Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-08-16

danger for the three or four DAYS that
i you will be absent"
"Well, have your promise, aid an.
other one, Ell? On your birthday YOU
go with me to Steinrad as its darling
mistress; is it not so? ?"
And the Lady Hildegard bllshed;
and Graf Max Won Steinard put his
arms about her, and there lips we're
pressed together. So Max departed.
/ Now this happened the very day be-
fore our history opens. And on the
morrow Hildegard donned her riding
attire, and, attended by her maidens
and six men-at-arms, rode gaily for
Schoenberg. The sun shone, the girls
prattled, the sweet brown eyes of
Hildegard noted the scenery, and her
heart remembered Max, and SO they
rode slowly along till the sun began to
decline in the heavens, and to slant his
golden rays through the foliage Of the
wood Then one of the troopers rode
up to Hildegard, and, doffing his banet-
cap, said:
"Would it please you, noble lady, to
prich on little faster? / do not think
we will reach Schoenberg before night
fall"
81 don't think you WILL" cried a
gruff voice from the bush; and then
there was the tramp Of mailed steeds
and the ring of arms, and twenty
troopers headed by Katzenellenbogen
surrounded the party of Hildegard.
Resistance was useless, and the poor
lady found herself by night-fall a pris
oner In one Of the turret-rooms of the
fierce Baron.
And when the moonlight was clear in
the heaven and cleaned upon the
swift Rhine, she, tired with weeping,
sat leaning her head upon her hand by
the window. She was watching the
foam about the rock of the Lorlei
when she saw a light cloud rise up
slowly and hover above it, and tlen
float down the river.
"Poor Lorelei !" she thouht;
doubtless she has suffered much to
have SO sad part to play; and at
least pity her."
AS she said this, she felt something
brush the back of her hand, and dDp
of water fell upon it. She started, lut
only saw the light cloud float slowly
back up the Rhine. 81
"The dews are beginning to fall"
she said, and was turning from he
window, when she heard splash in he
moat, and looking down made out he
figure of a man swimming. He SON
crossed the meat, and in little while
MS head appeared above the wsll,
which be had climbed by the aid Of
long pole-axe. Dropping inside tie
courtyard, he came directly under Ter
window, and said in a low voice:
Hist Hildegard it is I, Max"
She restrained cry with difficulty.
40 Max !" she said, "do not stay thee,
you will be lost p
81 suspect he WILL" answered. tie
voice of the Baron; and in momenta
dozen retainers had surrounded Gnf
Max, beaten down his defence, aid
made him prisoner. His presente
was explained by the fact that his ms
senger met a messenger from the En-
peror dispensing with his attendance;
and on his return a peasant had n
formed him Of the carrying off of lis
betrothed., ~ IS.
Poor Hildegard had sunk back nearly
fainting, when the entrance of her per-
secutor forced her to summon up all Ter
courage.
"Well, fair dame, as your INTENDED
mate is now caught and Gagged, perhaps
you will think better Of the pro-
posal l made to you. have broad
lands and stout arm. You cannot do
better"
Sir Baron, the detestation that
had for you is now coupled with the
deepest contempt. You are as cow
ardly as you are brutal, or you would
not thus misuse the inofensive. Know
then once for all, that Hildegard Coun-
tess Won Sails, rather than even touch
your hand, would have her own right
arm hewn from the shoulder. Ard now
give me at least relief from your pres
ence; and we maidens, keep better
watch, and see that We keep the bolts
in the staples = heoqata 81
Then did the high and mighty Prans
Baron Won Katzenellenbogen return to
his hall in a rage.
Course that little MANKIND he cned;
".what good hath it done to catch the
birds, if [ cannot make them sng :?
Curses In the little wretch!"
Scarcely had he said this When a
whistle was heard behind him which
pierced into his very brain and seemed
as if it would cut the nerves in two.
s. Hank you, Baron" said the little
man, don't curse your friends before
they fail; but tomorrow do as tell
YOU" He whispered few verbs INTO
the Baron's ear, and walked through
the wall as on the first occasion. And
the lord of Acknowledgment Looked
pleased, and having chuckled mirthiul-
ly over his mighty posset, retired to his
couch and snored.
| VI.
|