The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-01

JouehAul iualNou VI luarVcllOuS beauty anu
grace.
Asoft, white, flowing robe, loosely corded
at the waist, and certain air of watchful
expectancy, proved that she was sitting up
beyo; d her usual honr, with some purpose
In view.
AS tho door opened, and the princely old
man entered, she started to her feet with
cry of alarm, and rushing forward,
twincd her arm about him and led him to
scat.
"My fathcrl" she painted, with filing
eyes, "what Is 1t Tell your Lc>na Why
arc you so broken, so pale, and so sud, my
fathcr2"
'rhe stars never lie, my daughter" Sighed
the astrologer, for such he was.
''Ah !" exclaimed the maiden, q quick
alarm in look and tone.
''Even so. The stars spoke truly. 1t is
Albrccht Albrccht, the mighty nccro.
manccr."
ooh my fathcrl my fatherl"
'Albrccht. And tonight the spirit of
evil hath stood in Invisible shape within
these walls. You, and you only, Lcona,
can drive them forth"
"12" cried the maiden, opening wide her
lovely blue eyes.
cay, for you it is they seek to destroy.
You know the White Hand protects our
house, and it will protect you-il has this
night-but yet you must be tempted and
resist. My child, my child, you will be ter
ribly tried. Pray for help; for help you will
sorcly need. The beautiful youth is tho
wicked lord of Bohmcrwald Castle, old ugly,
and satanic; but changed in public by AL
brecht'spowcrful spell into being of prince
like beauty and grace. Beware, my Leonal
All, gee! The White Hand"
Lcona looked up in fearless but awed
silence. =
AS she did 50, tile White Hand slowly
pointed finger towards her, and swcctly
musical voice breathrd sadly 80
"Bewarc! bcwarc!''
"Iou hear, my Child" said the old as
trologcr, with anxious eyes and voice.
"Nly father, rest thee in peace; l will
obey"
The astrologer kissed her brow with a
sigh, and then blessing her, retired.
The following morning rose cloudy anu
cold, and the unwcicome guests prolonged
their stay, as the as,rologcr knew too well
they would. .''" "..' ."' g 's ...
For a while Leona was coltlly courteous;
but ere long the deadly facinatlons of the
old lord of Bohmerwald began to do their
work, and Lcona secretly thought
.It cannot DO true This noble youth,
with his beautiful smile, his heavenly eyes,
and great thoughts, must be what he
seems"
And the White Hand remained hidden,
though once Leona thought with strange
pang that she heard faint voice signing In
far of dying tones ,.@
"Bcwarel I3ewarc!" ...,
But the wicked lords dulcet tones were
in her ears and she forgot it instantly.
The days passed on. ..,....r
The lord whispered his final words of pas
sion and cntreaty. ..- ....,. IL.
'Fly with me, my beloved" he whis-
pered. "Thy father will never consent
Let us hic away to a sunny land and be for
ever happy" ... ..,
And Lcona allowed herself to be entrcatcd
to be drawn to the breast of the wicked
lord, and kissed with his lips.
She consented. The night came. The
hour drew near.
Hooded and cloakcd, she waited the last
moment.
In the last moment she remembered her
forgotten prayers, and half fcarfuily she
life! her eyes and hands upwards.
Az the first words passed her lips, the
White Hand tremblcd before her.
"Ah, help mel" sighed Lcona.
"Rosist or perish! |" said the musical
voice.
Aud just then, the youth she loved en-
tered.
''Come, come; my beloved, come !" he
cried.
Lcona gazcd upon him with face of an.
gGish. but she sighed
-HN.cSTer, Never r. - .~>~'-----
''Nevcr!" cried the seeming youth in harsh
tones. ii s,fss
"Nevcr!' repeated Leona, with strength
sncd will and firm voice. -
"Ila say you so2" shricked thoIold
lord, bounding towards her in his rage,
"Scrve you your lover thus, 1faithless
maiden 2''
But as he dashed towards her, his youth
full seeming vanished, and he stood there, the
satanic old lord of Bohmcrwald. s.
"Too late, too late, my lord !" cried AL
brecht, in terrified tones, rs Lcona, with a
cry of horror, covered her eyes. "Comc, if
you would preserve your life one hour
longer"
And the baflled old lord with howl of
rage, fled wildly after the necromancor, and
Lcona never heard of them again or rather,
she heard that the old lord was found dead
among the rocks of the Bohmcrwad two
days later. rsl,, .. -,