Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-01-23
PUNISHED.
New York Sun.

..tion, is situated in Carniola, Austria.
There is not much beauty in its
scenery, but it has the popularity of at
one time being sheet of water and at
another field.
The limestone, of which the bed of
this curious lake is formed, is perfo-
hted with tissures, 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 a maiden who lived
near Lake Kirknitz, poor as a church
mouse, but proud as 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
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
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 a temper as when
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
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 Gomez
The others laughed in mingled amuse-
ment and derision.
"How say you, Carl?" asked one ''Is
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, l believe, but what is she to me
more than the rest of the horde who till
the fields? BY my soul, Herbert, it were
folly for a noble to look kindly on these
low bred kinds, for if you do so 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. 1t was foolish thing to
do, but | confess that l was SO struck
with her beauty | could not resist the
temptation to address a few words to
her."
And on this concession she has pre-
sumedl'
"Yes. Go forth when l will she
throws herself in my path"
"She should prove an easy conquest,
then" laughed Herbert.
Il never thought of that" said Carl,
6tfOkl1lS MS lnuSUaCle.
''She filings herself at your feet"
"Granted; but
"But what, Carl?
"Such conduct only excites my pity,
if 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 l
am anianced to the Lady Gertrude.
How then can | love "a lowly born maid
en?"
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 has,ened on, and as they did SO a
figure rose ON the edge of the lake and
gazed after them.
1t was strange being, half fisherman
half hunter in attire. He was tall OF
stature aud strsng of limb.
"Virue vilaiuy 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 fol
the Cave King to lure to his caverns un
der the rolling flood, but one must escape
me, for | have no power over firmnes'
and honor
And diving into the lake he disap
peared.
4
Night had come. Carl had sunk Il