The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-12-17
THOLLIN'S PHANTOM.
The Illusion Was Dispelled and
Happiness Wrecked.

me Illusion was Dl6pell0d and
Happiness Wrecked.
Illusion is thu mother Of happiness.
and none can affirm the contrary. for
without illusion what would life be?
And what would have been Richard
Thollin's marriage? 1t simply would
not have been. that is evident
Richard Thollin was thirty. tall.
dark, with sharp, bright eyes and a
long, silky mustache. lie was chief of
an important department ut the
Louvre. enjoyed a good salary and =
fair percentage on silks and shawls
So well to do was he. in fact. that he
could well afford few luxnries. and
after mature reflection he resolved to
lay his heart and riches at the feet Of
Mile. Stephania Marchet. the daughter
Of small merchant. an enthusiast in
music and pupil ut the conservatory
She possessed no dowry. but she was
SO graceful. SO exquisite. aud Richard
was so full of courage.
1t was beautiful June evening. and
they had passed through all the phases
of q delightful honeymoon. when Rich
ard suddenly broached proposition to
his radiant spouse.
my dear Stephania. he said. ten
derby. Il have reserved the best for
the last. wanted to give You d little
surprise, and here it is. Now. what
would please you mos;-a two weeks
trip on the Rhine or beautiful cash
mere shawl to protect you pretty little
shoulders from fog and rain?'
As became an enthusiast in music,
Stephania affected dreamy pose and
replied:
MY love. prefer the trip to the
Rhine; to that classic land Of music, of
my sacred art. 1t seems to me that l
am already there and that the divine
melodies of Mozart, Schubert AMI Bee
thoven arc ringing in my ears" And
lowering her voice, she whispered:
LET us 60 there; the cashmere shawl
will come later
And SO the voyage was decided. The
vessel that carried NJ. and Mime. Thol-
lin glided gayly along the Rhine, MAX
ing frequent stops on those enchanting
shores, where the happy couple unused
and dreamed, charmed by the coquet-
fish villages and the green whey ards
that nestled at the foot of the hills on
which lowered old bnrgs. picturesque
ruins of ancient feudal manors.
While ashore at Steinburck fright
full storm overlook them. They found
it impossible to reach the boat in time
and were forced to take refuge in the
only inn of the place. an old tu.nbled-
down building standing at the foot of
q rugged mountain crowned by the
ruins of an old castle,
The rooms were modest and the fare
meager, consisting principally of NUT
ton stew and beans-more beans than
mutton. but such delicious white
wine sparklcd in the glasses that they
almost forgot the rest. In war we do
Is warriors do: good conscience pro-
notes gayety. especially when stimulat-
ed by q little white wine: and white
wine, we must admit, was Richard
Thollin's weak point
The storm continued to rage without,
and they perforce resigned themselves
TO an evening at the inn
'Lome, meister," said Richard. as
they sat together in the large room
after supper, I'VE are in the heart OF
the land of legends. Like all your
countrymen, you must be well versed
in such lore, and, though not on the
bill of fare, hope you will serve one
for dessert"
''Ah. my dear monsieur" protested
81 r..
such things when the thunder is
rumbling over our heads; it will bring
i'll luck"
go on, anyway; we don't mind the
thunder"
''Well, monsieur, you see that old
castle towering above US over there
it is haunted by y specter, and that is
why it is deserted.
but who is this specter?"
I'm his day he was powerful lord
and = great brigand. lie was harsh to
his vassals, robbed travellers and buried
his money and stolen goods in some
cave known to him only. During a
great storm he died suddenly and had
no time to disclose the place Of con-
cealment in which he had chosen to
bury his treasures And since that
time, whenever there is a storm. fright
full cries are heard from the ruins. II
is the soul of the accursed lord, con-
demned to wander there until some
good Christian finds the treasure and
distributes it to the poor"
bah! What q farce! sneered Rich
ard. II must go and see the place, and
Il / find the famous treasure-well,
ron shall have your cashmere shawl,
my Stephania
my dear. you are. ridiculous with
your legends" replied his wife. "They
make me yawn; am going to bed"
It was midnight, the fantastic hour.
Richard Thollin was toiling up the mar
row, rocky path that led to the ruins
Of the old castle. He was no coward
and was determined to search the old
burg in the hope Of meeting the phan-
tom and finding out where the treas.
ure was concealed.
As he entered the somber archway
there suddenly arose before him a tall,
white figure, luminous and moving,
with the light and shadowy movemen,
Of the specter.
$50 you have come ut last, Thollin, Vi
said deep. sepulchral voice. II have
long expected you. Blessed are you.
courageous mortal, who came to de.