Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-06-07

before. But rarely he participated IN
the amusements arranged by the sum-
mer residents. OF late he spent great
deal of his time watching his wife.
Rnt often. also, he would ramble for
long hours in the woods, alone with mis-
thoughts, or climb the hill from which
the ancient castle of Wartburg over
looks the country, to muse Ill the nails
of that venerable pile
There IS perhaps no other monument
of the middle ages left to US around
which cluster so many associations Oh
romance, poetry, legend and history as
Wartburg Castle, the ancient seat OF tne
Thuringian Landgraves. In the thir,
teenth century this was the center OF
German knightly poetry, when at tne
court of Landgraye Hermann gathered
all the greatest of the minneslngers-
Wolfram Won Eschenbach, Walther Won
der VOgelweide, and hundreds OF loss
note. while the names OF many others
are forgotten with their songs. Here,
in the large hall where now painting
bv one of Germany's greatest modern
artists commentaries the event, was
waoed the famous "War of the Singers, "
where Heinrich Won Ofterdingen-sur,,
named the Tannhauser-was vanquished
bv Eschenbach's greater art, and only
saved his forfeited head by the interces-
sion of a 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 in these vener-
able halls. SO fu of architectural beauty
and so interesting in historic remln
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 tourl Is
There he spent many long hour, and
among the emotions awakened by Sucf
surroundings, sometimes almost forgo
his own troubles
It was the fashion among the summer
guests at Eisenach to pay visit TO th(
castle at least once week. Mrs. war
ringham also obeyed this fashion. Ont
dav she complained at the haste VIII
which visitors were driven through the
halls by the attendants who would moi
allow them to inspect at leisure what
ever might attract their attention,
Now, Count HohenfelS happened to bC
q relative of the commander" OF thi
castle. an aged, invalid officer, who ha(
been given this sinecure in lieu OF pen
sion. He offered to obtain permission
from that gentleman to remain in TIT
castle as long as they liked, without in
terference from the guides. Mrs. War
ringham and another lady gladly &C
copied.
The Count easily got the desired per
mission, and on the following day til
visit was to be made. But 1t so hap
pcned that at the appointed time tn
other lady felt ind;sposed.
Thus for the first time Count vol
Hobenfels and Mrs. Warringham foun
themselves alone together. They foun
themselves alone in the wide, mysteriou
ha Is of the ancient castle, in an atmo'
phere of romance, amid 1eminlscence
of love and passion, before the grea
picture of the SINGERS War. "
Lucy's bosom heaved as she stood be
fore the pa nting, with her arm in his
Her heart beat violently
He felt her arm trelnble in his. Ill
hand found hers, and she did not with
draw it. So they stood, looking at til
life. sized, many co,ored figures o
Schwind's great fresco, which covers th
larger part of the long side Of the hal
He began to explain l., for he wa
thoroughly familiar with these legends
ADO you know the story OF Tannhat
ser? Of course you do; you have see
Wagner's opera.
at is a story of love and PASSION, sh
replied al have heard it, but let m
hear it again from YOU"
He told how the KIN ght found his wa
into the Hoersel mountain. where Lad
Venus he'd court in splendor and beaut
There he lived among the joys OF 10y
for many years, but at last his conscien(
bade him seek absolution from the Pop
He took leave from Lady Venus al
Travelled to Rome as pilgrim. But ii
HOLY Father would not grant him ats
lution. and said not until the dry sta
he held in his hand would sprOut ane
could his sins be forgiven. Ahen Tan
hauser went back into the mOuntai
where he was received with open arm
bv the Lady Venus. But the day ait
the Pope's dry staff had put forth ne
leaves. Then messengers were sent {
over the word to find Tannhauser, b.
ne had gone back to the Queen OF Loy
When he had finished his story Il
Count thought he heard noise behll
him. in the raised lobby where once I'll
beautiful landgrafn had sat on h
throne and Tannhauser knelt befo
her. after his defeat, just as 1t was
Dicted in the painting. He turn'
around, but could see nothing.
at is a beautiful story" Mrs. wa
ringham said, softly, and he felt h
arm press against his. at teaches TN
love is the greatest power in the worl
and they who sin from love will alwa
be forgiven.
She seated herself in one OF the a
cient carved chairs just at the foot
the lobby. The Count stood beside nc
one foct on the steps.
The supreme moment had come
She looked up into his eyes. Ht
charming she was! Never was won
so beautiful before! Was she La
Venus? Was he Tannhauser?
"Then let my love be forgiven, also
he cried, as he threw his arms arou
her. His lips pressed on hers in a n
ment of all-forgctting bliss. -,
There was noise behind them 1
lovers started and turned
At the top of the steps leading 10
lobby stood DR.. Warringham.
CHAPTER XIV.