St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-10
THE HEIR OE BEROLDSTEIN.

Nv father had been clergyman In the
quiet little English parish where l was
born, and l. his only child, had reaped the
benefit of a careful education, which he had
given me during his spare hours. When. a
little after my twentieth birthday, my
father died, leaving his untamished name
as sole Inheritance for my mother and my
self, / began 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 relatives,
but they were too much occupied with the
responsibilities 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 me at last the happiness of my life.
In Southern Prussia, in the Duchy of
Beroldstein, the position of nursery gov
ernneSs TO two children was vacant-a most
desirable place, the children being the in
FAINT son and daughter of the late Duke of
BerOldstein. who had died only six months
before. Thanks to my uncle l was the
chosen applicant for this position. l felt
fairly confident with respect to my pro-
1iciency, 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-
glSh tongue correctly, but L confess that
felt very dOwn-hearted as | went on board
the boat that was to take me to an un-
known 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.
l smiled through my tears. for the tall,
E..II
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 whis-
pered, keep good heart, Alice. my darl
ing-we shall meet again when prospects
are brighter" l felt more hopeful than /
had for months before, for his words
seemed to contain in them a certainty of
fulfillment.
Charlie Kent and l had been lovers
almost from babyhood; and now that child
hood had long since passed, l 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 BerOldstein proved to be very
stately old mansion. a trifle repellant in its
air of antiquity and isolation from the rest
of the world. A park extending many
miles lay before the castle. and from nv
windows at the back had a 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 repair,
and an air of neglect pervaded the avenue
and 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 charming
a twin brother and sister, and the only sur
viving children OF the family.
Roderic, the young heir to the dukedom,
was truly beautiful child, rosy and cherub-
like, with promise of intelligence in his
face which well befitted the high rank to
which he was born. Amalie, the little girl,
was quieter, softer copy of her brother,
and already the pair were devotedly at
tached to each other.
The children were rather more than
year old when | arrived at Beroldstein-
certainly too young to derive much benefit
from my presence, thought, but, as it was
customary in high families to have the
children learn foreign tongues from the
cradle, my conscience quieted itself.
Very little time elapsed before l found
myself the friend and confidant of Frau
Bremen, housekeeper at the castle. Among
other bits of information she told me what
l rather expected to hear, that SchlosS Be-
roldstein was haunted.
at is quite the spot for a ghost to choose
for midnight wanderings," l remarked, and
though secretly amused by the old woman's
credulity, encouraged her by my air of
deep interest to tell me more of this spec
trail visitant
1t was the well-known story of lady in
white appearing as the silent herald of a
death in the family. Three years before,
one dark stormy night. the sentinel at the
gates had seen the white lady gliding among
the trees toward the castle, and before
morning the uncle of the late duke was
stricken dead with paralysis. Three times
the white apparition was seen during the
week before his highness Duke Albrecht
died: and, according to Frau Bremen,
no member Of the Won BeroldStein family
had ever been gathered to his fathers with
out the assistance of the White Lady. The
mere mention of her name made every SER
want in the place shudder. and even the
more enlightened members of the household
did not deny her evil influence. In fact, /
had frequent occasion after this to wonder
at the amount OF superstition prevalent
among even the higher class in this little
corner of the world whittier fate had
drifted me.
Some months later l was out in the park
with the two children. 1t was midwinter.
and there was snow enough for sleghing:
the children, clothed from head to foot in
soft white fur and half buried in polar
bear robe. were enjoying a 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
children and enjoying their babyish delight
at the glistening frost and snow.
ROderic was brimming over with life and
excitement. and his restless little hands.
mittened in fur, clutched at every low
hanging icicle and glittering twig, thereby
letting in much of the cold breath of winter
on his more composed sister. AS we went
brskly down the avenue a lady richly
dressed in black velvet and sable met and
stopped our little cavalcade. l wondered
who this grande dame could be who pre-
ferred lonely walk in the deserted avenues
to drive in a luxurious carriage with good
company
Il must pay my respects to the young
duke" she said pleasantly.
She took little Roderic's 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 awak-
ened in the face of woman. Her look
was more as if she bore the innocent little
fellow malice. and when he pointed with