, 1888-03-25

armed men in the feudal days, whose
portcullis raised only to admit friends or
to send out the legions that followed the
barons. There was a moat, dry now,
but formidable to an invader, watch
towers, battlements, armed turrets and
an enormous iron cage suspended from
the wall, the only evidence of the awful
punishment dealt to one who would be-
tray the place to an enemy, and whose
skeleton long since had crumbled into
dust and become a plaything of the wind
as it swept through the iron bars of the
great box.
Our viererzug (four-in-hand) rolled
over the drawbridge, and as we drew up
in the courtyard we were confronted by
n tall halberdier, who, grim and speech
less, stood, spear in hand, symbol of
haronial protection. We asked the man
whether the baron was at home, but he
gave us to understand by signs that he
was both deaf and dumb. Another at
tendant appeared almost instantly, and,
informing Us hat his master was within,
begged us to follow him to the reception
room.
The door through which we entered
was crowned with a gold crest, the bear
ing of the Von Boroths.
Carl greeted us with the warmest
effusion, and everything and everybody
in the castle was at our disposal. Bottles
of the choicest Badacsonyer, Ermellek
and O~edenburg were opened for us, and
our elaborate luncheon was concluded
with a quart of most delicious Tokay,
dating from the days of Maria Theresa.
1t was, indeed, a royal reception and a
princely entertainment. We were favored
and feted for the several hours of our
stay; the baron showed the greatest
Difference to our every expression; we
We're escorted through the spacious halls
and chambers of the castle, and tOs us
were opened the vaults of the treasure
house, where the family jewels and the
family plate were securely guarded. And
thus we exhausted the day until well into
the afternoon, when, ordering our car
riage despite the protests of Carl, who
yainly urged my uncle to rest at the
castle for the night, we drove back into
Kassa.
My uncle was buoyant and CHEEKY upon
our return trip, satisfied that his pros
pcctive son-in-law was in every way de-
sirable.
Three weeks following our visit to the
Castle Boroth Carl and Emma were mar
ried, and returned to my literary labors
in Vienna.
= - =
The year was a busy one with me, and
the days and weeks sped so rapidly into
months that l was unconscious of the
flight of time until the season for my
annual outing came around, and, by a
combination of circumstances entirely
beyond my adjustment or control, l
found myself again in Kassa with some
of the most agreeable companions 1 ever
Travelled. Being so near my cousin it
was natural that | should call and see
her, so turning my horses in the direc-
ton of Won Boroth's ancestral seat, l re-
traversed the road my uncle and myself
had learned n twelve months before.
There was no change, the landmarks
were as remembered them, the ground
lacked cultivation, the same neglect aD-
peared about everything, and when we
caught a glimpse of the castle it bore the
same aspect as before. We were received
by the mute guard, whom l passed, and
went directly TO the door, where a servant
intercepted me-.
as the baron at homer" l asked.
"He is, madam" was the reply.
Il will see him"
''Impossible, madam"
"1mpOssiblel And why impossible?"
THE baron has not come from his
breakfast yet"
What, at this hour!"
'Well, you see, madam, when people
are just married they like to take their
time, not be disturbed"
YES, but that can't affect the baron.
He was married twelve months ago."
At this the attendant smiled, though
by no means in a disrespectful manner.
In n moment he controlled himself, and
said:
mot twelve months, madam. 1t is
now but four days. Sunday they were
welded, now it is Wednesday,
Possibly you nave misunderstood me.
1t is Baron Boroth l wish to see" / some
what petulantly exclaimed.
My master, of course" the servant
made answer.
You must be crazy, then. Take this
card to him. l guess he viii see me-"
l pushed past the man, and while he
disappeared around a corner in the hall l
entered the reception room.
l had just seated myself when the
Portiere separating the apartment from
the next was thrown aside, and a gentle
man of some % years stood before me.
VIVA Sdi L w iOI gOu4 ne UohGu.
81 want to see the baron"
Il am the baron"
'But l mean the Baron Boroth."
That's me.n
Impossible. You are not the Baron
Boroth who married my cousin"
81 don't know who you mean. What
is your name2'
l handed him my card, which he pc
rused at a glance, and, casting it upon the
table, came toward me, both hands ex-
tended, and, in the heartiest manner, he
called me Irma, my first name, adj
dressed me as his cousin, and ushered
me, with every expression of pleasure,
into the dining hall, where at a table sat
three ladies, one young and beautiful, the
other wv older and exceedingly dignifed.
The baron introduced me to the young
lady as his bride, and the elders were his
mother-in-law and aunt. They pressed
me to join their meal, and l enjoyed my
breakfast greatly. But every time l re-
ferred to Baron Carl the conversation was
adrOitly turned toward another snbipct.