Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-05-06
PUNISHED.

The lake Of Kirknitz. or OF Lamenta
tron, is situated In Carniola. Austria
There is not much beauty In Ia
scenery. but II has the popularity of a,
one time being sheet Of water and q,
another n field.
The limestone. Of which the bed oi
this curious lake Ia formed. is perfo
ated with assures. some OF them IA deer
as fifty feet. inte which trunks Of trees
and fishermen's boats have Mt times beer
drawn.
Many years ago q maiden who lived
near Lake Kirknitz. poor as q church
mouse. but proud as n queen, refused all
lovers who sought her hand or com.
panionship.
Lovers. poor. but honorable, sought
her far and near, but she dismissed them
with frown and toss of the head, bid.
ding them seek wives elsewhere
She had one day met the lord of a
neighboring castle while out hunting,
and the young and handsome noble had
accosted her while she stood on the bank
Of the lake, and in few well chosen
words had fattered her beauty and
vanity.
From that moment she had resolved
10 become the mistress of the castle and
look down with disdain upon her former
companions.
She soon saw that the first impression
she had made upon him was but an eva
nescent one. and anger and jealousy now
mingled with the love with which his
handsome form and gentle speech had
imbued her.
One day she met him and his servants
upon the spot of their first meeting
Hilda. for such was the name Of the
girl. flung herself In his path, and with
smile on her face and longing look in
her eyes babe him good morrow
The young lord. who was neither so
sober nor in 80 good temper as when
he had before accosted her. ordered her
out of his path,
crush the hopes Of the aspiring peasant
girl. bnt the loud laughter and insulting
jeers of the companions and attendants
Of the young lord infuriated her. and
shaking her clinched hand at the noble
she cried:
my time will come!"
The others laughed in mingled amuse-
ment and derision.
''How say you. Carl?" asked one SIS
the peasant wench mad or have you
given her cause to fancy that one day
she might be the recipient Of your
favors"
81 was foolish enough once to notice
her, believe, but what is she to me
more than the rest OF the horde who till
the fields2 BY my soul, Herbert, it were
folly for noble to look kindly on these
low bred kinds, for if you do 80 they
take it for granted that you intend some
favor to them. and persistently dog your
footsteps"
"Then you have met before"
MANY times but ! never spoke to the
girl but once. fVwas b fo0iiBh thing to
do, but confess that was 80 struck
with her beauty | could not resist the
temptation to address few words to
her,"
And on this concession she has pre-
sumedY"
"Yes. Go forth when will she
throws herself in my path"
''She should prove an easy conquest.
them" laughed Herbert.
Il never thought of that" said Carl,
stroking his mustache.
'She filings herself at your feet"
"Granted; butt"
"But what, Carl2"
"Such conduct only excites my pity.
II not my disgust"
His friend laughed.
Herbert" said Carl you are
"Your friend" interrupted the other.
Say rather my tempter. You put
thoughts into my head that never before
entered there"
His friend laughed again.
"Well. well, if you love the girl"-
Nonsense, Herbert: you know that
am affianced to the Lady Gertrude.
How then can love lowly born maid
enr'
Herbert shrugged his shoulders.
LET US on" said Carl shortly. "The
midday meal awaits, and we shall be
late IL we hurry not back to the CASTLE"
They hastened on, and as they did so
figure rose on the edge Of the lake and
gazed after them.
It was strange being. half fisherman,
half hunter in attire. He was tall Of
stature and strong of limb.
"VirtV. villainy and ambition have
stood today on the borders Of my realm"
he said, land from my cave in the lakes
bed have seen and heard all.
"Ho. ho there are fresh victims for
the Cave King to lure to his caverns un-
der the rolling food, but one must escape
me, for have no power over fir1nness
and honor"
And diving into the Lake he disap,
peared.
Night had come. Carl had sunk TO
sleep ON couch In the hall Of his castle
and his friend Herbert, heated with
wine and troubled with thoughts Of the
lovely peasant girl, had strolled ON to
the ramparts, where the moonlight
showed the lake beneath him like silver
Suddenly figure stood before him,
and the young man. with his hand upon
his sword. started back.