The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-08-02
Young Folks.
Tho Fairy OF the Lake.
(CONCLUDEDl.

y w
dashed down the mountain side, and
was only brought to bay by the bank of
the Enchanted Lake. A bullet from
Fritz's rifle there ended his career.
Tired with the long chase, the hunts
man heedlessly dipped his neck and
shoulders into the cool waters to refresh
himself, when, with joyous laugh,
Aquarella suddenly sprung to the sur
face, and entwining her arms around
him, drew him down to her coral bow
ers. /
When Fritz did not return in the
evening, his wife and parents grew very
uneasy, and set forth in different direc.
tions to hunt for him. His father, with
a gloomy foreboding, hastened to the
water side, when the dead roe, the rifle,
the vest and cap of his son, soon told
him what hadhappened. He flung him
self on the ground in an agony of grief,
until, exhausted by his sighs and lamen.
tations, he sunk into deep slumber.
Then he dreamed that he saw steep
mountain, the sides covered with crags
and rocks, and thorns and brambles.
He clambered up with painful labor
but when he reached the summit, found
a beautiful scene, a howery meadow
spread all around, watered by bright
and musical brook. In the centre bloom
ed a clump of blossom. covered trees,
where thousand birds warbled their
delicious airs u; and, sheltered by this
grove, stood little hut, garlanded to
the very roof in woodbine, jasmine and
roses.
Rudolph now awoke. He took the
dream to be the inspiration ofsome good
spirit, and resolved to act upon 1t. He
soon found the mountain, and climbing
it, gained the howery meadow, the
grove, the little cottage. A mild.eyed
old dame stood at the door, and receiv-
ed him with kindly welcome. "You
have met with some misfortune said
she. "Dost thou think that 1 can help
thee, that thou has sought me in my
lonely hut ?"
III would it were within thy power,
dame," said the miller, and he then
told her the story of his sorrows. When
he had ended, the dame bade him re-
turn to his home, and send his daught.
er Oriana to her mountain cottage. "a
woman's love-" she said, sis greater
than a mans love-"
So Rudolph returned to his home,
where he found Oriana and his wife in
tumult of distress. AS soon as he had
told them his adventures Oriana set
forth, and, though the way was long and
the road painful, she never paused or
faltered till she reached the mountain
cot. The old dame welcomed her with
kiss. ~ know thy errand, and be.
cause, like true woman, thou art will.
ing to brave all things to regain thy
lost love, I will help thee in thy
quest. Take this golden comb tarry
awhile, for loving hearts must learn to
wait, until the full moon has risen.
Then haste thee to the shore of the lake
where the lilies grow, and sitting by
the waters edge, comb thy long brown
hair with the golden comb. When thou
hast done 80, lay 1t down on the bank,
and thou shalt see what will come to
pass"
Oriana fastened home. Weary ere
the hours for her and her parents until
the full moon rose. AS soon as its orb
was glassed in the lake she made her
way to the water-side, and bending over
the lilies, combed her long brown hair
with the golden comb, then laid the
comb upon the bank. Immediately a
rushing noise assembled from the depth
Of the lake; wave broke on the shore,
and as 1t receded bore away the comb.
The cleaning surface of the water part.
ed and the head of the huntsman rose
above 1t. He spoke not but cast upon
his wife look of mingled love and sor.
row. A voice cried mot yet" and a
second wave rolling up, Fritz disap.
peared and the lake lay still as q sea of
glass.
With aching heart OIiana returned
home and told her parents, and with
them bewailed her ill. fortune; but her
devotion was not easily baffled. After
nights rest she started again to the old
DANES mountain hut and though her
limbs ached and her feet bled, she never
paused till she gained it. A kind well
come, as before awaited her, and the
old dame pressed upon her wine and
food. Then, when she was refreshed,
she told her disappointment. $50 noble
love as thine" said the crone, "will
surely win success. Tarry thou until
the full moon returns, for loving hearts
must learn to wait. Then haste thee to
the shore of the lake, and play thou
upon this charmed lutte. When thou
hast done, lay the lutte upon the bank,
and let us hope that Faith and Patience
will bring joy to the loving heart"
Oh, dull were the days and drear the
nights, until the full moon returned.
Then did Oriana hasten to the lake,
and sitting on its edge among the lilies,
she tuned her lutte, and sang this little
song:
"oh. fairy. happy should be.
Nthou wouldst give my love TO me:
Treasures enow are In thy bowers
Rose buds and amaranthine flowers,
And gems that glow with light divine,
And wondrous things that charm and shine /;
30 thou cahst spare my love to me-"
When she had made an end of her
mournful song and laid her lutte by the
waters edge, rushing noise came from
the bosom of the lake. The waves part
ed, hand was put forth, which clasp.
cd the lutte and drew music from its
strings, as it sunk below the surface.
Then came a low, soft wind from the
mountains, and gliding DER the waters,
impelled before it boat of luminous
pearl, which drew nearer and nearer to
the bank, and at last ran aground. From
its PROV leaped the huntsman, blithe
and well, and as soon as his feet touch.
ed the shore the wind died away, and
the nearly bark disappeared, In n mo.