Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-04-03

more freely.
mo doubt Of it." said I; "but perhaps
you might run away before you finished
your story. wouldn't have that hap
pen for the world"
s'Don't make fun of him." said Aunt
Martha. 81 was going to ask you to
cut him loose, but after what you say |
think it would perhaps be just as well
to keep them all tied until the nara
tives are completed.
With a sigh of resignation the young
man began his story.
81 am American born, but my father,
who was a civil engineer and OF high
rank in his profession, was obliged,
when 1 was quite a small boy, to go to
Austria, where we had extensive con-
tracts for the building of railroads. In
that country spent the greater part OF
my boyhood and youth. There | was
educated in the best schools, my father
sparing no money to have me taught
every thing that gentleman should
know. My mother died when | was a
mere infant, and as my fathers vocation
made 1t necessary for him to travel
great deal, my life was often lonely
one. For society l depended entirely
upon my fellow scholars, my tutors and
masters 1t was my fathers intention,
however, that when l had finished my
studies should go to one of the great
European capitals, there to mix with
the world.
''But when this period arrived | was
in no haste to avail myself of the adj
vantages he offered me. My tastes were
studious, my disposition contemplative,
and | was lover of rural life.
"My father had leased an old castle
in Corinthia, not far from the mount
aims; and here he kept his books and
charts, and here came for recreation
and study whenever his arduous duties
gave him little breathing spell. For
several months / had lived at this
castle, happy when my father was with
me and happy when / was alone. | ex-
pected soon to go to Vienna, where my
father would introduce me to some of
his influential friends. But day by day
/ postponed the journey.
"Walking one morning few miles
from the castle / saw at the edge of
piece of woodland female figure seated
beneath tree. Approaching nearer,
perceived that she was young, and that
she was sketching. was surprised,
for knew that in this part of the world
young women, at least those OF the
upper classes, to which the costume
and tastes OF this one showed her TO be-
ong, were not allowed to wander about
the country by themselves; but although
| stood still and watched the young
lady for some time, no companion APP
peared upon the scene.
''The path i had intended to take led
past the piece Of woodland and saw no
reason why / should diverge from my
proposed course. l accordingly pro-
ceeded and when i reached the young
lady bowed and raised my hat. / think
that for some time she had perceived
my approach, and she looked up at me
with face that was half merry, half in
quisitive and perfectly charming. can
not describe the effect which her express
sion had upon me. had never seen her
before, but her look was not such one
as she would bestow upon stranger. |
had the most powerful desire to stop and
speak to her, but having no right TO do
so I should have passed on had she not
said to me in the best OF English: Good
morning, sir Then stopped, you may
be sure. / was so accustomed to speak
to those 1 met in either French or Ger
man that l involuntarily said TO her;
Bon jour, Mademoiselle.' You need not
speak French, she said; 4 am neither
English nor American, but speak their
language. Are you the gentleman who
lives in Wulrick Castle? If so, we are
neighbors, and wish you would tell me
why you live there nearly all the time
alone
cat this l sat down by her. 4 am
that person. / said, and handed her my
card But before say any more, please
tell me who you are 4 am Marie
Dorfler. My fathers house is on the
other side of this piece of woodland;
you can not see it from here; this is
part of his estate. And now tell me
why you live all by yourself in that old
ruin 1T is not altogether ruin |
answered; part of it is in very good
condition. And then 1 proceeded to
give her an account of my method Of
life and my reasons for it. 1T Is inter-
esting,' she said, but it is very odd 4