Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-01
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tage of their contest to follow the bent of
her own taste, and fortunately it was a
good one. She looked lovely as youthful
bridegroom could desire; and the futter
of expectation heightened the lustre of her
charms.
The suffusions that mantled her face and
neck, the gentle heaving of the bosom,
the eve now and then lost in reverie, all
betrayed the soft tumult that was going on
in her little heart. The aunts were con.
tinually lowering around her Qor maiden
ants are apt to take great interest in affairs
of this nature) they were giving her a
world of staid counsel how to deport her
self. what to say, and in what manner to
receive the expected lover.
The Baron was no less busted in prepa.
lions. He had, in truth, nothing exactly
to do; but he was naturally a Tuning,
bustling little man, and could not remain
passive when all the world was in hur-
~. He worried from top to bottom OF
the castle, with an air of infinite anxiety
he continually called the servants from
their work to exort them to be dilligent,
and buzzed about every hall and chamber
as idly restless and importuaate as blue
bottle fly of a warm summers dav.
In the meantime the fatted calf had
been killed; the forests had rung with the
clamor of the huntsmen; the kitchen was
crowded with good cheer; the cellars had
Welded up whole oceans of Rheinwein
and Ferue-wein, and even the great
Heidelberg tun had been laid under con-
tribution. Everything was ready to re-
ceive the distinguished guest with Saus
. n tr,, Wiz Of
hospitality-but the guest delayed to make
his appearance.
Hour rolled after hour. The sun that
had poured his downward RAYS upon the
rich forests Of the Odenwald, now Just
cleaned along the SUBMITS of the noun
tains. The Baron mounted the highest
tower, and strained his eyes in hopes of
catching distant sight of the Count and
his attendants. Once he thought he be-
held them; the sound of horns came float
ing from the valley, prolonged by
the mountain echoes; number of
the horsemen were seen far be-
low slowly advancing along the road; but
when they had nearly reached the foot OF
the mountain, they suddenly struck off in
different direction. The last ray of sun
shine departed-the bats began to fit by in
the twilight-the road grew DINNER and
DINNER to the view; and nothing appeared
stirring in it but now and then a peasant
tagging homeward from his labor.
While the old castle of Landshort was
in this state Of perplexitv, very interest
ing scene was transactng in different
part of the Odenwald.
The young Count Won Altenburg was
TRANQUILITY pursuing his route in that sober
jog trot way in which a man travels toward
matrimonv when his friends have taken
all the trouble and uncertainty of court
ship off his hands, and a,bride is waiting
for him as certainly as a dinner, at the
end of his journey. He had encountered
at Wurtzburg youthful companion in
arms. and with whom he had seen some
service on the frontiers, Herman Won Star
kentaust. one of the stoutest hands and
worthest hearts of German chivalry, who
was now returning from the army His
fathers castle was not far distant from
the old fortress of Landshort. although a
hereditary feud rendered the families hos
tile and strangers TO each other.
In the warm-hearted moment of recop-
milton the young friends related all their
past adventures and fortunes, and the
Count gave the whole history of his in =.
tended nuptials with a young LADY whom
he had never seen. but of whose charms
he had received the most enrapturing dis
criptions,