The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-08-28
SELECT STORY.
THE HEIR OF BEROLDsTBIN.

born, and |. his only child, had reaped
the benefit of careful education,
which he had given me during his
spare hours. When, little after my
goth birthday, my father died, leaving
his untarnished name as sole inherit
ance for my mother and myself, be
gan to realize the value of his teaching,
for it-aided by my vigorous health
and fair spirit of determination--
must now keep the wolf from the door.
My father had rich influential rela-
tives, but they were too much occupied |
with the responsibilities which wealth |
brings to take to heart the troubles of
their poorer kindred-though perhaps |
l am ungrateful to say this, for it was
through the Intervention of my uncle
that I gained the position which assur-
ed to me at last the happiness of my
life
III Southern Prussia, in the Duchy
of Beroldstein, the position of nurs-
cry governess to two children was va
cant-a most desirable place, the chill
dren being the infant son and daughter
of the late Duke of Bcroldstein, who
had died only six months before.
Thanks to my uncle, was the chosen
applicant for this position. felt fair
ly confident with respect to my prof
cheney, for at first my task would be
only to have the supervision of the no.
BILE children and to teach them to speak
my English tongue correctly; but l
confess that l felt very downnearted
as went aboard 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 Cap
tain, standing near me.
smiled through my tears, for the
tall, frank-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 mc-he had never
kissed me on the lips beforehand whis-
pered, "Keep good heart, Alice, my
darling-we shall meet again when
prospects are brighter" felt more
hopeful than had for months before,
for his words seemed to contain in
them certainty of fulfillment.
Charlie Kent and l had been lovers
almost from babyhood; and, now that
childhood had long since passed, l can
not say that our feelings for each 9th
er had changed, save to intensity. We
were both very poor, but were content
enough to wait for better times.
Schloss Beroldstein proved to be a
very stately old mansion, trihe repel-
liant in its air of antiquity and issola-
ton from the rest of the world. A park
extending many miles lay before the
castle, and from my windows at the
back I had beautiful view of the Ell
fel Mountains. The grounds at one
time must have been laid out and tend
ed with royal care; but now the stat
ues were broken, the fountain out of
repair, and an air of neglect pervaded
the avenues and shrubbery.
The Duchess lived in the strictest Se-
I clusion on account of her recent be-
reavement. her only concern being the
welfare of her children. My little
charges were charming-a twin broth
er and sister, and the only surviving
children of the family.
Roderic, the young heir to the duke
dom, was truly beautiful child, rosy
and cherublike, with promise of intel
ligence in his face which well befitted
the high rank to which he was born
Amelia, the little girl, was a quieter,
softer copy of her brother, and already
the pair were devotedly attached tc
each other.
The children were rather more thar
, a year old when I arrived at Berold
, stein-certainlY too young to deriv,
much benefit from my presence,
thought; but, as it was customary il
high families to have the children learr
foreign tongues from the cradle, my
conscience quieted itself.
t. Very little time elapsed before
found myself the friend and confdan
Q of Frau Bremen, housckeeper at tn,
e castle. Among other bits of informa
g ton she told me what rather expect
. ed to hear that Schloss Beroldsteil
% was haunted.
N ''It Is quite the spot for a ghost t
It choose for midnight wanderings,' l re
marked, and though secretly amused a
the old womans credulity, encourag
ed her by my air of deep interest t.
tell me more Of this spectral visitaDt.
8 1t was the well known story of a Ia
dy in white appearing as the silen hel
aid of death in the family. Thre
years before, one dark stormy night
the sentinel at the gates had seen tn
White Lady gliding among the tree
toward the castle, and before mornin
the uncle of the late Duke was stricl
: en- dead with paralysis. Three time
the white apparition was seen durin
the week before his Highness Duk
Albrecht died; and according to Fra
A Brenner, no member of the Won BE
.. oldstein family had ever been gathere
- to his fathers without the assistance {
the White Lady. The mere mentio
of her made every servant in the plat
. shudder, and even the more enlightel
y ed members of the household did n,
- deny her evil influence. In fact, | ha
frequent occasion after this to wond
- at the amount of superstition prev
K lent among even the higher class
this little corner of the world whith'
fate had drifted me.
Some months later / was out in Il
ns park with the two children. 1t W;
midwinter, and there was snow enoug
= for shedding; the children, clothe
from head to foot in soft white fur al
: half buried ir polar bear robe, we
OF enjoying a ride in their swan.shapt
sleigh in white and silver, with an art
of tinkling bells attached before, in Il
Russian fashion.
While footman pushed the dain
= little vehicle l walked on one side tai
= to the children and enjoying their b
byish delight at the glistening fro
and snow.
Roderic was brimming over with Ii
- and excitement, and his restless lit
WI hands, mlttened in fur, clutched at o