The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-07-14


embroidered with gold. linen with a
childish air OF disappointment she
added: 53 H.s8
DO you recollect the blue ribbon /
wore to-day on the hunting expedi-
ton, and which you said was the en-
blem Of your soul on account Of its
color?''
Yes, I do.
We'll, have lost it. have lost
it, and ] wanted to give it to you as a
souvenir -
Where was it lost?' inquired
Alfonso, raising himself in his seat
with an indescrlbable expression Of
mingled fear and hope. ..5
Il do not know, perhaps on the
mountain"
'On the Spirits mountain?" he
murmured. turning pale and throwing
himself back in his chair on the
Spirits mountain!" Then he went on
in harsh trembling tone: You
know, for you have heard everybody
say so times without number. that
am called the king of huntsmen
throughout CASTLE. AS have not
yet been able to try my strength in
battle as my ancestors have done I
have exerted, in that pastime Of war
like sport all the hereditary ardor
OF my race and all the strength of
which am possessed The mat UNI
der your feet is the skin of wild
animal l slew with my own hands
know It's haunts and its habits,
have fought against them day and
night. on foot and on horseback.
alone and together with other hunts
men. and nobody can say that ever
shrank from danger at any time. On
any other night l would fly to bring
you that ribbon and would do so JOY
fully; but tonight yes. to-night-why
! should l hide it from you'll am
afraid. q Do you not hear the bells
tolling? The hour for evening prayer
has struck at San Juan del Duero; the
ghosts begin to emerge from their
graves curdling the blood of any one
who beholds them turning his HAIR
gray. or dragging him off in the
whirl of their fantastic dance, as a
leaf is swept along by the breeze"
An almost imperceptible smile
CURED Beatriz's lips while the young
man was talking. and she exclaimed
in an Indifferent tone after he ceased.
meanwhile stirring the fire so that the
bright sparks flew out; T..
oh no. indeed How silly! Don't
think OF going to the mountain now
after suck a trife. On such a dark
night, too. when the ghosts are
abroad and the road is full of wolves!"
AS she spoke these last words she
emphasized them so that Alfonso could
not fail to understand her bitter irony.
AS though mechanically. he arose,
passed his hand over his forehead as
though to dispel the fear he felt men
tally. but not in his heart and in a
firm tone he said, addressing the
beautiful girl who was amusing her.
self by stirring the fire on the hearth:
Farewell. Beatriz, farewell! If
return. it will be soon."
Alfonso, Alfonso, !" she said. turning
around rapidly; but when she de-
sired to detain him, or appeared to do
SO. the young man had already dis
appeared.
| Soon after, the sound of his hor e S
hoofs was heard as he galloped off,
The proud beauty with radiant
look of gratifed vanity lighting up
her face, listened attentlvely to the
! sound until it died away, though the
church bells kept on their lugubrious
tolling. q. "
An hour two and three, elapsed,
and midnight struck as Beatriz retired
to her oratory, but Alonzo had not re-
turned yet though he had had plenty
OF time TO go and come back, j., 49,
Perhaps he was afraid" the young
girl exclaimed. closing her PRAYER
book. after vainly attempting to muir
muir some Of the prayers the church
dedicates to All Souls day. for the
spirits of those that have passed away.
After putting out the lamp and
drawing the silk curtains around her
bed. she fell asleep. But her sleep
was restless aud uneasy -a+ -
The postcrn clock struck twelve,
and Beatriz could hear it's slow,
sad strokes. and half opened her eyes.
She thought that she had heard some
one call her at the same time, in a
FONT suffering accent The wind
still moaned and shook the easement.
Beatriz tremblingly thrust her head
out OF the curtains and listened for a
moment. She could hear many
strange sounds but passing her hand
over her brow, she listened again,
but all was now still and quiet.
Her pupils were dilated and she
seemed to see shapes moving around
all over the room; but as she fixed her
eyes more closely. she perceived that
the darkness was impenetrable and it
was due to her Imagination.
Bah " she said. resting her lovely
head again on the pillow. .'can l be
as tlmid as those poor souls whose
hearts beat with terror under their
armor on hearing some ghost story?"
So closing her eyes. she tried to 20
to Sleep but in vain did she endeayor
to calm herself. She again started
up. pale uneasy and more terrified
than ever.
/ This time it was no illusion, the
brocade portieres over the door had
rustled us they were pushed aside. and