The Grange advance., 1874-10-21

The eldest daughters we're sitting at
The head of the coffin, inconsolable for
grief, and the youngest, in childish glee,
was playing with the flowers that
adorned her mothers bier. Wacker-
man bedewed Matilda's face with his
tears, and rent the air with cries of
mourning ',-
Matilda was buried, and joy succeed
ed to sorrow. The castle saw another
bridal-day; but the new bride was
proud and imperious, unlike the gentle
Matilda. The house was soen pcopled
with a new family, and the elder daugh-
ters Of Matilda were sent to convent.
while little Matilda was committed to
nurse in, remote chamber, far away
from the proud mistress Of the castle.
Extravaganza brought Lady Wacker-
man into trouble. She searched
through the drawers for jewelry. and
found Lady Matilda box which con-
tanned the musk-apple, with jewels and
diamonds of immense value. She was
puzzled with the musk-apple, but at
last, thinking it worthless, she threw it
out Of the window. Little Matilda was
in the garden. She made it play.
thing for some days, till, being at the
fountain with the nurse, she cast it by
accident into the water. Immediately
the nymph appeared, caressed Matilda,
and told her to take care Of the musk
apple, for it could grant her three
wishes.
When Matilda returned home she
sewed the musk-apple carefully in her
dress. She often visited the fountain,
and managing to send away her nurse
had meetings with her godmother BY
throwing stone into the water. Ma
tilda grew up fair and beautiful, and,
like her mother, virtuous and gentle.
The nymph seemed to double her affec-
ton for her. One day she told Matilda
that before the reapers handled the
scythe her fathers castle would be laid
waste and desolate. The sign was to
be when the servants went out to draw
water and returned With empty pals.
Matilda was again exhorted to take care
of the musk.apple. She was taught its
mysterious properties, and instructed
in the meaning Of some mystic words.
The omen was seen at tho time of the
wheat-harvest. The servants returned
with empty pitchers, and the nymph in
white sat by the spring with mournful
gestures. None but Matilda knew the
cause and she was forbidden to reveal
it. Wackerman's = plumbers could not
satisfy his wife's extravaganza. When
necessities came hard upon them there
was still left for robbery on the Augs-
burg road the wagons Of Jacob Fugger.
But, tired of enduring their deprida-
+ions, the Swabian mobiles determined
to destroy the castle of Wackerman.
Matilda, BY the help Of the words she
had learned, was unhurt through the
! armed men. She exchanged her dress
with peasant, and, joining caravan,
came to Augsburg, where she sought
employment as servant.
At Augsburg lived Count Conrad, a
German knight Of the Cross, into whose
house Matilda was received IS SER
want. The Count was very handsome
youth, and Matilda having once seen
him, could not Danish his image from
her mind. She was ignorant of the
power that was setting up a dominion
in her breast. She sat in the smoky
kitchen, yet she fancled herself walking
in the woods with Conrad. She saw
gardens and flowers in which she was
taking delight, and everywhere was
Conrad. 1t was long before it occurred
to her that the musk-apple could pro-
cure the fulfillment of three wishes.
On the birth of prince in Augsburg
there was great city banquet. Ma
tilda having arranged her kitchen,
washed her face, and taking out the
musk-apple. wished for a magnificent
dress. It Immediately appeared. She
then, by spell, caused sleep to fall
upon the eyes of all the servants. This
too, was granted, and Matilda was soon
in the dining.room, with all the dignity
Of a goddess. All eyes were charmed
with the sight of her. but chiefly the
knight Conrad. He danced with her,
and the same power which had set up
his throne in Matilda's heart took
possession of Conrad's. Who was
she! The question no one could an
swer, and Conrad made his servants
lie in wait to discover her dwelling.
The waiting was in vain. Matilda's
charm, ''Night behind me, day before
me, SO that nobody can see me-" was
efectual. The knight YVES impatient
for the evening that he might see her
again: She appeared in. richer robes
than before, and Conrad drank deeper
the Intoxicating cup. Under pretense
OF seeking refreshment, he led her to. a
side apartment, and revealed his hopes
and fears. Matilda was satisfied, but
he was /. knight Of Malta, and under
pledge Of celibacy. It happened, how
ever, that since that pledge was made,
his elder brother had died, and by law
he was free. He agreed to marry Ma-
tilda at once, and gave ring IS = token