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

| by CnaIlcc Illet tuc HanuoolHo fouuS ioiio".
His quiet grace, his easy, unassuming man
ner, his pround glance, his elegant person,
his knightly department. had told on the
heart, and had ensnarcd the warm, loving
soul of Kathlitz of Kronarten.
Again, chance had brought them together.
This time their hands met in mutual pres
sure--their eyes glanced back tender conf
ding fires, a warm blush dcepcned the cheek
of either-and, Joy to each !! for each was
confident of the love of the other. After
that young Uhlric was frequent visitor at
the castle, and in a short while he had
poured forth his heart and soul, in loves
own ardent phrases The tears that flowed
ouickly-the crimson blush--the soft, sweet
pressure of the hand-the love-light that
burned in the -bedimmed orb, all tod
Young Uhlric that the maiden's heart was
his. But in his moment of triumph-cven
while the ely of exultation was upon his lips
his high bounding heart was turned, as it
were, into ice, and its struggling pulses
scarcely labored through the wonted chan
nels. as she told him Of her plighted love,
her long ago created bondage-her unwill-
ing. and yet inaexible subservience to
that bondage. In vain the young man
had plead-In vain, with ardent, passionate
burning words. he had reasoned--in vain he
iuyeighed against her; the girl, mindful of
her fathers memory, was unylelding, She
lavished without stint her virgin love on the
idol of her affections, but in her resolve she
was mistaken It was worse than criminal
in her ewes, to think, for moment. OF not
complying with her fathers command, how
ever distasteful it might have been in its full
flment. She confessed her unchanging love
for the almost crazed Uhlric, but in bitter
words rciterates her determination. And
when the impasssioned lover, almost beside
himself with anger. disappointment, and
chagrin. limited at Kidding himself, and her,
and the world of this obstacle to his own
happiness, dark frown gathered over the
Young face Of Kathlitz Of Kronarten, and in
words the young man never forgot, she ex-
pressed her horror, her repugnance at his
suggestion. But the love lustre soon burn
ed again in those mellow eyes, as Kathlitz
witnessed the downcast, despairing of Uhlric
Stauber :,
The wind still whistled around the corners
and utting buttrasses of Kronarten Cas-
tie, and still the heiress and her adopted
aunt sat by the glowing fire that rolled and
roared up huge gorge of the ample chimney
fue.
"Well, well, aunt, [ cannot live this
way; nor can I think my darling father
ever intended that I should thus weary out
my young life in fretting and pining for
freedom--escape from that hateful bond
age!"
"Your father, my child, never dreamed
that Schimmelman's heir would grow to
manhood and be other than prototype Of
his noble, chivalric father. No, no, my child
your fathers heart was as warm as a sun
beam, and he would never willingly have be-
queathed unto his own blood misery and
gloom And-and- yct-yet-the word of
an Eckstein must be inyiolab!e-and-at
whatever cost :"
The young girl almost groaned, but she
bowed her fair ringlets, and said not a word
A pause ensusd Suddenly the girl raised
her head bright. anxious look Of inquiry
beaming over her features.
"Aunt" she asked quickly, "was it not
the custom, in olden time, to exact OF your
lovers the performance Of certain hazardous
feats, in failing to accomplish which it was
optional with the fair one to discard Or not?'
Eyes, my child, it was so, in my early
days, and it is even now observed, strictly,
too, in the Hartz. in case more than one
should be aiming at the maiden's affection.
But, why do you ask, Kathlitz y
CATER while aunt. But--but-was not
this old structure haunted by disaffected spir-
its, years ago :"
eyes, indeed, my child, for 1 have seen
them, myself" and the widow crossed her
self devoutly. ''The littla Back Chapel, by
the eastern turrct, was visited every night
for thirty years by the restless spirit of your
great grand uncle, Albert of Grabstein. He
was accidently thrown from his horse, in
the stagechase and killed For thirty years
his body was lost from sight, and lay at the
bottom of wild chasnl, down which he had
fallen At the end Of this long lapse of
time, the bones of steed and rider were found
by wandering goatherd. The human skele-
ton, by ruby that sparkled On the finger,
was recognized as that Of the long-missing
Albert Knight of Grabstein. The remains
were collected piously together, and deposit
ted, with great pomp, beneath the chapel
floor, and the uneasy shade Of Sir Albert
never appeared again. Peace to his ashes p
and the widow crossed herself once more.
twill do, twill do p said the girl alb
stractedly -' 'and aunt
''What mean you, my child---what mean
youY
1.-THE chapeli Twill do--'twill be my
best"
"Kathlitz, my darling of what arc you
speaking %
"My test, to try my lovers. If Sir AL
bert walks no more, why, we must evoke
some obliging spirit from the shadow world
to take his place-and now, Conrad and
Uhlric, be prepared-be bold-for the bold
est wins the hand of Kathlitz of Kronartcn"
X j: x x
''Ireceived your summons. and am here,
command me, your slave, that [ may show
to you my obedience and fidelity" s
Count Schimmelman. I have sent for
you in a grave matter. I'll be brief. Our
slumbers, for several nights, have been dis
turbed by hideous, unearthly sounds, which
proceeded from the Back Chapel" The
count started. GA ghostly figure, in white
frequents that chapel. In one word, will
you remain there, from the hour of twelve
till two, this night p
The young mans countenance paled--his
knees shook--.hc hesitated Ht
Remember" continued the other, ''as
| II 4
Of this, my request, hangs the hand of Kath-
| LII, &c X nj %