Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-04-27

tnaI grow weary WiGla carrying. An,
what would 1 not do for the man
who should lift away this groaning
weight" -
81 will do it-only give me the op-
portanity. What is your burden
your dread heart-weight-Zelda? !?
Quick-tell mel" crled the young
soldier eagerly. 50
SIT is burden of vengeance-the
obligation of avenging my fathers
DEATH" said the young girl in a SOL
emn tone.
"What! against the authorities? !?
Surely, Zelda, you would not be
avenged upon the whole Austrian
army? And, since it was by the SOL
diers he met his Death
"No, no, mol" interrupted -
girl, with a passionate energy that
was as revelation to her would-be-
lover. II would be avenged upon
those who betrayed him into the SOL
diers' power. Speak, Ludwig! dare
you ayenge me my fathers wrongs?"
81 dare, and will" said Ludwig,
simply. "Who are the tratorsg''
''Kuralfi, for one.''
"Kuralf-your fathers successor
in the leadership of those terrible
hunters?' repeated Ludwig, starting
back.
"Aha! the very mention of his
name blanches you.''
''No, no, by heaven! started
with astonishment-no more. 1t is
generally thought that Kuralfi was
your fathers friend; that, from be-
ing his lieutenant, he naturally
''The general impression is false
one,' said Zelda. "My father was
betrayed, fouly and treacherously-
by Kiralf directly, and byRubiski, my
adopted father, Indirectly. I swear
to you, by our patron saint, that I
know whereof 1 speak! and Rubiski
knows that I know it. That is why
he fears for he likewise knows my
nature"
''Do not think I doubt you, Zelda,
now that you have spoken. Is the
inn-keeper, then, still in league with
the robbers?''
Eyes; and the destruction of Ku-
ralf will involve Rubski's~ ruin. I
have, kept this secret in my heart for
eight long years-ever since my child
hood, ever since my fathers death,
ever since Rubiski's adoption of me,
the orphan, in the vain hope that he
would thus elude the vengeance of my
race. I have kept it there, fearing
that there was none bold enough to
help me to my revenge. But, as 1
have said, it has grown an insupport-
able burden.''
"Show me but the way, and 1 will
relieve you of this obligation, Zelda,
nor ask for a reward!' cried the
young soldier, enthusiastically.
"Your reward shall none the less
be my heart and hand," said Zelda.
"That is, if you really love me, as 1
think you do, and IT,
He interrupted her by trying to
clasp her in his arms, but she waved
him back.
"The achievement first, the guer-
don afterward." said she. Listen.
l have learned, from overhearing Ru-
biski in conversation with one of the
robbers in disguise, that an attack is
to be made upon the monastery up
yonder.''
''On the monastery? on the poor
priests p l-..-s5. -
''They are not poor. Their seem
ing beggary is but mask to great
wealth, which they have buried away
among the cloisters, for the purpose
of one day founding new and grand
monastery of their order in Walla-
CHA. Kuralfi knows of this. He
has already planned the attack"
''Have you warned the monks?''
''No. Such warning would not be
needed, if offered; and, moreover,
do not choose to offer it. 1 would
have Kuralfi and the flower of his
crew Gagged in the old walls, and ther
captured or destroyed"
''It shall be done. When is thu
attack to be made?''
81 know not precisely when. Tha
you must find out by proceeding
among the robbers in disguise. Afte
you shalt have obtained precise in
formation, your captain can max
such disposition of the soldiers a
shall entrap the robbers to thei
doom"
! Ludwig gave an inward shudder
The fiendish ferocity of Kuralf, es
] pecially against spies, was a matte
of generally knowledge. He wa