Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-08-06
THE RIVAL WARRIORS
A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.

Oraf Heinrich looked on ; he had watch
ed his daughters face, and he read all that
was written in the the innocent eyes which
now turned to his. He rose, and placing
her hand in that of Walter, said:
I ratify, before all present, my daugh-
ter's choice, and I proclaim Ritter Y.
Merkenstein her afianced husband.
Beside himself, first with apprehension
and then with joy, Walter had entirely
forgotten to deliver Saladians's casket, and
it was only when Graf Heinrich began to
compliment him on the success of his arms
in the holy cause, for which he had so
bravely fought and suffered, that he recall
ed the duty he had neglected. He beg
ged Hulda's forgiveness for the oversight,
and laying the precious casket before her,
he related the details of his captivity, and
the singular manner in which it had been
brought to an end.
Hulda opened the seal, and raising the
lid Of the perfumed box, perceived let
ter; but she scarcely read the words it
contained when she sank, trembling,
exclaiming
"Walter, I comet be your bride an
other lives who has stronger claims upon
me than even you! Yes" she continued,
''the most undeniable claims for he has
not only fulfilled the stipulated conditions
il the most perfect way, but has sent me
the Gift [ most desired, as sacrifice which
none can appreciate SO we'll as yourself
Read, dear father, the words which Adolph
addressed to me-
Heinrich took the letter and read as fol-
lows: THE most welcome gift woman
can receive is the hand Of him she loves
I send your lover to you herewith, and
that hand will present you, in this box,
with a gift as useful in itself as the bearer
will be agreeable to you In it you will
find the seed of a plant as yet unknown in
Europe ; but if you succeed in rearing it,
your fatherland will owe to you an article
of commerce as valuable for its rich dye as
for the medicinal properties that belong to
it you will cultivate it in the gardens of
the Castle of Liebach, which, with all its
domains, I make over to Walter Y. Mer-
kenstein. that he NAV have possessions to
offer you equal to your own. He will
find your dear name carved on every tree
within my territory, ard there will the
ransomed slave of Saladin learn to under
stand the heart of the friend who e1chang
ed his own liberty for his"
All present were deeply moved as the
unheard-of generosity Of Adolph was thus
revealed, and Walter. overcome by con-
ficting emotions, exclaimed: ''Hulda is
right. Her hand does not belong to me-
I should at this hour be groaning in alien
bonds but for the magnanimous friendship
of the noblcst of men. Base, indeed,
should be, and unworthy of such friend
if did not recognize it to be my para
mount duty to return to Syria, and, by re-
suming my chains, restore to him that lib
erty he so readily sacrificed to me-"
Graf Heinrich embraced the youth with
tears, and approved of his resolution. He
placed in his hands purse of two hum
dred golden forms, with which to pay the
ransom of Adolph, to whom Hulda sent a
written message in these significant
words:
Your gifts combine all the required
conditions my hand awaits you"
Walter was gone. The wall of Rauhen-
stein repeated no echoes but those OF Hull
das soft sigh, and the old knight unused
sadly on his daughters fate, Hulda's
cheek grew paler day by day, and her eyes
looked anxious from her turret window
as if her thoughts were travelling in the
direction of those who were risking their
| lives for her.
Graf Heinrich's concern augmented the
sadness of his child, and he felt that some
steps must be taken, though he knew not
what. It was amid these conflicting