Smyrna times., 1881-09-07

heard the tale, and thinking over it, said
softly to himself:
The woman must be more or less than
human; she is certainly worth peaceable
campaign"
And he resolved to humble the pride of
the most lovely lady before many months
have passed.
First, he trained his horse most carefully
to pace around narrow stones laid cross
wise, and when the animal could do so
without faltering, he mounted him and
set out for the Lady Eleanoras castle by
by the Rhine.
Arrived at its gates, he summoned its
fair mistress, and declared himself ready
to mount the tower, and ride around the
fatal parapet. But she, beholding how
gallant, felt her heart for the first time
fail her, and gladly would have forbidden
him the trial, had her pride allowed her
to speak.
Sorrowfully she followed him, while he
led his horse up the steep, winding stair
way. Out ON the narrow parapet he
came, and softly caressing the frightened
beast, he whispered gently to him.
"Only prove now that you have learned
well the task taught you, and we will
soon show this stony-hearted beauty that
her Yaunting and her defiance are in
vain"
Carefully he began the dangerous ride,
with cool head and steady hand, while
his horse, accustomed by his late training
to keep his footing on such rough and
narrow stones, and encouraged by his mas
ters voice, and the firm hand that held
his Feins skilfnlly picked his way over the
time-wOrn, crumbling wall.
Meanwhile, the Lady Eleanora watched
him with thrObbing heart, bewailing her
own cruelty and his madness; now dar
ing to hope that he might prove success
ful-now turning sick at heart, as the
horse stumbled and swerved q little over
the side of the parapet,
Once loose stone rolled from under
his feet and slipped down the abyss, and
rearing back in alright, it seemed for an
instant as II all were lost.
She could bear to look no longer. hut
crouched on the ground, while, as the
German goet tells us, she
-wept and trembled
! Till her lovely face resembled
AS she looked away. a lily wet with rain,
Hapless Lady Eleanora-
Hapless Lady Eeanora Won ALeyne!"
But no! the Margrave, unmoved as
stone, has quieted his terrified horse, and
urging him on, still rides around the par
apet. Will the distance never be passed i?
A few steps more, and the goal will be
won.
The lady's breath forsook her as she
watched those few last steps with burning
eyes and sinking heart, until at last-oh,
joyous moment the horseis feet have
gained once more the turret door.
The danger is over, and loud shout
of rapture from the many lookers-on as
sured her of the safety of her knight.
Rising to her feet, and smiling through
her tears, she has hastened gladly to meet
him.
You are indeed hero" she said.
with radiant eyes, land have fairly con,
quered me. greet you as my lever, and
before many days are passed you shall
wed me and be the ruler of all nv do
main !" and she held out her white hand
to him.
But the gallant Margrave drew coldly
back, and in his blue eyes she saw only
aversion and distrIst. Bowing low, he
said, sternly:
There are many others, noble Lady
tsleanOra, who, when called upon. will
willingly risk danger they disdain.
Wed one of these, if you will, for TO me
your beauty and your hand alike are worth.
less. have already won wife dearly
love from Spain.'
Then, mounting his steed, he rode away
leaving the Lady Elearnora overwhelmed
With shame and SORROW, Closing her
castie.gates she admitted no more suItors,
but spent her days in bewailing her cruelty
and its bitter punishment.
Weeping, morning and night, and un.
pitied by all, she lost her beauty, growing
wrinkled and old before her time and
finally, so runs the legend, was changed
into wooden statue, which for many years
stood, stiff and ugly, before the castle
. gate.
, 1t became custom for all who paaseC
to salute the image, under penalty of .
fine. A peasant who neglected to rails,
bis cap paid for his neglect with tankarC
of ale, but a burgher with bottle of ole
wine
! And whenever pretty girl showed
herself vain of her bright eyes or lengthy
! faxen braids, her grandmother woult
!, shake her head and say:
q" Remember, child, the sad fate of tn,
J Lady Eleanora Won Alleynel"
4 A CURIOUS Casa ma,l, supposed to b
4 dead, retnrns after has estate has been ad
], 'aieistered SpOn,--Iohn T, Wilson, a resi-
Z dent of New Castle county, went Wes