The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-03-20

tie belongs to lis father. 1t Is close to
the town. You must take care of your
heart, Carl Franz has some very beau.
til sisters, I hear. knew them when
they we're little girls, aud was a boy
Of fourteeo. I hear they have grown
to be perfect beauties. When was
mere Two winters ago, they were in
fa''s With their aunt so I did not see
tbem."
% their arrival at Rabensteiu, the
travellers we're shown Into the rooms
prepared for them. Carl had one al
iotted to him close to those Of the two
brothers and Eric had been gossipiog
with him, and had not quite fioished
his toilet, when Ernst came into bis
roou. His face was radiant with some
great joy. He stretched out bis hand
to his brother Eric, and took hold of
bis, which he pressed warmly.
GLOW we'll you LOOK, Eric, this even
ing!' he said. "You are as handsome
as young bridegroom going to see bis
betrothed Or shall we make thi. your
betrethal night ? There are such beau.
tifai young ladies downstairs, you
must choose one. Bat come; l want
to present you to my bride; she Is all
'mpstience to see you"
As the three young men descended
the vide staircase of the cid castle, and
just as they had reached the last step,
Frost said to bis brother, "Eric, why
did you not tell me all about your ride
in the suow-storm p
Eric started. He looked at his broth
er.
"Who told you? Did Carl?"
"Not l." said CARL.
"Ernst how came ysu to know any.
thing about it p
"Come and see'~ho told me-" said
Ernst, smiling, and be laid bis hand on
the door.
Eric's heart beat quickly, bis eyes
became dizzy. Who told Ernst about
he wolves? His bride? How came
she to know7 Who told her? Had
Marie Did she know Marie? Was
Marie there? No; she was at Strah-
len, thirty leagues cf. Then be re-
-menbered her sisters parting words,
"You will see us sooner than Yeu ex-
Yect." A light flashed thraugh his
mind. 1t was she--his brothers bride
whom he rescued from death !! She
was on her way to Rabeasteia when
be had met her. She, Marie, whom
he loved with all the strength of his
soul! He looked arouud he ~ould
have fed. Quick as lightnipg this
roth must have flashed through his
un'na; for almost before Ernst had
dooe speaking, tho door was o,eoed,
aud there, 10 brilliantly-lign.~a room,
stood bis mother; and, beside her,
robed in pure white, the golden curls
talllne round her beautiful face, stood
Marie Marie, his Roman dream.
Marie, his beloved. Marie, his broth.
er's bride!
There we're other persons in the
room. He saw only her. Mechanic
ally, as in dream, he followed his
brother as in dream, be heard the
voices Of those around him a confused
whirllns filled his ears. He saw Merle
advance towards him, again holding
out both her hands, smiling With an
angelic smile. He looked at her. All
present saw his face was Of a deadly
pallor ; then a wild unesrthly CLEAN
shot from his eyes. He advanced to
meet Marie as she approached i; then
turned and fed
All stood amazed. In the first con-
sternation none thought of following
hem and when Ernst and Carl did so,
it Was too late He Vas nowhere to be
found. lie Was gone fed out into
the night.
Soon the woods round Rabenstein
rang with the voices OF men and
hounds. "Eric Eric - was heard
on every side 10 the voices Of his friend
and brother. Ernst and Carl sought
everywhere ; and Schwartz bounded To-
to tho woods, baying loudly. "Heav.
eo b. praised !" said Ernst 'he is on
his track" But hour after hour pass
ed, and neither Schwartz nor Eric re-
appeared.
"Can l have sleigh 2" asked Carl.
Il will 60 to Stettin. I think he will
20 there"
81 will go With you,'' said Ernst.
II think 1t will tie better that you
should stay here and direct the search,
both here and at Krone euthal," answer.
ed Carl. ave had better divide our
exertions. Depend upon me for leav.
ing, on my part, nothicg qpdone. I
will write to you from Stettin, ard tell
| you where I 60 next, it my researches
there are uosuccesstul; and you can
write to me there, aud. let me know
whether you 6od sny traces of him."
So Carl arrived at Stettln, aud went
10 the Geld.nstern, which he had only
left teW hours before.
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.)