St. Paul daily globe., 1893-01-28
PUNISHED.

cry. but it has the popularity of at one
time being a sheet of water and at
another field.
The limestone, of which the bed of
this curious lake is formed, is perforated
with fissureS, some of them as deep as
fifty feet, into which trunks of trees
and fishermen'S boats have at times
been drawn.
Many years ago maiden who lived
near Lake KirknitZ. poor as church
mouse, but proud as a queen, refused
all lovers who sought her hand or coil-
paniOnSnlp.
Lovers, poor but honorable, sought
her far and near, but she dismissed
them with a froWn and a toss OF her
head. bidding them seek wives else
where.
She had one day met the lord of
neighbOring castle while out hunting.
and the young and handsome noble had
accosted her while she stood on the
lake. and. in few we'll chosen words,
had flatttred her beauty and vanity.
From that moment she had resolved
to 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
a smile on her face and longing look
IN her eyes bade him good morrow.
The young lord, who was neither so
sober nor in so good temper as Wnen
he had before accosted her, ordered her
out of his path.
His words and tones were enough to
crush the hopes of the aspiring peasant
girl. but the loud laughter and insulting
ieers of the companions and attendants
of the Young lord infuriated her. and
shaking her clencheG hand at the noble
she cried:
"My time will come"
The Others laughed in mingled
amusement and derision.
"How yyou, Carl?" asked one. "ls
the peasant wench mad or have you
given her cause to fancy that one ay
She might be the recipient OF yo ur
favorS?"
II was foolish enough once to notice
her. | believe, but what is she to me
more than the rest Of the horde who tlll
the fields? By my soul, Herbert, 1t
we're tollv for a noble to look kindly on
these low-bred kinds, for Ii you 40 SO
tnev take it for granted that you intend
some favor to them, and perSlStently
dog your footsteps"
.tfnen YOU have met before?"
"Manv times. but never spoke to the
oirl hut once. 1t was foolish thing TO
do. but confess that | was so struck
with her beauty | could not resist the
temptation to address Il few words to
her."
"And on this concession she mas pre-
sumed?"
herself in my path"
''She should prove an easy conquest,
them" laughed Herbert,
II never thought of that" said Carl,
stroking his mOuStache.
.sShe filings herself at your feet"
"Granted: buF'-
"But what, Carl?'
"Such conduct only exctes my pity,
if not my disgust"
HIS friend laughed.
"Herbert," said Carl, 'you are"-
"Your friend" interrupted the other.
"Sav rather my tempter. You put
thoughts into my head that never before
entered there"
His friend laughed again.
"Well, well, if you love the girF'-
"Nonsense, Herbert; you know that [
am affianced to the Lady Gertrude.
How then can 1 love a lowly born
maiden?"
Herbert shrugged his shoulders.
Let us on" said Carl shortly. The
midday meal awaits, and we shall be
late If we hurry not back to the castle"
They hastened on, and as they did SO
a figure rose on the edge OF the lake and
gaZed after them.
II was a strange being, half fisher
man, half hunter in attire. lie was tall
of stature and strong OF limb:
Virtue, villainy and ambition have
stood today on the borders of my
realm" he said, "and from my cave i'll
in the lakes bed | have seen and heard
"ao. no, there are fresh victims for
the cave king to lure TO his caverns un-
der the rolling tlOod, but one must es-
cape me, for have no power over firm
ness 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
shaved the lake beneath him like sill
yer mirror.
Suddenly figure stood before him.
and the Young man, with his hand upon
his sword, started back.
WHO are you?' he said.
"One who would serve YOU"
"HOw?"
"You are charmed with the beauty of
Hilda, the peasant girl, who valnly loves
your friend Carl"
How know You that?'
81 have the power to read mems
Thoughts and see the workings Of a
woman's heart"
"You? Who are you then"'
1.-The cave king of the Lake OF Kirk
nitz."
"What would you with me?" asked
the youth tremulously.
Il come to serve you. A vain. ambl-
tious girl will await one whom she
hopes 10 meet on the bauk OF The lake,
but who cares not for her.
"What pity for such as she! She
seeks her doom. Steal from the castle
when the bell booms forth the midnight
hour and meet her Oh the spot where to-
day your friend treated her with such
contempt"
''But of what avail would be that?'
"Assume the form OF your friend, and
win the love she is so anxious TO beStOW
on one so far above her"
"How can do that"
"By my aid"
And what do you ask in return ?"
"Simply that, having impressed the
girl with the belief that you are him
she so madly loves, you will embark
with her on the lake Oh boat you will
find moored 10 the shore"
1T Is but simple request, l admit
"Fhen take the form of your friend, |