Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-12-26

sale OF the castle bring in enough to pay
these debts?n
Before answering that question he
replied, sit will be necessary to examine
your fathers papers. In bis private
drawer, he writes, are certain documents,
which, if you will permit me to look over
them, will enable me to give you positive
The papers were found and DR.. Schroeder,
assisted by Helen, carefully inspected them.
The work was tedious one. for not until
the las. stroke of the midnight hour was
it completed. Helen knew, then, that the
proud castle and fair estate were the prop
erty of the Baron's creditors, and that his
children were homeless and penniless.
Once again the chime of silvery bells
proclaim the advent of the joyous season.
the castle, where the Christmas tree groans
under the burden of gifts. We shall no
longer find Lady Adelaide Ibusy with prep
arations, but the new mistress of the castle,
the wife of its present possessor. She is no
stranger, however, to these halls-they
were her home since childhood's happy
hours. Six months ago Helen Won Gun
tershausen exchanged her titled name for
the simple one of Schroeder, and from that
hour happiness has filled her cup.
When misfortune's wave had overtaken
them, DIR. Schroeder had been a true and
faithful friend. The companions and
friends of the Baron's gay revelries simply
shrugged their shoulders. Pity, to them,
was an unknown quantity. An old Mar
quise, whose dearest with had been the
union Of Helen with her son, in her ex-
treme generosity offered the young girl the
IF ~ 10
Lady Adelaide was indignant. Halen,
nevertheless, announced her intention to
accept some position consistent with her
knowledge of the languages and music.
"But, Helen" cried her aunt, "how can
you, Guntershausen, so demean your
self? Your ancestors will turn in their
graves if you carry out such plans!"
And still l shall do it. think 1t far
more honorable to work for living than
to depend on charity. Thanks to DR..
Schroeder, Hans has obtained free scholar.
ship, and Lord Halsee will give Eugene a
place IN the Cadet Corps. so that, with
moderate earnings, l shall be able TO care
for Emme and Anna"
Child, where do you get your courage"
asked the old lady, deeply touched. ''If
my brother had thought of his children's
future instead Of
bear it. know how wrong it was; but be
is still my father. and every harsh word
against him stsbs me to the heart. I feel
that he has deeply repented leaving US,
and God willing, he will some day return
to u.s."
Lady Adelaide remained silent, and
Helen left the room to join her brothers, to
speak with them OF their prospects. Eu-
gene was overjoyed at the idea of entering
the army, while Hans seemed none the
less pleased to continue his college studies.
The younger girls could, as yet, but family
imagine their future. Emme INDUCED in
gloomy thoughts of questionable dresses,
bare walls and dark, narrow streets; while
Anna was convinced that they must hence
forth live on bread and water-a not very
enticing prospect.
At DR.. Schroder's next visit, Helen told
him of her resolve. He allowed her to
finish, and then said in his quiet way:
Miss Helen, in nay profession I have ac-
quired q habit of coming directly to the
point. Forgive me, then, for saying that,
though you owe your sisters certain duties,
you must not place upon your tender
shoulders the burden of caring for their
existence. Let me aid you in building up
the future with brothers right"
Doctor. / can not accept such a sacri-
fce," cried Helen. you have done so
much for us already, that"
"Helen," he interrupted, his voice deep
with emotion, 1allow me only one ques-
ton. Is your heart still free?"
In confusion she looked at the man
whose habitually calm nature seemed so
deeply stirred. and as his meaning became
clear to her, there dawned in her heart the
feeling that she, too, was not Indifferent to
h nr Erh nlor
gently took her unresisting hands and
asked: do you think should be a dis
agreeable life-companion?" The answer
that he read in her eyes could not have
been unfavorable, for their betrothal was
announced to the family that evening.
Aunt Adelaide was happy in her favorites
joyfulness yet secretly hoped that the
doctor would apply for Q patent of nobility,
now that he was to marry Guntershad-
sen. Eugene and Emme felt that Helen
was forgetting her rank, but the younger
children, who were the doctors stanch
friends, hailed the news with rejoicing.
Dancing gayly around the room, Anna ex.
claimed, "Oh, how nice! Lily Won Hohen-
stein said yesterday that brother.in.law
is SO much nicer than brother, and hers
always brings her chocolate creams"
DR.. Schroeder promised to emulate Lily's
more happy. It was decided to place
Helen's younger sisters in the pensionnat
at the capital. Their vacations were to be
spent with Helen. Hans eagerly begged
permission to spend his at home also, but
Eugene proudly declared that he should
remain in the city with his equals. Helen
and DR.. Schroeder exchanged compassionate
smiles at these words. which would in no
way affect their mutual happiness.
Upon DR.. Schroders return to the city
be Immediately took the steps necessary
for the settlement of the Baron's affairs;
while Lady Adelaide, at home, was busy
with the preparation of Helen's trousseau,
for which her betrothed had literally pro-
vided.
At this time letter from Lord Halsee
Eugene to take vacant posi-
lion in the corps, which had been prom
sed him. The time of engagement few
By on happy wings, and, one bright morn
ing in July, the castle chapel beheld a
merry wedding. After the ceremony DR..
Schroeder preaented his bride with the title
Of the Guntershausen estate, which he had
purchased from the Barons creditors.
Helen's Joy knew no bounds. Often had
she feared that her dear old home and the
home of her forefathers might pass into
stranger hands. The tender love and
of her husband had spared
her the pain of leaving it; so, in the days
that followed, there was nothing to mar the
peaceful joy of these united hearts. Some
times, however, the thought of her father
would come to Helen; she would lovingly
yearn for his return, and grieve that no
Iidings had as yet come from him. At
these times her husbands devotion and
words succeeded in bringing
to her heart ray of hope that her father
would yet return to his family.
III.
The Christmas season found the sisters
and brothers united once more. Even
Eugene, who had intended to remain with
his sristocratic friends, and had found that
q comparison between them and his brother
in.law resulted decidedly in favor of the
latter, had humblv asked to spend his hol-
idays in the family circle.
Aunt Adelaide, who had entered an Old
Ladies' Home, had also arrived at the
castle; and now, on the afternoon of the