The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-19
LADY rREvoR's SECRET.
CHAPTER I.
IN TUE BLACK FOREST.

many, lies hidden the picturesque Fi'aSe -
2orlitz. s.5 ,,,. q.
The principal building in the village y
the little wooden Lutheran church, the ohiS
house of worship. A -.
49, The nastor OF this church year or TWO
as he yras affectionstely called by his peo-
ME. HE was a kindly, supplemented man.
Here ne had dwelt twenty years, the iatn-
cr the nastor. and guide OF his simple peo-
nile. mere his wife recently died; ana mere
&c boned In be buried. He was chiictess,
his family consisting of an old housekeeper
and a yoilnc girl known as his niece.
This niece OF the PASTOR was the idoi OF
The good people OF Zorlitz. She tended tne
peasants in their illnesses; she visited the
Quaint old houses like sunbeam, bringing
with her always warmth and sunshine.
One afternoon in June, at the time we
have indicated, our heroine, after making
cali upon sick old woman, began the ascent
of the steep hill In the direction Of the par
sonape. when halfway up the slope she
turned aside into the woods, pursuing
shaded path at an easy pace, swinging her
broad-brimmed hat by its ribbons from her
arm. and carrolling a German song IN
sweet voice, that reused the birds to emu
lation.
She was about seventeen years .of age,
tall, slim, and graceful, with beauty I'M
mistakably English, and yet more unm's-
taka',y patrician.
This girl, with her wonderful beauty,
which would have made sensation In the
queens drawing-room, with her eXqulsite
refinement of looks and manner that de-
clared ner gentle birth and breeding, pos
sessed q grandly generous nature, warm
heart. and impulsive temperament, and,
withal, personal magnetism that attracted
every one to her.
She had been thoroughly well educated,
the good pastor and his wife having gloried
in her Keen intellect and in her thirst for
knowledge. They had taught her various
languages, music TOR which she had posi-
tive geniuss drawing, and painting, and
various feminine arts; but her accomplish
ments were among the least OF her charms.
The path along which she was walking
came out upon q spring, whose clear pool
was Swallowed by bending trees. This was
aiayorite resort OF the young girl, and she
sat down upon the green bank, the song
dying on her lips, and q strange gravity
overspreading her face.
ooh, DEAR" she said, signing, 81 am so
tired OF this dear, stupid old Zorlitz. wish
that could see something of the world out
side. have read OF the great towns, OF
different peoples, Of life besides which ours
is stasnation. am growing disconnected.
Must live here all my life, and die, and be
buried here, knowing nothing OF any better
existencet II il were not for leaving uncle
I'd beg to be allowed to 60 somewhere as
governess. But can't leave him, and he
will never leave Zorlitz. And yet I'd
give half my remaining life for change-if
i might only go some where and sec some
thin o. NJ the world -
Did some mischievous spirit hear her
complaint and resolve to grant her wish!
For change in her life was close at hand
change greater than even her vivid imagi-
nation would have dared conceive. That
very hour was the last she would ever
know OF commonplace existence. Perhaps
It was as we'll that she could not read the
strange future before her, else she might
have shruns from it in terror and misgivipg,
preferring The safe shelter OF the Zorlitz
parsonage, In the depths of the Black For
est, to the wh!rling vortex, the perils and
troubles lying in wait for her in the great
"world outside"
She was still musing disesntantedly when
spalen ride-shot rang out sharply upon
the airs-a deer went flying past--and
singing pain in the girPs left arm sent
thrill OF faintness quiyering through her.
A low cry escaped her us she realized
that she had been shot. That cry was
echoed from the Mortified lips OF two hunts
men, who bounded into the glade and halt
ed abruptly Mt sight Of her.
"By Joye!' cried one, speaking In the
English language. "A perfect Dlana'
Glenham! And you've shot her."
The other raised his hand IN an 1mpe-
rious gesture commanding silence, ana ad'
yanced towards the faintins girl, his coun-
tenance still wearing an expression OF nor
ror, in which were now mingieo oeep
pity and keen remorsefulness. il,
The girl had tainted quite away by the
time he had reached her. Flinging down
his unIuckv rifle the young man devoted
himself to her recovery with peculiar gen.
tleness and reverence, and with an assidu-
ity that speedily recalled her to conscious
ness, She opened her eyes upon the
strangers, blushed wildly, and arose stead
ily to her feet, retreating few PAGES.
GA perfect little queen !" cried the gem
tleman who had before spoken. "Who
would have dreamed OF finding such mag
niticent little beauty in this wilderness! l
say, Glcnham-"
The girls pale face flushed scarlet.
"Pardon," she said, speaking in English,
with an accent as pure as that OF the gentle
man, "but understand English"
The two young men were, Tor the mo-
ment, covered with confusion. Then the
one who had been called Glenham addressed
himself to the young lady, avowed himself
the author Of her injury, lamented his own
awkwardness, and begged to be permitted
10 examine her arm to ascertain the extent
OF her wound, and to endeator to alleviate
her suffering.
His evident sorrow, his chivalric courtesy,
impressed the girl, who quietly gave assent,
and permitted him to examine her arm.
"My friend, in his chagrin at his awk-
Wardness, has forgotten to introduce him
SELF" said the gentleman who had fSt
spokeu, "Permit me to remedy this def
cheney. He Is Gordon, Earl Of Glenham,
OF Yorkshire, England. And I have the
honor to be his very good friend, Maldred
Grafton. We came on an exploring and
hunting expedition to these Wllds, little eX'
pectIng to find here fellow-country-
woman"
The young lady acknowledged the intro
Guction with bow, and responded:
81 fear that cannot lay claim to the same
nationality with yourself. / am Cecil Rose,
the niece OF Herr Broken, the Lutheran
pastor Of Zorlitz."
To the girl, reared In that secluded re-
gion, seeing, besides her aged relative, only
The rude peasants Of. Zorlitz, young Lord
Glenham appeared very demi-god.
He was strikingly handsome, with dis
tinguished presence. he was about twenty
eigbt wears OF age, yet ne retained youth
full freshness OF feeling, was chiyalrous and
noble in the highest degree, and was not
only unmarried, but he had never loved.
His companion, Maldred Grafton, was bis
intimate friend and distant relative, who