The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-11-11
BLOOMSBURY, PA, FRIDAY. NOVEMBER II, 1881.

archaic she absolutely trimmed the Bar
on's beard A young girl from the village
was introduced as parlor maid,or waiter,
or what moi, and Lucille soon had her in cap
and apron waiting upon the Wolves at
table We were all being changed from
animals to men. A womans hand, what
was it not to the sad, half-civilized and
neglected boys,who had grown up in the
old stone castle, without the sight of a
woman.
Lucille found JOY in our landscape,
happiness in our out of-door-life; she
seemed always to be discovering a bit of
carving, majolica jug, an old mirror, or
curious chair, which was before unknown
and unnoticed She brought in taste, that
best of visitors, and love and beauty and
refinement to our den. The Wolves in
her presence forgot all their grossness.
The young girl carried with her an at
mosphere which repelled while it allured,
and although alone in our Wolves den,
she was as safe as if she had been in the
moon.
Something OF the boy mingles in the
character of such woman as she. The
Rosalinds, the Niolas of great Shaks
peare give us the keynote. Her jolly
companionship with us for season shut
the dangerous door of sentiment. Ihad
no mysterious fear of her,as heard that
menhad of the women whom they loved;
and although her Partisan fineries and
pretty boots and gloves charmed my
senses like n new perfume, | still felt
capable of gayly criticising her gowns
and ribbons, if they did not altogether
suit her surroundings. Ludwig told her
that her favorite pink dress was horrible,
she was equally frank in despising his
one broadcloth, church going, badly
made suit. We were comrades as well
as cousins, and joked each other freely
But Pandora's box had been opened,
and the troubles were sure to come out,
"Lucille goes away tomorrow; she
goes back to Paris to be married, said
the Baron one day, as she had departed
to the kitchen to instruct Felehaza in
the manufsct of new salad. She
had been with US all summer--a golden
summer for the Wolves.
| felt as if an icy heart had taken the
place of that warm viscera which before
had beaten in my bosom, and looked
up at Ludwig. He was as pale as death
Ernst could only speak.
so the sunshine goes out of the
Wolves castle, does it," said he.
Yes" said the Baron, gloomily 'Lu-
ellie has been very charming She will
make noble wife--an ornament to the
rich and famous family which she enters
Women love luxury. They must nave
it. She belongs to your mothers blood!
She loved luxury. l could not give it to
her. We are poor.
Why had she come here-this daugh.
ter Of the gods! Why had she entered
our mountain fastness? That we dared
not ask. We only heard and remem-
bercd that last sentence--"We are poor. "
The Baron permitted no questions.
1t was Ernst who had the courage to
speak to her of her marriage. 1t was a
family arrangement she said, and that
she supposed it was all right. She seemed
to be, as we were, ignorant of all that
most Immediately concerned herself.
| ne IIclvs were queer FAMILY as we
could not but reflect. And then l wan
dered off up the high hill that looks
over to the valley of the Danube, and
communed with my own heart and was
still. for the first time knew that
was a man and not a boy: that l loved
her, and must win her, else my heart
would break-and yet what had to
offer her?
As came home at nightfall | heard
in the wood near me two horses come
slowly along. stepped behind a mighty
pine tree and hid myself. 1t was Lud-
wig and with him Lucille; he had his
hand on her bride rein she was weep
ing bitterly He was telling her that he
Ioved her; and oh how manly and
handsome he looked as he bent his pale
grave face over her.
"Oh, Ludwig! Ludwig said the Cir
looking up through tears like Anslaga
Il hrve loved you every hour since
came to Castle Wolfgang-but it canno
bet cannot be"