The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1893-03-18
PUNISHED.

scenery, but it has the popularity of at
n time being a sheet of water and at
another a field.
The limestone. of which the bed of
this curious lake is formed, is perfo-
ated with assures, some of them as deem
as fifty feet, into which trunks Of trees
and fshermen's boats have at times heen
drawn.
Many years ago a maiden who lived
near Lake Kirknitz, poor as a church
mouse. but proud as II queen, refused all
lovers who sought her hand or COM
partnership.
Lovers, poor, but honorable, sought
her far and near, but she dismissed them
with Il frown and a 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 a few well chosen
words had Aattered 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 nan of the
girl, flung herself in his path. and with
a smile on her face and Il longing. look in
her eyes babe him good morrow.
The young lord, who was neither SC
sober nor in so good Il temper rs 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 Infatuated her. and
shaking her clinched hand at the noble
she cried:
MY time will comet
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
favorsT
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 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 u foolish thing to
do. but ! confess that | 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-
sumed?"
throws herself in my path"
She should prove an easy conquest.
then" laughed Herbert.
II lever thought of that" said Carl,
stroking his mustache.
She filings herself at your feet"
Granted; butt
But what, CarlI"
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.
We'll, we'll, if you love the girl"--
Nonsense, Herbert; you know that l
am afianced to the Lady Gertrude.
How then a | 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 fastened on, and as they did so a
figure rose on the edge of the lake and
gazed after them.
1t was a strange being, half fisherman,
half hunter IN attire. He was tall of
stature and strong of limb.
Virtue, Villainy and ambition have
stood today on the borders of my realm"
he said, land from my ave in the lakes
bed l have seen and heard all.
"Ho, no! there are fresh victims for
the Cave King to lure to his caverns un-
der the rolling flood, but one must escape
me, for have no power we firmness
and honor"
And diving into the lake he disap.
peared.
Night had come. Carl had sunk to
sleep on a 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 a silver
mirror.
Suddenly a figure stood before him,
and the young man, with his hand upon
his sword, started back.
"Who are your" he said.
"One who would serve YOU"
"How?''
You are charmed with the beauty OF
TIL