The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-06-06

court Of Landgrave Hermann gathered
all the greatest of the minnesingers-
Wolfram Won Eschenbac Walther von
der Vogelweide, and hundreds Of less
note, while the names of many others
are forgotten with their songs. Here,
In the large hall where now painting
by one of Germany's greatest modern
artists commentaries the event. was
waged the famous @War of the Singers,
where Heinrich Won Ofterdingen-sui-
named the Tannhauser-was vanquished
by Eschenbach's greater art and only
saved his forfeited head by the interces-
sion Of beautiful woman. Here St.
Elizabeth dwelled by the side OF her hus-
band, Landgrave Ludwig. the crusader;
and here, in later times, Martin Luther
translated the Bible
Ralph liked to muse tn these pener-
able halls, so full Of architectural beauty
and so interesting In historic remin-
iscences He had gained the confidence
of the attendants, who let him wander
at random through that part OF the cas-
tie which Is ordinarily shown to tourists
There he spent many long hour, and,
among the emotions awakened by such
SuIrOuuOluSS soMoeiufOS oAooSS AoAS0
his own troubles.
It was the fashion among the summer
guests at Eisenach to pay visit to the
castle at least once week. Mrs. War
ringham also obeyed this fashion. One
day she complained at the haste with
which visitors were driven through the
halls by the attendants who would not
allow them to inspect at leisure what
ever might attract their attention.
Now, Count HohenfelS happened to be
relative of the commander" Of the
castle, an aged, invalid officer, who had
been given this sinecufe'tn lieu OF PEN
sion. He offered to obtain permission
from that gentleman to remain in the
castle as long as they liked, without in
reference from the guides. Mrs War
ringham and another lady gladly &C
cepted.
The Count easily got the desired per
mission, and ON the following day the
visit was to be made. But 1t 30 hap
pened that at the appointed time the
other lady felt indisposed:
Thus for the first time Count Won
Hohenfels and Mrs Warringham found
themselves alone together. They found
themselves alone in the wide, mysterious
halls Of the ancient castle, In an atmos-
phere of romance, amid reminiscent ces
of love and passion, before the great
picture of the SINGERS War"
Lucy's bosom heaved a. she stood be-
fore the painting, with her arm In his
Her heart beat violently.
He felt her arm tremble in his. His
hand found hers, and she did not with
draw it. So they stood, looking at the
life-si.ed, many-colored figures on
Schwind's great fresco, which covers the
larger part of the long side Of the hall
He began to explain 1t, for he was
thoroughly familiar with these legends.
aDo you know the story Of Tannhau-
ser? OF course you do; you have seen
Wagner's opera.
at is story of love and passion" she
replied u have heard 1t, but let me
hear it again from you"
He told how the knight found his way
into the Hoersel mountain. where Lady
Venus held court inrsplendor and beauty.
There be lived among the joys OF love
for many years, but at last his conscience
bade him seek absolution from the Pope.
He took leave from Lady Venus and
travelled to Rome as pilgrim, But the
Holy Father would not grant him abso-
luton. and said not until the dry staff
he held in his hand would sprout anew
could his sins be forgiven. Then Tam
hauser went back into the mountain,
where he was received with open arms
by the Lady Venus. But the day after
the Pope's dry staff had put forth new
1o.r., nNbon rooooapnorc cont oil
over the world to find Tannhauser, but
he had gone back to the Queen OF Love.
When he had finished his story the
Count thought he heard noise behind
him, in the raised lobby where once the
beautiful landgrain had sat on her
throne and Tannhauser knelt before
her, after his defeat, just as 1t was de-
picted In the painting. he turned
around, but could see nothing.
at is beautiful story" Mrs. War
ringham said, softly, and he felt her
arm press against his @It-teaches that
love is the greatest power in the world,
and they who sin from love will always
be forgiven"
She seated herself in one Of the an
cient carved chairs just at the foot OF
the lobby. The Count stood beside her,
one foot on the steps.
The supreme moment had come.
She looked up into his eyes How
charming she was! Never was woman
so beautiful before! Was she Lady
Venus? Was he TannhauserP
"Then let my love be forgiven, also!"
he cried, as he threw his arms around
her. His lips pressed on hers in q mo-
ment Of all-forgetting bliss :.
There was noise behind them. The
lovers started and turned.
At the top of the steps leading to the
lobby stood DR.. Warringham.