The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-10
A BRETON LEGEND.

Long, long ago, In the days Of good
King Arthur, Count Morriss dwelt in the
old chateau Of La Roche Morice neal
Landerneau, in Brittany. With him lived
his beautiful niece Katel Although
charming in face and figure, this maiden
had a somewhat uncanny reputation, fot
it was said-and with reason-that she
was a witch. The count urged Katel to
marry, but she would accept no sutton who
would not dance with her for - hours,
with no break But she always dasaced
madIy till her partners sank fainting on
the floor.
Thus persisted many suitors until the
cruel maiden became an object Of general
hatred and horror When her doings came
to the ears Of the count, he sternly forbade
her to attend any more Of the dances. In
order to enforce her obedience he shut her
up in q tower, where, said he, she was to
remain until she should choose a husband
from among such suitors as still persisted
in Offering her marriage.
Now, Katel had a vizened little pare.
no bigger than a Ieveret and as black as a
raven S wing. This creature she sum
moned to her one morning before dawn,
and, with her finger at her lips, she said to
him:
BE swift and silent Ny uncle still
slumbers Get thee gone by the ladder
and HE thee to the castle of Salaun, who
IS waiting for q message from her he loves.
The guards viii allow thee to pass. Take
horse, ride like the wind and tell Salaun
that Katel calls him to deliver her from
this tower before the day dawns. -
The infatuated young knight obeyed TIE
summons Immediately. In an hours time
he was assisting the lady to mount his
horse after having got her il safety down
the rope ladder As, from the window of
the donjon, the dwarf watched them ride
away he chuckled to himself
"Hal hal And so they are of to the
great ball held today in the Martyrs
meadow. An, my dear Salaun, before an
other sun shall rise your deathkneu viii
be bolledP'
When Katel and her gallant cavalier ar
rived at the Martyrs meadow, they excited
general surprise and admiration. Some,
however shook their heads forebOdingly,
as they heard that SalRun, now Katel's
afdanced lover, was to be her partner, for
they knew that the brave young knight
must needs fall q victim to her spell.
The ball began. Some of the most skill
full pipers in the land had been engaged for
the occasion, and they played gavottes,
rondes, cOurantes and many other dances
without interInission. But Katel waited
until night came and the torches were lit.
Then she took Salaun' 8 hand, and they be-
gan to dance together.
Round againl Once morel Hal hap
laughed the witch maiden as they spun
along. What are you tired already Do
you give in so soon as this2'
'Never-While am with your was the
fervent reply. The fatal spell had begun
to work.
Thus on they whirled, yet more swiftly
than before, so that the other dancers stood
aside to watch them After time, how
ever, Katel observed that her partner was
gradually becoming weaker, and that he
would soon be unable to keep pace with
her.
Courage exclaimed she in a ba1stering
tone. we cannot stop yet; it wants but
a very short time to midnight, and then
shall be yOursp'
Salaun, although almost exhausted,
strained every nerve and muscle in a fran
tic, final effort to continue the dance.
Round the field they few at lightning
speed, but it was for the last time. The
knights knees shook, his breath came
moro quickly, then with difficulty he gasp
ed out the words.
'Oh, Katel, have mercyi I can do no
morel Katels my love, have I not won you
YETI"
But as he sank Ifeless upon the grass
Katel turned coldly away. His fate Yves
nothing to her. At that moment the clock
in the neighboring tower struck -. All
gAE A4t54G3 A4ChCIG4 ana GA9AE60T Ql1EkneSS
relgned supreme. And through the dark
ness, shrilling high above every other
sound, rang the hooking laugh Of the imp
ish dwarf
what" exclaimed Katel derisively,
glancing angFily at the WOrnout pipers,
w no had Mt last paused in their wild music,
exhausted already by such slight exer-
tions? I wish the evil one would send me
some musicians and dancers worthy Of me.
OF what use are these miserable puny crea-
tures9'
As she uttered the word, stamping her
foot ia her fury, a weird, red light cleaned
in the sky. There was a terrible peal of
thunder and strange stir in the trees.
Then suddenly, in the center of the field,
appeared two phantom forms, at the sight
Of whom the panic stricken bystanders
would fain have fed To their horror,
however, they found flight impossible.
They were rooted to the spot
One Of the phantOnls was attired in a
red garment, covered with a black cloak.
Beneath his arm he held a large double
pipe, co1led around which were five hiss
ing, writhing serpents. The other stranger,
who was exceedingly tall, was dressed in q
tightly fitting black suit and heavy red
mantle, while upon his head waved an i'm
posing tuft of vulture's plumes.
The ghostly piper began at once to play
an unearthiy dance tune, SO wild and mad
Qen4Ag plaI 10 mace AL IAe hearers Iela-
bic. His tall, grim companion seized Ka-
tel by the waist, and the couple whirled
round to the mad measure, which grew
ever faster and more furious. In an in
slant the torches were relit. A few others
joined in the dance. Not for long, how
ever. Katel and her phantom were soon
the only dancers Shriller still shrieked
the pipes, faster yet grew the music, more
and more swiftly spun the feet. Ere long
the witch maiden felt that her strength
was deserving her. The torches swan be-
fore her eyes, and in the last extremity Of
terror she struggled to release herself from
the iron grip which held her so relentlessly.
What, 50 soon tired?'' cried the specter,
ieering at her. do you give in so soon