American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-07-08
LA DAME BLANCHE.

LA DAME BLANCHE.
The ducal residence of Gerolstein is
situated in the bottom of a charming
valley; it. is neither big nor noisy, and
al its streets converge to the ducal cas-
tie, the most beautiful building of the
residence-stately and grand-built in
the most ceremonious rocco style la
Versailles. Pleasant walks lead from
the castle to the parks outside of the
city. Close to the castle stands the also
magnificent but more modern palace of
the Countess of Sauran, who has been
BY morganatic marriage the wife of the
late Duke Ernest, and borne to him two
sons, who were brought us as Counts of
Sauran, and appointed to high offices
at Court. They had no claim to the
succession, since from the first right
handed marriage of the late Duke with
Princess of MemEngen issued the
Crown Prince Franciscus, now reigning
as Duke Franciscus XIV. 1t is true he
was sickly, In consequence of the fatigue
caused by his studious sojourns in Paris
and in Italy; but the succession was
provided for, since week ago his wife,
the handsome Duchess Helena, nee
Princess Lauingen Hallerstein, had
borne him Prince, who was named
Erne, after his grandfather. The little
baby, the future Duke of Gerolstein,
was thriving exceedingly well. He
was as healthy as a goldfish in the
pond, and as fresh as rosebud in sum-
mer. His illustrious mother was radi-
ant with happiness, and, although still
little weak, she would not let the child
from her arms all day long, and gave it
. thousand sweet names. Only nights
the little Duke slept in his room under
the charge and care of his bonnie, the
Princess Larghetto, and of his nurse, a
fresh-looking peasant girl from the
Black Forest.
1t was sultry, vaporous midsummer
night. The whole little residence of
Gerolstein slept the sleep of the righte-
Gus. The sentinel in front of the cas-
tie was slumbering standing, both arms
resting on his gun. The hunting dogs
lay coiled up like ropes in their
kennel, and were now and then
barking low in their sleep. The
weather-cock on the battlement
Of the castle likewise slept soupdly
and motionless, not the least breeze
stirring the atmosphere. The flowers
in the park with closed cups bent their
drowsy heads to the earth, and the
white statues between the dark green
shrubs appeared even more motionless
than in the daytime. Even the paving
stones seemed to sleep, since they had
no footsteps to echo back in the lfeless
streets.
In their high tester-beds the Duke
and the Duchess slept the feverish sleep
OF sickly persons, and in his princely
room slept the little Prince in his cradle
trimmed with blue silk and gold tassels
the Baroness Larghetto on her couch,
and the nurse in her wide, comfortable
easy-chair. The night-lamp seemed to
open an eye only occasionally and shut
1t again Immediately. Even the foun-
tain in the market-place gurgled sleepi-
ly away into the moonlit summer night.
All at once the officiating Chamber
lain, who was in waiting in the long
corridor of the castle, and dreamed in a
bay-window of a duel, uttered piercing
cry and rose staggering.
At this cry, groom with convulsive-
ly opened eyes, moved out of his room,
and saw the white trail of a female
figure disappearing at the end of the
corridor.
The Chamberlain, nervous and trem.
bling all over, caught hold of the groom,
who was about turning round to retire
safely to his room.
"For Gods sake, Jasmin, stay with
me. Did you also seep''
"Whomp''
"Well, she, the Dame Blanche!''
The Dame Blanchei If l saw her
Let me 60, Herr Baron!''
81 to let you go! Not for the world
You must take me with you to your
room. Have you got a bell thereP We
must sound the alarm"
"Sound the alarmi'' Jasmin said,
moaning and crashing his teeth. go,
Herr Baron, what good will that dc
against the Dame Blanchep You know
well enough that the White Lady only
appears when to the most high house
a-a-case of death is impending. God
have mercy on us!''
''Amen!'' trembled the pale Cham.
berlain. you are right, Jasmin; we
must make no noise about it, lest our
most high sovereigns should suspect
what is to befau them. This cursed
stopper of a smelling bottle! You try,
Jasmin, perhaps you can open it,"