Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-10-18
For TIE REPUBLICAN.
Lodoiska
BY FRED LANG.
CHAPTER VIII.

Festive preparations were here
in progress for the reception OF the
august visitor. A great number OF
laborers and gardeners daughters
were busily engaged, under the d.
rection Of the royal gardner. adorn-
ing tho, place with wrcaths and fes-
toons OF flowers. A splendid tent
had been pitched on the green sward,
and even the ancient watch tower,
from the pinnacles OF which one
could see only on the tops OF the
neighboring trees, was ornamented
with flowers. presenting strange
anomaly with the old crumbling
stones.
Thus our young friends to their
surprise, found themselves quite
alone among the workmen, as none OF
the spectators had arrived up so
high. For this, they had, unknown
TO them. to thank the officers, par
ticularly Rasinski; for orders had
been issued to admit no one not
belonging to the court, beyond cer-
tain limits or the mountain; and to
enforce this, sentries had been
posted on the main-path; the smaller
paths had been left ungarded. Two
sentries were at the top, but as Ras-
inski wore his rich uniform and was
accompanied by two officers. it was
bclieyed by the soldiers that he had
the amplest right and privilege to
remain on the mountain.
They now ascended the tower to
admire the landscape above and
below. The broad silver belt OF the
Elbe, divides the landscape into two
distinct parts, and the eye dwells
delighted on the beautiful images
reflected by the river, from the blue
misty towers and steeples of Dresden.
over the vineyards OF Loschrwoltz. to
the rugged mountain-peaks OF
Koenigstein and Lilienstein. While
all were engaged admiring the scene,
dark. gray. cloud arose above the
mountain. At the same time hol-
low murmur was heard, and the
trees OF the forest-clad hills were
seen waving and tossing to and fro
A violent gust OF wind swept round
the tower, and by the suddeness of
the attack came very near carrying
Off the shawls and bonnets OF the
ladies. - tia w
The storm threatened to become
very violent and was now so close
upon them, that escape was out of
the question. Their situation was,
therefore somewhat critical. The
black. portentous clouds rolled up
in heavy masses from the easterly
horizon, and gradually shrouded the
mountain In their gray mantle. In
the west, the clear light OF the purest
ether shone from under the beetling
clouds, which piled together before
the suns disk, were bordered with a
bright fringe Of gold. Drops OF rain
began to fall, and the storm came on
apace, but soon the clouds tore In
pieces, scudded away over the mount
in-peak, gathering their forces on
the other side OF the stream In q
more compact array. While they
were yet admiring the scene, horse
man came at full gallop up the
mountain-path. He brought the in
telligence to the head gardner that
the ascent by torch-light had been
suddenly postponed, and that conse-
quently, all preparations were to be
discontinued. The worlkmen on re-
ceiving this warning. hurried to put
on their laid-aside garments, and
fastened down the mountain.
The last remaining workmen had
now left the pace. and as the head
gardener was about to leave, Fred
! erick ran down the stairs, and asked