Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-11-15

Jus hliOu lOb. IL re-
minded me of "ur own fair little one
whom the good Christ claimed for his
own many month ago.
"Surely she is not TO blame for the
sins of her wicked parents. Promise me
that thou wilt not touch hair of her
silIen head.
But Steinert turned upon her 4 face
like night, and commanded sternlv:
'Hush thee, womanr'
a giantin strength. he was like child
in nature.
When the moon rose and shed its sill
very luster over grey crag and lonely
mountain tarn. it showed the steep de-
file pcopled, but not with richly-clad
rctainers and stccds covered with gor-
geous trappings.
Only shadows they seemed to be, but
they were the shadows of men-stal-
wart men from the hamlets below, with
anger burning in their very glances,
and hatred of oppression raging in their
hearts.
StowaSsah Castle reared its proud
turrcts from foundations of solid rock,
and the darkness hovercd like 4 mantle
about Its ancient UNCOVERED walls.
A few lights glimmered from the
stained windows sunk deeply in the
heavy masonry. but no sound was
heard save the Cry of passing bird
and the mournful sigh of the night
wind
Hist! whispered Peter Breckert,
"his followers will be stationed in the
entrance hall, and we must surprise and
overpower them if we wish success to be
ours
Softly they trod the grecnsward Cau-
tiously they mounted the wide stone
steps with the couchant lions of theVon
Fernalds keeping guard on either side,
and stood motionless, with batcd breath,
under the noble archway of the very
castle itself. No armed foe sprang up
to check their entrance. There was no
shout of alarm followed by the answer
ing clash and clangor of steel. Only
dead silence greeted them.
With footsteps that seemed to hush
themselves on the marble pave they
passed on through the spacious hall,
and as they went the angry light died
out OF their eyes, and their hearts beat
to q gentler measure, for reverent
hush seemed to linger in the air.
In the far distance glimmered lights,
and moved by q common impulse they
followed in their direction as sailors fol-
low beacon at sea. Suddenly, as Carl
Steinert, the foremost, paused on the
threshold of spacious high-ceiled
apartment. voice broke the stiffness,
avoice so silyery sweet and clear that it
might have been thatof an angel chant
ing:
He shall put down the mighty from their seats,
And exalt the lowy to high degree.
And other voices took up tie strain
efnd prolonged it till the words died
sAWfS among the arches in notes of raw
isl "a melody. Then, in the second ST.
th3 spld and entered.
20 lights from q thousand waxen
tap&fs glittered from their solid silver
holders on the snowy silken drapery OF
q high altar.
Rare blossoms shed their beauty and
perfume everywhere, hanging heavy
scented heads, or lifting up fairy-white
chalices as if in prayer.
In front of the altar, on y couch of
flowers fairer and frcsher than any
others, lay extended slender waxen
form, clad in rich silken robe, with
long dark lashes curling on the dainty
cheek, and fair sunny hair falling like
veil of gold about her.
Many an ancient retainer of the house
stood around, and one. reused by the
entrance of the new comers. spoke as
in dream:
"The countess is dead
And the words passed from lip to lip
adown the whole long line:
1.-The young Countess Clotilde is
dead"
Then uprose from the head of the bier
tall bent form, that but day since
had been straight as mountain pine,
and, in spite of the silver that threaded
his black locks, and the strength and
pride that had ever departed from him,
the villagers recognized their tyranr
lord and master.
One moment the keen dark eyes
swept over the sea of faces with some-
thing of their old naughty light; then
they grew dim with unshed tears, and
he said. in a voice that sounded strange
to their unaccustomed ears:
''This is kind in you, my people. But
five days ago refused your prayer with
cruel scorning, and yet in your hearts
you bear me no hatred.
"Well may you mourn. She who lies
dead before you, loved YOU with love
that passeth knowledge.
''One hour before the breath left her
lips she won from me. as dying boon,
the promise that l, your feudal lord,
would free you from taxation and bond
age, and create YOU free tillers of the
soil.
"Hcnceforth your liberty is your own;
yours and the children that will follow
after YOU, and the law shall bind what |
have spoken.
LAS for me, am bercfl. My child
my child! the last of mine ancient, no
BILE racc!''
One moment they looked into one an
others faces. and then ut the stricken
count, who, bending low, saw naught
but the couch of flowers that held his
idol; but no words came to their aid.
Silently they passed by the bier,
Reverently they touched the folded
waxen hands. and the yellow silkcn.
tressed mead that but five ewes ago they
had cursed in their heart of hearts.
Then they passed forth again from the
archway of the castle, and on the thres-
hold they broke in twain their weapons
of steel, and left the fragments lying
there, and with them all strife and hat