Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-01
THE HEIR OF BEROLDSTEIN,

| little English parish where / was born, and I,
his only child, had reaped the benefit Of q care
ful education, which he bad given me during
his spare hours. When, little after my
twentieth birthday, my father died, leaving
his untarnished name as sole Inheritance for
my mother and myself, began to realize the
value of his teaching, for it-aided by my vigor.
Gus health and a fair spirit Of determination
must now keep the wolf from the door.
My father had rich influential relatives, but
they were too much occupied with the respon-
sibilities which wealth brings to take to heart
the troubles of their poorer kindred-though
perhaps am ungrateful to say this, for it was
through the Intervention Of my uncle that
gained the position which assured to me at last
the happiness of my life.
In southern PRUSSIA, in the Duchy Of Berold-
stein, the position of nursery-soverness to two
children was vacant-a most desirable place, the
children being the infant son and daughter of
the late Duke of DerOldstein, who had died
only six months before. Thanks to my uncle,
felt fairly confident with respect to my pro-
ficiency, for at first my task would be only to
TO teach them to speak my English tongue cor
rectly; but confess that l felt very down.
hearted as went on board the boat that was
to take me to an unknown country.
"four brother need not be uneasy about you
We shall land safe enough on the other side, -
said the CHEEKY captain, standing near me.
eyed young fellow who watched me from the
shore with such look of anxious regret on his
face was not my brother
AS Charlie kissed me-he had never kissed
me on the lips beforehand whispered, keep a
good heart, Alice, my darling-we shall meet
hopeful than 1 had for months before, for his
words seemed to contain in them certainty
OF fulfi!ment.
Charlie Kent and had been lovers almost
from babyhOod; and. now that childhood had
long since passed, cannot say that our feelings
for each other had changed save to intensity.
We were both very poor, but were content
enough to wait for better times.
SchlOss Berolstein proved to be a very stately
old mansion, trifie repellant in its air of an
tiquity and isolation from the rest of the world
y park extending many miles lay before the
castle, and from my 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 t he
statues were broken, the fountain ont of repair,
and an air of neglect pervaded the avenues and
shrubbeTy.
The Duchess lived in the strictest seclusion on
account OF her recent bereavement, her only
concern being the welfare of her children. My
little charges were charming-a twin brother
and sister, and the only surviving children of
the family.
Roderic the young heir to the dukedom, was
truly beautiful child, rosy and cherub-like,
well befitted the high rank to which he was
born. Amalie, the little girl, was a quieter,
softer copy OF her brother, and already the pair
were devotedly attached to each other.
The children We're rather more than a year
old when arrived at Beroldstein-certaiuly too
young to derive much benefit from my pres
ence, thought; but, it was customary in
hlgb families to have the children learn foreign
itself.
Very little time elapsed before found my
self the friend and confidant of Fra Brenner
housekeeper at the Castle. Among other bits
of information she told IN e whatI rather ex-
pected to hear, that Schloss Beroldstein was
haunted.
at is quite the spot for a ghost to choose for
lrad nr,1t I,.,,,, u
secretly amused at the old wOman's credulity
encouraged her by my air of deep interest to
tell me more of this spectral visitant.
1t was the well-known story of a lady in white
appearing as the silent herald OF a death in the
iamii y. Three years before one dark stormy
night, the sentinel at the gates had seen the
White Lady gliding among the trees towards
the Castle, and before morning the Uncle of the
la late Duke was stricken dead with paralysis.
Ihree times the white apparition was seen
during the week before his Highness Duke Al
,brecht died; and, according to Frau Bremen,
no member of the Won Beroldstein family had
ever been gathered to his fathers without the
assistance of the White Lady. The mere men,
ton of her name made every servant in the
place shudder, and even the more enlightened
members of the household did not deny her
evil influence. In fact, had freq uent occasion
after this to wonder at the amount of supersti-
ton prevalent among even the higher class in
this little corner of the world whittier fate had
drifted me.
Some months later was out in the park with
the two children. 1t was mid-winter, and there
was snow enough for sledging: the children
clothed from head to foot in soft white fur and
nan buried In polar bear robe, were enjoying
ride in their swan-shaped sleigh in white and
silver, with an arch of tinkling bells attached
before. in the Russian fashion.
While foOtman pushed the dainty little
Vehicle walked on one side talking to the chill
dren and enjoying their baby sh delight at the
gllstenlng frost and snow.
Roderic was trimming over with life and ex-
citement and his restless little hands, mittened
In fur, clutched at every low-hanging icicle and
giittering twig, thereby letting in much of the
cold breath of winter on his more composed
sister. As we went briskly down the avenue a
lady richly dressed in black velvet and sable
met and stopped our little cavalcade / Won
dered who this grdnde dame could be who pre-
ferred a lonely walk in the deserted avenues
company.
~ must pay my respects to the young Duke y
she said pleasantly.
She took little Roderics hand In hers and
looked at him long and intently, but not with
the expression that his rosy cheeks and bright
blue eyes ought to have awakened in the face
OF a woman. Her look was more as If she bore
the innocent little fellow malice, and when he
pointed with delight to the lions heads in dead
impatiently. After asking few questions about
Roderics health and mental development,
which i was proud to answer with glowing
praise, she resumed her walk with stiff adieu
TO me and not a word or look for little Amalie
who. aided by her brother, threw most affec.
Tomato Kisses from her mittened fingers after
the retreating figure.
felt a sudden uncOnquerable dislike to this
woman; she was tall. stately and beautiful in a
't"tuSSqoo, HodI ticsS way. DuI j knew there
was no more tenderness in her than there was
blood in her velyety cream-ike complexion
Nv no Is that lady?' asked of the footman
when she was out of hearing.
mime. Elizabeth of Beroldstein. the wife of
the late Dukes younger brother. She would be
Duchess now If it were not for this little man
gently touching ROderic's curly hair .They
say her mind is sometimes astray and believe
the gOssfps are right"
In feature, carriage and gesture she was much
more the high-bOrn dame than was the amiable
mother of the two children in my charge and
IL seemed afterwards to me as If Nine EiiZa-
beth protested silently against the fate that had
not elevated her to the place which she would
have adorned so we'll.
HAS Mime. Elizabeth any children" asked
"ies. two boys: but they cannot be Dukes of
Beroldstein unless misfortune overtakes nv
young master, which Heaven forbid. Nine
Elizabeth cannot become reconciled to the fact
that her husband is only the second SON
The dislike had conceive ed TOR the new conner
only increased on nearer acquaintance: she had
come tor a visit of some weeks, perhaps months
To- the Castle, and / noticed that without ycen,
ton the Older servants Of the place either smoke
i'll of her or never mentioned her name
''She Is one of the beautiful demons that one
hears about In the stories OF my country" re-
marked Frau Bremen, with a shake OF her
head. But one should not Judge her too
hastily; she lived all her youth in a lonely part
under the influence of a father who was none
too sanity"
shortly after this my attention was taken M
10y al event much more interesting to Inc than
the intrigues of the Won Beroldstein family
Charlie, my lOver-bless his faithful hearth
had by dint of persistent search obtained a po-
sition In bank at Trier. a trifling distance by