Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-31


but nOHheTc Was any trace of q hidden door. l
took down he picture, but was rewarded with
u thing bat COhwebs. Then / examined the
roof OF the castle, but found only an immense
qua nifty Of seed corn spread out directly over
ny room. Neither could discover any door
leading to the part OF the castle which she oC-
cupied and her windows were doubIv secured
with iron grstings. What did tlis strange
creature eat and drink? Is she really spirit
that exists without food or raiment2
questioned ny servants, except the porter,
who j knew before hand would only answer,
"a master Is master even IN HE'LL whereas /
was rot master in ny own house. The ste ward
knew nothing of the secret, but he aided me in
ny researches, and was as much ast0nished as
myself at what I related. The cOachman
prayed would allow masses to be said for the
TepOse Of her soul.
NV valet, Louis, said Il was wonderfully
beautiful enchanted girl, dressed n gold aud
silver, who drank only dew. and lived on tho
nectar Of 1Owers, like butterfly. At her will
she can change into air and pass inyisIbly
through the doors. when it should come VITA
ter / must notice the fTOst-PictuTes on my win
dOws. Ii / should find a round, melted SPOT
among the flowers, that would be the polnt
through which she had vanished. he had. al
least, TO5tiCal idea Of the matter. Not 20 the
Little gnOme Ike gameksepeT, who declared Il
to be 10 good spirit. At night she changed into
were wolf and a'e little children. lie claimed
70 have met her often in the forest, and tried 20
ssSOt Der, but she seemed bul. t-p-OOf.
In vain tried feigBing sleep. she seemed 70
UNDERSTAND my stTaJagem, and could even near
her laughing, someW here near me, sure, bat
where?
pictured her tall and graceful. with blonde
hair reaching 10 the floor and gitteTipg like
gold in the sunshine, complexion transparent,
long black eyelsshes, ard melancholy, las.rJus
sapphire eyes, AID the delicate lips marked with
faint line OF pink.
My days were spent in the care of my estate,
but they were filed with impotence for the re-
turn OF evening and my fair enchantress.
At last dreamed OF sitting with her under
the shade of a pOmegranate tree, while the sun
n in he laE ne "a rot ne
ton upon her angelic face. In my dream gave
her one or the apples, which she pronounced
sOuT. / then took one myself, and putting il
between my lips, told her It was sweet, and that
she must take bite Of it, Oh, the absurd
ideas We have in dreams! She leaned over,
smiling. looked at me with her glorious blue
eyes, and came nearer and nearer to take the
red kernel. Then suddenly she passiOnately
pressed her lips to mine, not like a spirit or
dream-picture, but a. a real human being. Be-
side myself with unspeakable rapture, quickly
threw both arms around her-and al the instant
a sharp Outcry awoke me.
No, all that could not be merely dream. II
was human kiss, real embrace, a living out
cry. And yet there was no one in the room!
thought came into my head. sprang up
ana rushedtO the chimney. Then was ashamed
TO have imagined that my fairy could have come
through the fire. And to render the idea Mt
teTly absurd, the CRATE was still full of glowing
ciDders, and ii was, besides, shut in with iron
bars.
My heart wqs still beating from the embrace,
and ny lips burning from the kiss.
As l relghted my lamp, and feveTishly be-
gan to pace up and down the room, a strange
dered slipper, so fine and delicate that it mlght
well have been worn 10y no earthly foot. At
had sat by me, and fed in haste, losing the
slipper. which she had no time to pick up. |
dashed a pitcher OF cold water ever nv head in
order to make assurance dOubly sure, and then
l locked this wonderful little slipper in a
drawer, still feeling that il would nOt be there
in the morning, Tor men often dream that thew
have found treasures OF gold, and have locked
Il re al iron chest, TO fEd, on awakening, that
1t was only tautaliZing dream.
Then j went 10 bed again and slept later than
my custom.
As soon as was fairly awake in the morn
ing, pulled out the drawer OF my writing desk,
in order 10 assure myself that the last nights
experience WAS either a TeaHty or a dream.
The slipper still lay there Just the same, OF
white lace and red ribbons, and a Julian dover
and butterfly in the finest embroidery.
From this time on II seemed impossible for me
10 stay IN the house. Day and night with every
thought Of intent on solving riddle to which
there seemed 10 key, 1 should soon be as crazy
rs the rest Of the house hold had ever been. No.
there must lie an era OF II! Idealistic dreams
are very beautiful, but they did not suit my
constitution. 1 resolved TO Quit the castle ana
retarH 70 Pestb, and either rent the estate or
leave il II The hands OF the steward. Accord
lngly called the servants together and told
them ny plan. For year after nv departure
would continue their wages in addition 10 the
allowance made them by the will OF the Count.
vi !
WIS getting into that state OF mind In which I
did not wish to see any face about me. All
departed except the foolish door keeper OF
course he was going 70 tell me that "a master
is master even IN heU.' 70 ny great surpriss
the maU put OF "a military manner, apprOa he'd
ne, kissed ny aud, and began 10 speak in IN
entirely changed and uUaCcustJmed voice.
why viii you leave this place? Does the
poor Sll4 aLLCy yOu3'
1 Was a-tOIisttd beyond measure. The maa.
then, v not mad,
at seems 10 me that great change has come
ever yCu," 1 returned.
Yes sir. / wish TO tell ven everything, and
you VIII then understand much thai ny to tuis
ume must have seemed strange an1 then, /
think, you will not leave the castle"
His manner, language, aud expression were
such that invoiuntaTlly iuyited him - SIT
down, which he did. l was now convinced that
he knew the secrets Of the castle, and anXiously
awaited his developments.
1.-THE deceased Count, - lie said, chad an I'M
fortunate secret alliance. Wishing to make
TeTaration to his child, who was motherIess
from her birth, he brought her here in order TO
educate and lawfully adopt her. Bat he was
lot permitted to make full Iep8ratiOn on earth.
The girl grew very beautiful, but never learned
20 speak. She is not deaf and dumb, for she
sings aud notices the slightest sound. But she
never speaks a word; she only sings. Like
forest bird, she has different tones, with which
she makes known her pleasures or griefs to
those who understand her speech. The poor
Count and learned this music language, and
unCeTstana her. was the Counts only CONT
daut. He once said to me: IF 1 should die,
leaving testimony that this child was mine
what would happen to her? People would Ger
tainly consider her crazy, which che is not. She
has understanding, good heart, natural
affection, and comprehends human thou ght.
Sui they would put her in some insane asylum,
and SO make her really idlOtic. How shall 1
prevent tbis2" Then the Count had the strange
thought TO make an asylum out of Lis own cas-
tie tor the sake OF the child. From far and
near in the vicinity he brought together the viii
iage Ounces, and the steward lie brought dj-
Tecuy from an insane asylum. 1 was the only
one o: al who was in possession Of my tva
senses, but l pretended the worst madness OF
all 30 th8tthe affair should become notorious.
Then tie Count gave himself Up to the care Of
the uniOrtuBates with ceaseless patience, and
gradually made dOcile, quiet human beings OF
The IL, TIL az last he had 70 servants that lie
had not partially cured from some mental dis.
ease. His object in doing this, and leaving
them home here for life, was TO prevent his
heirs from either living in or selling the castle
Tor he thought no one would buy an estate I'M
der such conditions. ! confess, sir, that when
you first came counted on your not remaining
more than two months in the castle. Ii /, built
with secret passages between al the rooms. 1
myself 90 not know how they are arranged.
Viola alone possesses the secret"
Viola! The name startled NE. And vet L
would well salt nay fancy picture.
"In tbs way Viola comes down to the hall