Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-08-01

numerous SUITE, QesceuQeu AloA III
manor.
The same day, at the same hour, the
Sire de Rauheneck descended in llkt
state from his fortress, SO that the two
adversaries met on neutral ground.
Each on p~erceiving the other had {
smile on his lips as he courteously
raised his plumed cap and uncovered
his gray head.
During this time the followers, who
had often had the pleasure of exchang
ing blows and sword thrusts, trembled
with indignation to find themselves
reduced to crossing nothing but furious
glances.
Two squires aided their lords to dis.
mount. The rivals stepped forward
few PAGES, and-oh, marvel! each held
out a friendly hand to his sworn foe.
Rauhenstein's soldiers were raging.
| They had heard from the house serv.
ants that their master had passed the
whole night without sleep, striding up
and down in his apartment, talking to
himself and pronouncing the name of
Rauheneck with fury. Consequently
all these brave fellows expected a new
outbreak Of hostilities. and were looking
forward to the fray. 1t was rather too
Disappointing to have the expedition
end in a hand-clasp! The old count
must have lost his senses!
Thoughts as war-like had been agi-
tating the men-at-arms of R%auheneck.
Their master had also passed a sleep
less night, and they were all eager to
besiege R%auhenstein.
The enemies stood facing each other.
Evidently they had something to say;
but each besitatcd to begin.
At last Rauhenstein made q sign to
his chaplain, and, after making many
salutations, this reverend parsonage
spoke:
Very high and redoubtable seig-
NOR" he said; "the very high and re-
doubtable Seignior, my lord. has
thought that a feud of twenty years has
lasted long enough, and
But the chaplain OF Rauheneck, to
whom his lord had also made a sign,
was saying the same thing at the same
time-it a. a solo Of two voices-"that
Il feud of twenty years has lasted long
enough, and that the fires of discord
to be e.,tinguished and be buried
under the ashes of forgetfulness. The
occasion seems to him favorable"
Here came a divergence in the duet.
One said: "The son of Monseigneur
loves your daughter" The other:
The daughter of Monseigneur is be-
loved by your son." Then the unison
resumed: "Their wedding would end
all strife"
Very high and powerful Seignior,"
said both counts at once, you have
forestalled my dearest wish!"
Upon this they again grasped hands,
and so the marriage of Hermann and
Lithinia was decided.
The first bounded for JOY on hearing
this happy result of his walks, and
threw his books out of the window, de-
that it would be absurd for a
manageable chevalier to continue his
Lithinia also threw her tapestry into
a corner and began to embroider a scarf
for her betrothed with the golden
threads of her hair.
The wedding day arrived.
Llthinia was charming; Hermann was
radiant.
For some reasons known to themselves
alone the two fathers had decided that
the festivities should not take place in
either castle, and an obliging neighbor
had put his manor at their disposal.
There all the bridal train met, and the
rejoicings that followed the ceremony
were prolonged till midnight struck.
Come hither, my son." then said the
Sire de Rauhenstein, "at this solemn
moment [ have some words to say"
And he drew the youth into a recess
Come hither, my daughter, said De
"come to receive my
blessing" And he drew her into an
other recess.
Hermann, you are too truly my son
not to have guessed my projects. This
pretended reconciliation, this marriage.
are the prelude to my vengeance. Take
this poniard and tomorrow let Rauhen-
eek lament for his daughter!"
Take this dagger, and tomorrow let
Rauhenstein mourn for his son!" was
the end Of Rauheneck's discourse.
Children III those days we're very re-
spectful. Hermann and Lithinia bent
submissive heads without daring to
utter the ~faintest protest.
The two fathers went back to the
banqueting-hall.
On the morrow a bountiful breakfast
brought the feasters again to the board.
Suddenly Rauhenstein glared at his
rival and exclaimed: "My vengeance is
accomplished"
And mine!" returned the other.
1T is time for an explanation" said
Rauhenstein with a cruel smile. DO
you know that your daughter is dead?"
What do you mean, old mailman?
1t is your son who is no more!"
That is not true!"
"Ha! you insult me, do YOU? Then
there!" And he threw the contents of
his cup in his a~dversary's face.
Rauhenstein replied in like fashion,
only the cup followed the contents, and
dashing against a bracket adorned with
costly porcelain, sent the whole collec-
ton in fragments to the floor.
The master of ceremonies, ANNOYED
at this destruction Of his china, inter
tered sharply. The guests took sides,
some for one. some for the other, and a