The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-07-02

next day the snow exhibits the foot
prints OF the skeletons heshless feet.
therefore it is called the Spirits
mountain and it being All Saints day
wish to leave them in full possession
OF their hunting grounds"
AT the conclusion of the tale, after
passing the mountain and crossing a,
bridge spanning struggling stream,
ehey neared q gloomy and, somber
chapel As they approached they
neard an organ play the rolling, muf-
ned music OF the funeral service. No
one could be less superstitious than
lnez Comlers, but as she listened to
the rolling as of mufied drums a
shudder stole over her. 'If I believed
IN evil omens should certainly say
this is one" she thought, Struggling
her shoulders.
Bernino also grew suddenly silent,
and only a few words were exchanged
| between the cousins during the re-
malnder OF their journey, which led
through green fields and in drives
once beautiful, but now grown with
| weeds and SO arched with trees they
| looked dim and cavernous in the
| dusk.
#
A few hours later the entire house
mold OF the count of Comiers was
gathered about the huge fireplace, re-
latlng, as was the custom on All
SAINTS night, horrible tales and le-
ge9nds, wherein ghosts and COLLINS
played the chief part, while, far away
IN the distance, was heard the dreary,
mon otonous ringing of the church
bells. -
There were two persons who did not
participate in the general conversa-
ton. These were Inez Comiers, who
was gazing thoughtfully into the fire,
and Bernino. who was watching the
reflection OF the light in her beautiful
dark eyes.
"My beautiful cousin,'' he suddenly
exclaimed, breaking the long silence,
1--WE will soon part, perhaps forever.
know that those lonely districts with
their rough, warlike habits, and their
SIMPLE, old customs, do not please
you. have often heard you sigh,
perhaps at the thought of lover in q
foreign land"
lnez made q movement of cold in
difference, while her lips curled scorn-
fully. A whole character could be
traced in those lines.
Perhaps you miss the gay life YOU
have heretofore led" the young man
FASTENED to add. ''The cause NAV be
one Or the other. I fear shall soon
lose you. Before we part 1 wish YOU
would accept this jeweled diadem
from me as a memento. How lovely
would it adorn your dark hair. To-
accept this?"
lnez bit her lip and silently reached
out her hand to take the proffered
gilt. The pair became silent, and
again were heard the voices relating
weird tales of witches and spirits, the
winds bowling and the church bells
slow ringing.
After pause of several minutes the
conversation was continued.
.tAnd before All Saints day is past
will younot also give me some souvenir
OF YOURSELF Bernino asked, earnestly
searching his cousins countenance.
This suddenly lit up with strange
light? ~
"Why not" she cried, and passing
her hand to her right shoulder, she
seemed in search OF something. and
adding with an air OF childish feeling:
t1Do you remember that ieweled but
tert1y [ wore today"
EYES, certainly.'' ~.
1'Well-but have lost it it isgone,
and l thought to give it to you as a
memento." ~. .~..
"You have lost it, and where?"
asked Bernino, springingup with hope
and fear blended in his countenance.
II do not know-perhaps upon the
Spirits mountain" .4=
81 Upon the Spirits mountain he
nuttered, paling and sinking back In
his chair. Upon the Spirits mount
ain"
He then continued i'm a. low broken
voice: -st.: ....
"You know, for you have certainly
heard it innulnerable times, that am
called the king OF hunters AS I have
not had the opportunity, like my an
cesters, OF earning an lmperishable'
name upon the battlefield have turn
ed my attention toward the hunt, a.
small likeness OF the BATTLE. TO THAT
have given the strength of nayyotlth,
all the courage and fearlessness OF my
race. The rug at your feet was the.
covering of wild animals Slain by my
hand. I know their haunts, and hab-
it's. I have fought with them by day
and by night, ON foot and mounted,
alone and with companions, and mo
one can say that have ever. Stunned
danger. Another night and would
speed away to find this trinket with a
light heart; but this night-this night
why should / seek to hide it ANN
afraid. Harkr, The bells sound 1t
has now rung to prayer The spirits
of the mountain are now lifting their
yellow death skulls from their graves
the spirits-the sight OF which carts~
es the blood OF the brayest to freezein
his VEINS, and turn his hair white, if
they do not tear him in the whirl OF
their wild flight, as a leaf is dragged by
the wind, without knowing where
AS the young man spoke q smile
lowered upon Inez's lips, and when
hehad finished she remarkedin acare-
less tone:
20, pray you do not think OF it.
What foolishness to go to the noun
| 4 e L = .