The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-01-20
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS
DREAM.
ny MAX NoRpAu.
rtledTrunsrAttonh ny Mary j. Stafford
fr,o.,,,.,,,,,, ,soeN

Bile festival; his silver wedding and
the completion OF his castle, FFaazcn-
ruhe, which he had built outside the
gates OF Marlttbrelt, on the slope OF
one OF the hills, which, Us the last wes-
tern spur OF the Steigerwnld, roll In a
gradual descent to the bank Of the
Main. The castle was q magnificent
edlflce, in the Renaissance style-of
course. Red sandstone and white mar
Bile had been used, with beautiful et-
feet OF color for the facade, which mace
u lavish display OF pilasters with fol-
iAge and vine work, inches containing
statues, and bay windows with beau
titul wrought iron ratings. The castle
stood in the midst OF a lovely park
filled with trees n century old which
extended up to the summit OF the hill
and down to the river,
The master OF the castle liked n Law
ish style. He had invited TO hts house
warming numerous guests, to whom. In
the spacious apartments planned for
this purpose, he could offer n 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 acquaintance
from places still more remote, who had
fIocked here with their wives and
grown children, so that from carly
morning the mansion Ind been allied
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 fluted columns. was lighted by q
superb chandelier with hundreds OF
wax candles, and contained a fons ia
BILE very richly set Silver ornaments
exquisiteiy 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 my heraldic addi-
ton which might recall the recent ele-
walton OF rank, a graceful bit OF coquet-
ry on the part OF man who had been
successful in life, but who was no up.
start. Al every plate was also placed
q bouquet. in a holder representing a
crystal lily with q 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 treshness-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 Bayarian
and Russian officers.
The hostess, still q pretty woman,
with her wealth OF fair hair aud her
clear complexion, over whose delicate
Transparency the years had passed with
scarcely a trace, had at her right an
elgn account have been almost unyar-
who. being a great eater and verT
poor conversationallst, Toasted his eye
alternately on his plate and on tho
pretty faces, whispering to his neigh
Dor remarks about the yIands and the
feminine guests, whose nrtless sim
pliclty-they consisted chiefly OF noun
and a laudatory djective-showed
profoundly satisfied and comfortable
mood. AT her left sat highly esteemr
ed friend OF the family, DR.. Berger
mann. q young physician, tutor tn
the wurzburE university, who, during
the past three years had twice had the
opportunity OF saving Frau Won jag
erSfeld and her eldest daughter, In
cases OF severe illness, from threaten
ing death. and TO whom the whole fam
lily therefore, felt unbounded gratitude.
Bergman was handsome man, still
under thirty, whose grave manner made
him appear somewhat older. a thought
fuI brow, an absolutely straight nose,
large gray eyes, which on hrSt meet
ing them looked cold and penetrating,
lips somewhat large. yet well modelled.
dark beard, and n luxuriant head OF
hair which was permitted TO wave,
stand up, or lie nat at will, were the
Individual features which collectively
formed a remarkably Interesting head.
HIS manner showed a peculiar mingifug
of modesty, nay. timidlty. and vigorous
setf-reiiance. II was evident that he
was unaccustomed TO the drawing
roomand large companies, and felt at
ehse only beside slck-bed. He was
rather awkward In almless chatter, but
on the other hand, firm and clear in
professional conversation. a mere boy
in the presence OF laxative, pretty
girl. but q hero and conqueror when
with q suffering, anxious human being.
beseechinB his aid. His left-hHnd
the wife Of a Frankfort bank
iteotare OF the dIRlpR-hall and the
v
celved monosyllAbIc, hesitating replies,
while he talked eloquently and anil
matediy to the lady on his right, the
hostess, upon the influence OF modern
nervousness upon social forms.
He paid little heed to the guests, and
had only glanced at them carelessly
two or three times, bowling 30 RcIaaiHt-
nnces. and hastily obtaining 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, II appeared slight and delicate,
without fragifity, girtishiy immature.
yet not lean In form. The small head,
supported by slender, snow-whlte
neck, was n marvel OF grace and clo-
gaace. Instantly recalling the bust Of
Clytia In the British museum. One
inyoluDtnrily looked for the sunilower
from whose calyx It really ought to
bloom. The brow was narrow and dnz-
cling fair. the nose uncommoniy deli
cate. slightly arched at the root, with
mobile nostriiS, so delicate that one
might believe them transparent; the
mouth not very small, but exRuls!tely
hhipeu' niNu NIAh ups SuI NI'b ooel-
nately. which curled sometimes sternly,
sometimes scornfully. sometimes bit
terly, but could also smile with infinite
sweetness and charm; the chin round
and sthtuesque. the cheeks neither
plump nor hollow, with q delightful
play OF tender lights and soft. almost
imperccptibic shadows over their
bright surfaces. But the most remark
able characteristics OF this bend were
the large blue eyes, deep as the sea,
beneath long Inshes and nobly-formed
brows, and the luXurlhnt, almost Eol-
den-rGd hair, whose Rilkcn wreath OF
naturally waving locks rested above
the brow in the bands. like the Eleam-
ing wings OF some bright hued tropical
bird, while the light OF the candles,
shining on the braids, struck out
uL..t. 49, nnAIn.. ...nAnIIIn ..nnn.Inr.. n..L