Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-05-09
Au 0rigiual grize Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE FATEOF MILDRED WEIR
BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
"What fortune did my heart foretell?
What shook my spirit as woke,
Like the vibration of bell
Of which had not heard the stroke!
Was it some happy vision shut
From memory by the suns fresh ray?
Was it the linnets song; or but
A natural gratitude for day?"
ANGEL IN THE House.
1t was bright and beautiful October morn
ing on which our party set out on the long
talked-of excursion to Schwaneck. Count
Hugo was of course one of the number; so in
high glee, with two well-packed hampers in a
hired faere, under charge Of the factotum
Lawrence, and two donkeys as dern'er re-
sort in case of fatigue, they started, after
an early breakfast, followed by the good wish
es of the fat landlady, and the longing, ling
ering looks of little Hans and his brother re-
terkin.
Passing through the Sendlinger gate, they
found themselves out on the grand old plain
upon which Munich is built-set like glow
ing island of architecture within the bosom OF
an emerald sea. On one side it is bounded
by the far.away Alpine chain. The blue
peaks glittered in the sunlight, and only a
white patch here and there led the imagina-
ton to picture the untrcdden heights Of eter-
nal snow. 1t was familiar sight to Jack
and his contrsre Altenberg; but to the others
it was so new and strange that they stopped
involuntarily and looked around.
Behind them lay the towers and palaces OF
the Art-city, spread out like living picture.
The facre passed on; the donkeys, with the
CAV saddle.cloths and fantastically-accoutred
postillion, trotted by; and still Mildred and
Kate stood silently looking back.
"It very beautiful, Mesdemoiselle," Count
Hugo began very politely, "but if you will
allow me to suggest that the distance to
Schwaneck is by no means inconsiderable,
and -"
"Let US 90 on now, Kate" Mildred said !;
and taking her aunts arm, they walked stead
lily forward for some time, till entering thick
wood, they sat down to rest few minutes
Clematis hung in rich festoons from the
branches of the trees, generally birch and
popular here and there barberry bush
glowed, its yellow leaves yet unshed, and the
slender branches of wild.cherry swayed in the
wind its brilliant foliage of purple and scarlet.
Long, quivering shadows fell across the wood
land pathways; the morning breeze rushed
ioyously by. A peasant girl passed on her
way to some tste, dressed in the national Co.'S
tune of blue woolen petticoat, bright blue
stockings, black boddice, pink sleeves tucked
up above the elbow and showing piece of
scarlet lining, orange handkerchief, and a
little silver Riegel Haube or Munich cap CO.
quettishly set above her long thick braids of
fair hair. She courtesied and quickly passed
Miss Lyle looked after her wistfully.
ut makes one wish that one had been
brought up to walk six miles an hour" she
said, as the bright bit of color faded in the
distance
"That is gentle hint. Aunt Agatha can't
bear to acknowledge how tired she is Kate
said, in stage-whisper to Colonel Meredith,
who was leaning thoughtfully against tree.
He started and called
"Here, Lawrence! Tell that driver to stop
till we come up"
Then turning to Miss Lyle and Mrs. Weir,
he urged them both to take refugein the facre,
for they were yeta mile distant from schwan-
eek, and neither of the ladies were accus-
toned to such walks. They were easily per-
suaded, and the Colonel joined them. The
young people then pursued their way vigor-
ously, and stopped no more till the tiny castle
came in sight, single tower rising from
steep headland, at the foot of which the Isar
wound in bold sweep between ita precipitous
banks. On one side, the brentwood extend
ed to the little moat on the other, the plain
rolled far away in undulating waves OF ver-
dure.
"Oh! what poor castle! p Henriette ex-
claimed in despairing voice. ut isn't any
taller than farm house, and not half so COM
Portable"
Everybody laughed at this practical re-
mark.
"Why, puss," Jack said consolingly, "cas-
ties we're not built for comfort, and scarcely
for ornament"
"And then such fine name for such a
paltry affair."" she continued, refusing to be
comforted. "Schwaneck Castle, indeed"
By this time they were within the small
courtyard of the castle, waiting for admis-
sion. Count Hugo quickly discovered that
something was going wrong with Henriette,
and was endeavoring, with his customary good
nature, to restore her equanimity.
"Chsre madensoiselle," he said, resorting as
usual to French when English failed him. 81
do assure you the ascent to the summit of this
byiou chateau is not so formidable. Yet If
you are fatigued will remain here with you
until Madame and Monsieur le Colonel ar
rive. Then you will have recovered, trust,
and we can mount to the banqueting-hall."
Eta pouted in indignant scorn.
81 don't care about mounting at all, )" she
said, settling down upon queer little stone
cistern, something between tub and medi'
ayal fountain, carved with distorted swan.
heads. "Ishall stay here till the facre arrives,
and then I can get in among the cushions and
go to Sleep"
Count Hugo was amazed at her insensi'
bility.
"Behold these ancestral towers" he began
waving his hand toward the ludicrous little
turretted heap of rough stones. "Here the
Teutonic Knights may have assembled to