Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-22
The Burgomaster's Daughter-A Masonic
Legend.


Legend.
1t wss in the afternoon of blazing
summer day; the little village of Rhense,
on the Rhine, with its ancient trees and
picturesque habitations, lay painting and
parching beneath scorching sun. Not
breath of air was stirring, and the steer
and the steed stood motiouless in the
shallow waters of the village pool. Hans
Gwertler, rich burgomaster, after lend
ing heedful ears to some communication
from one of his associates, stalked
through the binding heat of the meadow,
and leaped the rivulet that bisected it,
with strength and agility which might
put to shame the efforts of many some
twenty years younger. Muttering to
himself several detached sentences, he
continued on his course until he arrived
at an elevated spct, which commanded
view of long, narrow, grass grown
lane, where the woodbine hung in per-
fumed clusters upon the maple and briony.
There he paused, remaining mute and
motioAless for the space of several min
utes, during which time his eyes were
directed toward the lane in question.
Presently change came over his
features, which all at once seemed to
darken with the darkness of curse.
In the distance he deserted his daugh-
ter, who was not alone. She had for her
companion young man of lofty stature,
whose garb at once declared him to belong
to the Order of the Knights Templar.
"I cannot, will not, believe It'll" ex-
claimed Gwertler; "albeit my own eyes
are witness Of the fact. My daughter,
my own child, to give secret meetings to
one of that sccursed order. Il is mon
streus-thankless, shameless girl T.
With these words-his breast torn by
host of conflicting emotions-he has
tened from the spot.
Later in the day Illek, the burgo-
masters daughter, was seated in her own
private bower, in her fathers chateau;
her soft, white arm supported her cheek;
and by that dubious light, half sunshine
and half gloom, it would have been no
difhcult matter to divine her thoughts.
She was thinking of her lover, whom she
had parted with bat few hours pre-
vious.
Her revsrie was suddenly disturbed by
the unlooked-for appearance of her
father. Impetuous and choleric by
nature, Gwertler found it impossible,
under the present circumstances, to
smother his rising wrath, which was but
too plainly depicted on his countenance.
he closed and fastened the narrow
arched door after be had entered the
apartment, and drew over it the gaudy
tapestry. Then be paused, not very we'll
knowing how to open the subject which
lay so near his heart.
His daughter attempted to rise on his
entrance; but upon observing his coun-
tenance, which had grown as dark as
night, she sat down trembling.
alt appears" said the burgomastsr in
a tone of irony, that these afternoon
walks are not without a purpose Illek
Gwertler has a companion occasionally ]
Answer me, girls this not so 2"
Hicks countenance became suddenly
suffused with deep crimson, as she said
in a low tone of voice, You would not
wish me to speak falselyf
Thou hast never yet done so, and il
is too late to begin now" he answered
querulously.
We'll. then, dear father, l win not
deny il. Be not angered with me
"Call me not dearl" exclaimed Overt
Ter in tone of fury. 81 shall never be
dear again, thou wsnton, shameless
thingl This very day / have myself
been witness of thy treachery." :.
Il do not deserve these spithets, aud
cannot, in any way account for this ex'
cess of anger-and unkindness."
=" Who vas be you had for . companion
in the lane Z"
zone who, not many months ago,
saved my life in the forest-hs who res