The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-01-20
PART 1.

~
~ Il wedding and the
Nx1 = completion of his
- .as,le, F'razen-
ruhe which he
had built outside the gates of Mark
threit, on the slope of one OF the mis-,
which. as the last western spur ui the
Steigerwald, roll I'm II gradual resent
to the bank of the Main.s The castle
was u magnificent edifce, In the Ike
nuisance style--of course. Red sand
stone and white marble had been used.
with "A beautiful effect of color. for the
facade which made Il lavish display Of
pilasters with foliage and vine work.
inches containing statues. and bay WIN
dows with beautiful wrought iron rail-
ings. The castle stood in the midst oI
a lovely park filled with trees century
old which extended up to the summit
of the hill and down to the river.
The master OF the castle liked u law
ish style. He had invited to his house
warming numerous guests, To whum, III
the spacious apartments planned FOR
the purpose. he could offer Il really
royal hospitality. at once magnificent
and refined. They were chiefly land
owners from the province of the Main.
rich merchants and manufacturers
from Frankfort, and acquaintanceS
from places still more remote. who had
iiocked here with their wives and
grown children. so that from early
morning the mansion had been filled
with joyous life.
The entire company assembled for
the first time at the banquet which took
place in the evening. The large dining
hall, wainscoated with polished marble
in the style of the Italian palaces.
whose painted ceiling was supported
by fiuted columns, was lighted by
superb chandelier with hundreds of
wax candles, and contained long table
very richly set. Silver ornaments eX-
quisitely adorned the center and the
ends. The china, the array of glasses
of all shapes which stood beside each
plate, bore the initial of the master of
the house without any heraldic addi-
tion which might recall the recent ele-
walton of rank, a graceful bit of cOquet-
ry on the part of a man who had been
successful in life, but who was no up
start. At every plate was also placed
a bouquet, In a holder representing
crystal lily with a silver cup. The COM
pany harmonized with the luxurious
environment The married ladies at
tracted the eye by their elegant toll
cites and rich jewels the young girls
among whom were several of bewitch-
ing beauty and freShness-in simpler
costumes, with flowers In their hair, by
their natural charms. Even among the
monotonous black dress coats of the
men, an eye which took pleasure in
color found some degree of satisfaction
in the gay uniform of several Bavarian
and Russian officers.
The hostess. still q pretty woman,
with her wealth of fair hair and her
clear complexion, over whose delicate
transparency the years had passed
with scarcely n trace, had at her right
an elderly general with numerous or
ders, who, being Il great eater and
very poor conversationalist, feasted his
eyes alternately on his plate and on
the pretty faces, whispering to his
neighbor remarks about the viands and
the feminine guests, whose artless sim
plicity-they consisted chiefly of a noun
and a laudatory adjective-showed a
profoundly satisfied and comfortable
mood At her left sat a highly esteemed
friend of the family. DR.. Bergmann, a
young tutor in the WurZburg univers-
ity, who, during the past three years,
had twice had the opportunity of saw
ing Frau Won Jagersfield and her eldest
daughter. In cases of severe illness.
and to whom the whole family therefore
felt unbounded gratitude. Bergman
Was q handsome man, still under 80.
whose grave manner made him apear
somewhat older. A thoughtful brow, an
absolutely straight nose, large gray
eyes, which on first meeting them looked
cold and penetrating. lips somewhat
large, yet'well modelled. dark beard. and
a luxuriant head of hair which was per-
mitted to wave, stand up, or lie fiat at
will. We're the individual features which
collectively formed remarkably inter-
esting head. His manner showed pc
culiar minglng of modesty. nay, tim
idity, and vigorous self-reliance. 1t
was evident that he was unaccuStomed
to the drawing-roOm and large com
panieS,and felt at ease only beside
sick-bsd. He was rather awkward in
aimlesS chatter. but. on the other hand,
firm and clear. in professional conversa-
tio', A mere boy III the presence of Il
talkative. pretty girl. but a hero and a
conqueror when with u suffering. anx-
ious human being. beseechng his aid.
His left-hand neighbor. the wife of
Frankfort banker. who chatted rapidly
about the architecture of the dining
hall and the Wagner performances at
Bayreuth. received monosyllabic. hesi-
tating replies. while he talked eloquently
and animatedly to the lady on his right.
the hostess upon the influence Of mod
ern nervousness upon social forms.
He paid little heed to the guests and
had only glanced at them carelessly
two or three times. bowling to acpuaint-
ances, and hastily obtaining a general
impression of the strangers At each
Of these surveys his eyes had remained
fixed upon lady who sat directly OPP
posite to- him and whose beauty was
remarkable. peculiar and fascinating.
So far as her figure could be seen. while
seated 1t appeared slight and delicate,
without fragility, girlshly immature.
yet not lean in form. The small head.
supported by slender. snow-white
neck. was u marvel of grace and ele-
gance. instantly recalling the bust of
Clytia In the British museum. One
involuntariy looked for the sun1ower
from whose calyX 1t really ought to
bloQm. The brow was narrow and daz-
cling fair. the nose uncommonly deli