Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-01-01

Scarcely had the gathering hoofs OF Con
rad Schimmelman's rapidly ridden steed died
away before another visitor entered the lofty
hall Of the castle.
"Ah! how fare you, sweet Kathitz !!
Your note was received twenty minutes ago
and you know my fathers castle lies FIVE
miles from here. Say, fair one, what would
you have of him who is yours, body and
soul 2"
s'You have done well, Uhlric. But lis
ten. You desire the hand of---Kathlitz Of
Kronarten p
"Beyond even the eternal rest of my soul
fair Kathlitz p
Speak not thus, Uhlric. am but NOR
tai, and---"
'Nay, it matters not for that, dear one
But tell me what service you would have me
perform p
II will, Uhlric; and string your nerves
high. | ask no boyish feat at your hand
1 ask that which. willseall forth the stefnest
energies of strong man. Yet on its faith
full performance hang the hand and heart of
Kathlitz Of Kronarten." ser.,.-a
II heed you Kathlitz Say on"
"Aye, my brave Uhlric, listen. IT'S said
the ghost Of Sir Albert walks again in the
Back Chapel, by the aturret."'
She scanned his face eagerly but there
was no starting, no blencbing a o.
"And Kathlitz,n 5dss sae al
Il would have you determine for your
self md myself. unaided and alone, the truth
Or falsity Of this report. would have you
this night enter the chapel, by the western
portal, as the castle clock strikes two. Re
membcr---and oh forget it not. that on
your courage, fortitude,. and fidelity to your
self and to me. hangs the happiness of Uhlric
Stauber and Kathlitz of Kronarten Adieu
Uhlric-- -nly Uhlric, adicu | see by your
face that You accept the offer and conditions.
And remember well. in case Of failure, that
hand can never be yours which belongs to
to the heiress of Kronartcn' S Castle. "
x ~ X 4 X
The hour of midnight, struck by the SON
orous clock, high on the castle tower. doomed
on the thick air. At that moment, lantern
in hand, man entered the gloomy, solemn,
precincts of the haunted chapel AS his dis
torted shadow fell upon the stone floor of the
empty, echoing, high-groined apartment,
the man started. his frame shook; he hest
tated, and glanced quickly around him. At
that moment a pale, spectral light suddenly
glmmered over the high, antique altar, and
snow-whitc figure, with measured, noise
less tread, decended to the knave The man
with the lantern started back, He retreated
hastily toward the door, As he did so, the
white figure dashed wildly at him. With a
loud cry Of terror, the man dashed his Ian
tern to the floor and darted out into the
court. In another moment, the rapid clat
ter of Horses feet told that Conrad Schim-
melman had Acd---had abandoned forever
his professions to the hand of the heiress OF
Kronarten,
The spectral light faded from the altar,
and the haunted chapel again reposea in SOL
itude. Swiftly sped the fleeing hours. One
o'clock sounded on the still light and then two
changed harshly in the gloom Ere its rev.
erberatons had ceased, a tall form, lantern
in hand, entered the western portal of the
chapel, and disappeared within these solemn
sounding precincts. The man walked with
a buoyant fearless stride, up the middle aisle.
Again the pale, phosphorescont light lit up
with its ghostly lustre the ancient, heavily
carved altar, and the white figure walked a
gain slowly down into the body Of the chap
Ell. But the man continued to advance. -
The sheeted figure solemnly waved its arms
and then rushed toward the intruder
"Hold, I say!'' shouted the young man.
"Hold, or advance at your peril BE you
man or devil, I'll defend myself!
And drawing his sword, he threw himself
into an attitude of defence. The figure hal
ted 1.
"Tell me, bold adventurer," it said, in
hollow, sepulchral tones, ''tell me [ implore
you, what brings you hither, at this dead
hour, given to bats and bogles p
II come, mysterious questioncr, at the
bidding Of one whose will is my law -
! is it maiden p queried tile figure, in
the same tones. XII. .,4..t ILL.,
cit is" t.e..,.... ..,......s -.!s
''And do you love that maiden p a.
"More than my own soul p III
Her name p 4.s.,g...... -E:
"Kathlitz, the heiress of Kronarten. f.
/ With a wild cry Of delight, the yelled fig
urc dashed its ehostly apparel to the chapel
pavement, and springing forward, flung its
arms around the neck of the hold adventure
err. ....r4 lfs
sob, Uhlric, my own Uhlric, you have
conquered~ T II Isl
And Uhlric Stauber pressed to his glad,
exultant bosom the fainting form of Kathlitz
of Kronarten. ~
sd - Us;
r. Definitions ofBible Terms. "''