The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-03
THE WHITE LADY.
Her Vaccinations Against the
Young Heir Of Beroldstein.

My father had been clergyman in the
quiet little English parish where / was
born, and l, his only child, had reaped the
benefit of careful education, which he
had given me during his spare hours
When, little after my twentieth birth
day, my father died, leaving his unfair
nished name as sole inheritance for my
mother and myself, [ began to realize the
value of his teaching, for it-aided by my
vigorous health and fair spirit of deter
mination- now keep the wolf from
the door.
My father had rich influential relatives,
but they were too much occupied with the
responsibilities which wealth brings to
take to heart the troubles of their poorer
kindred-5hough perhaps | am ungratefUl
to say this, for it was through the inter-
vention OF my uncle that l gained the po-
sition which assured to me at last the hap
piness of my life.
In Southern Prussia, in the Duchy of Be-
roldstein, the position of nursery. govern
ess to two children was vacant most
desirable place, the children being the in
faat son and daughter of the late Duke OF
BerOldstein, who had died only six months
before. Thanks to my uncle, was the
chosen applicant for this position. / felt
fairly confident with respect to my prof.
cheney, for at first my task would be only
TO have the supervision of the noble chill
dren and to teach them to speak my En-
sIish tongue correctly; but confess that
feit very down-hearted as | went on board
the boat that was to take me to an unknown
country.
"Your brother need not be uneasy about
you've shall land safe enough on the other
side," said the CHEEKY Captain, standing
near me.
IL L, r.. II
frank-eyed young fellow who watched me
from the shore with such a look of anxious
regret on his face was not my brother.
As Charlie kissed me-he had never
kissed me on the lips beforehand whis-
pered, "Keep good heart, Alice, my dar-
ling-we shall meet again when prospects
are brighter" | felt more hopeful than
had for months before, for his words
seemed to contain in them a certainty of
fulfilment.
Charlie Kent and 1 had been lovers al
most from babyhood; and, now that child
hood had long since passed, | can not say
that our feelings for each other had
changed, save to intensity. We were both
very poor, but were content enough to
wait for setter times.
SchlOSs BeroldStein proved to be very
stately old mansion, trifie repellaut in its
mir of antiquity and isolation from the rest
of the world. A park extending many
miles lay DeIOr6 bn6 CaSUle, aQU from NV
windows at the back had beautiful view
of the Eifel mountains. The grounds at
one time must have been laid out and
tended with royal care; but now the
statues were broken, the fountain out of re
pair, and an air OS neglect pervaded the
avenues aad shrubbery.
The Duchess lived in the strictest seclu-
sion on account of her recent bereavement,
her only concern being the welfare of her
children. My little charges were charm
ing-a twin brother and sister, and the
only surviving children of the family.
Roderic. the young heir to the dukedom,
was a truly beautiful child, rosy and
cherub-like, with a promise of intelligence
in his face which well befitted the high
rank TO which he was born. Amalie, the
little girl, was quietsr, softer copy of her
brother, and already the pair were devo-
tedly attached to each other.
The children were rather more than a
year old when l arrived at Beroldstein-
certainly too young to derive much benefit
was customary in high families to have
the children learn foreign tongues from
the cradle, my conscience quieted itself.
Very little time elapsed before I found
myself the friend and confidant of Frau
Brenner, housekeeper at the Castle
me what / rather expected to hear, that
-Schloss Beroldstein was haunted.
at is quite the spot for a ghost to choose
for midnight wanderings," / remarked
and though secretly amused at the old
woman's credulity, encouraged her by
my air of deep interest to tell me more OF
this spectral visitant.
Il was the well-known story of a lady il
white appearing as the silent herald of s
death in the family. Three years before
one dark, stormy night, the sentinel at tht
gates had seen the White Lady gliding
among the trees towards the Castle, anC
before morning the uncle of the late DUKE
was stricken dead with paralysis. Three
times TIE white apparition was seen during
the week befors lis E:gSness Duke Al
brecht died; and, according to Frau Bren.
ner no member of the Won BeroldsteiI
family had ever been gathered to hi:
fathers without the assistance of the White
Lady. The mere mention of her nam,
made every servant in the place shudder
and eSen the more enlightened me -lberS o.
the household did not deny her evil in
fuence. In fact, l had frequent occasion
after this to wonder at the amount o
superstitution prevalent among even th'
higher class in this little corner Of tn,
world whittier fate had drifted me.
Some months later was out in the parl
with the two children. 1t was mid-winter
and there was snow enough for sledGlng
the children, clothed from head to fco6 IL
soft white fur and half buried in a polal
bear robe, were enjoying a ride IN thei
swan-shaped sleigh in white and silver
with an arch of tinkling bells attached be-
fore, in the Russian fashion.
While q footman pushed the dainty littl
vehicle walked on one side talking TO tn
children and enjoying their babyish de
Light at the glistening frost and snow.