The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-10

hue, set the lady, her long black veil
and funeral garments forming q
strong contrast to the vivid golden
hue of her hair that, .-ccording to the
custom of the noble German maid
ems, hung unbound far below her
waist The regal brow, the flashing
violet eyes, the mantling color of her
cheek, and the perfect mouth, with
its scornful curve, were as instinct
with pride as the naughty poise of
her head and the impatient tone with
which she received the humble obei-
sance OF her serfs.
"What now, churls?" she said.
"What means this insolent intrusion
upon my privacy? Can ye not even
give me week to lament your
lord?"
"Honored lady," said Rudolph.
with a deep inclination, cit is be-
cause we do lament him SO bitterly
that we are driven into your pro
sence. Duke Volko has made raid
into our Northern lands, and killed
and taken prisoners the men-at-arms
the noble Baron, our lamented lord,
placed there to defend them"
The naughty head raised defantly.
"But that is not the worst" CONT
nued the speaker. Barron Konigs,
hearing the death of rur master, has
camped his robber bands in tho F'ich-
tenbauIu forests, and swears that,
since the harvest has failed in Bava-
ria this summer, Bohemia shall be his
granary."
"And are there not noblo knights
enough in Bohemia to guard their
lands?" cried Cunigunde. ''Nay,
good Rudolph, we will summons our
men-at-arms and our vassals on this
very domain, and let tho proud rob-
ber's head look from my castle wall
on the fields he has threatened.
'Ah, honored lady," said the pea
SAINT, "when stout Baron Carl was
alive, that was fair talk. He said
do this, ye knaves, and had it been
to storm hell itself, there would not
have been q man among his vassals
slow to run at his bidding But our
men have no. leader now, and they
are wild set that need the strong
arm and heavy blow. No woman can
do aught with them
"Thou art insolent, churl," said
the Countess, coloring to the very
roots of her hair. s'Hast thou come
to tell me that Baron Carl's daughter
is no longer the mistress of this do
main?"
"The saints forbid, honored lady;
but we have come to pray You to
grant request our necessity COM
pels.'
"Speak, then, and briefly" said
the Countess, casting herself impa-
tiently back i'll her seat, "for 1 weary
of all this"
"Give us q leader, lady, worthy to
unfold once more the banner of our
lord. Choose for q husband one of
those gallant knights who"
Cunigunde did not allow him to
finish.
"Insolent varlet, she cried, SPRING
ing to her feet, her dark blue eyes
flashing, and her whole form trcm-
bling with rage, 'dost thou dare pro
pose this to me? With the body of
my father still unburied, whilst the
tears of grief are still in my eyes,
dost thou dare ask me to change my
mourning into foasting? Tho funeral
rites to give place to the wedding
train? Out OF my presence, yo un-
grateful knaves, or [ will have We
scourged like hounds!"
And, utterly overcome by the min
gled tide Of grief, anger and wounded
pride, the lady bent her naughty
head, and covering her face with her
hands, gave way to burst of emo
ton.
Rudolph stood dogged and un-
moved, and the dark looks of his
companions showed a sullen resolu-
ton not unmixed with shame, as
their eyes fell on the weeping Count
ess
"You must listen to us, lady" he
said, after pause, "however painful
it is for you to hear, or us to speak.
Throughout your domains there is
rebellion. [ have only gained little
time to make this proposal, and if
you refuse, your vassals VOW to choose
Baron Theodor, your worthy cousin,
for their leader and liege lord"
Cunigunde took her hand from her
eyes and looked up. There was no
mistaking the lowering expression on
those dark faces. Before another
sunset, the castle and possessions of
her ancestors would pass from her
rule, and her crafty and ambitious
cousin, who had long watched and
waited for this hOur would no +riun,