretty Bonita
# He caught her quickly around t
d waist, drew her upon his knee, and i
n printed kiss upon her cherry liz
I The girl freed herself from his embra
r and retreated in confusion, but S
le did not seem very angry at the lib
,e ty the soldier had taken. 1t W
| something to be handsome capts
V. even in those days.
ht The sound approaching wheels n
~ attracted their attention, and a Ii.
ie travelling carriage drawn by t,
a horses and driven by postilIion, a
op accompanied by four outriders, drt
ID up to the hostlery.
ne The attendants opened the carris
ey door, and a young man in the ha
e. some uniform of Pappenheim's d
ed goons jumped lightly out and assis
ed an elegantly attired young lady
lip alight from the carriage. They W
ith the Baron Ravensburg, Colonel in
Ter Imperial service, and his sister