The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-08-07
SHE DID 1T FOR LOVE.

~ was DlIONC nlkDt III tnt year
1S3l-a night memorable in the kingdom
of Saxony as one Of almost unprecedented
GOODNESS. Three travellers on horseback
were on their way from Breslau across the
Bresengebirge, the giant mountains, to
Dresden, a distance Of some $50 miles.
Railways I'm those days were almost un-
known in most OF the German provinces.
Men of means rode in caravans with their
servants, while the poorer classes were
either Obliged to walk, or, If their means
so allowed, rode on mules.
Our three friends seemed to belong to
the former class. They were not attended
by liveried servants, nor had they "a large
supply of provisions, but their command
ing figures and general appearance would
lead one To suppose that they were men in
the higher walks Of life.
As they approached the side of noun
tain torrent one Of the three caught sight
of an old pilgrimage church. Come,
Waldemar, he exclaimed, 1--WE can take
an hours rest here. Our horses need IL,
and we still have sufficient food for one
lunch" All three dismounted, and, hav-
ing tied their horses, were about to enter
the church when peasant came up, with
two dogs at his heels. "A bad night, +"
said the former speaker as the man halted
before him. 81 fear we will not reach
Dresden before daybreak, and the weather
is not improving"
"Thirty-fiv more miles before you, " re-
piled the peasant, land it's terrible gale.
But If your lordships care TO tarry there's
an inn not so far distant.
Where" asked all three together.
Just one mile from here, he replied
You'll have no trouble finding 1t, sirs,
because you'll see the lights from the oil
room as soon as you finish the forest"
"A thousand thanks, good man" re-
piled the strangers, and, dropping piece
of silver into his hand, they remounted
their horses.
They had not been riding more than ten
minutes when they came i'm sight Of the
old German inn 1t was a large dreary
looking stone house, the ruins no doubt OF
some noted castle which had taken an i'm
portant part in the German wars
IAN old landmark, l suppose, remark
ed Waldemar, who seemed to be the leader
Of the party AS he spoke he knocked Wig
orously mt the door. His summons were
answered by neat, smart looking German
girl, who appeared ut window to ask who
"Wilhelm Rous, Henry Cluber and Waldo
mar Bleneau," one replied "we'd like to
put up for the night, miss, If you can fur
nish us any kind Of hospitality" Without
further questioning Gretien, the innkeep-
er's daughter, opened the door, gave the
visitors seats and told boy near by to re-
lieve them of their baggage and put the
horses under shelter. She then led the
newcomers into small dining room and
| ordered the cook to prepare supper for
them Immediately. A meal, no matter
how plain, always has relish after long,
tiresome Journey, and 80 our friends en-
| joyed hearty supper, although 1t was en-
tirely devoid OF variety. They then retired
to an adjoining apartment, where the
guests Of the inn were passing away the
gloomy evening 1t was large, bare
room, containing number of wooden
chairs and wide, open fireplace around
which were gathered dozen or more men,
some smoking some DOING, while few
| were trying to keep up a conversation
which seemed to be tagging.
| As the three men entered one OF the
group whispered, GOOD gracious, here
| Waldemar Bleneau, earl of -, the great
| fayorite of the emperor" Waldemar walk
ed up to the group, and having returned
| their greetings drew forward chairs for his
| COMPANIONS, who followed him. The con-
yersation now began to be Of n more inter-
esting nature, and for more than an hour
| the guests discussed the various questions
| of the day, when suddenly dreadful storm
arose. The wind, which had been bowling
| since dusk, was now accompanied with
hail and had become 80 powerful that the
| huge trees groaned under 1t and the old
| inn shook upon It's foundation. The guests
were somewhat terrified and betook them
selves to telling ghost stories. Gretien, the
| innkeeper's daughter, being anxious to
listen, and having great popularity with
| the old customers, was invited to join the
party. One story after another was related,
each one more terrifying than the other,
when Waldemar Bleneau, In order to amuse
| his companions, challenged Gretien to go
| out In the storm and walk as far as grave
yard near by and bring him piece of the
hedgewood surrounding 1t. In return for
her bravery he promised to grant her any
favor she would ask him.
| Gretien Goldstecn was pretty German
girl Of 10 years. Though she had little ed
ucation, she was general favorite, and II
was owing to her genial ways that the inn
retained any of Its old customers. She
had light wavy hair, o clear complexion
and such bright blue eyes that they had
won all the country lads In the vicinity.
| But she rejected them all but one-Hans
Varole-the sections son. Hans was poor,
but Gretien thought him the best and
truest lad in all Germany, and she was
only waiting until he could procure means
for q humble home to become his wife.
| 1t was not an uncommon thing for the
guests to ask the pretty maid, And how
IL YOUR Hans" "As good as ever, she
would answer, with sly laugh. So when
the wealthy nobleman, Waldemar Bleneau,
offered Grctien whatever she would ask, II
was no wonder that her large eyes fairly
sparkled He could do 30 much for Hans,
she thought, perhaps take him to his cas-
tie In Berlin and make him chief steward
or clerk or maybe start him In some bust
ness so that he might some day be a
wealthy citizen. And, after all, she was
not at all afraid Of ghosts, and when she
would return she'd just ask Waldemar Il
help poor Hans along. All these thoughts
flashed through her mind In an instant,
and without hesitation she accepted the
nobleman's challenge, much TO the sur
prise OF the guests. Having adjusted her
hood and wrapped u large shawl about her,
Grctien opened the heavy door of the inn,
and after once more exacting the promise
from waldemar closed II after her and
| went out into the night.
The graveyard was not moro than a
quarter Of mile from the inn, but II was
hidden from Its view by small mission
airy chapel, which was falling into decay.
Grcticn walked bravcly down the path to
ward the chapel for some few yards, when
the wind began to howl furiously. On she
went even faster for several minutes, but
In trying to protect her face from the hugs