The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-25

eNMo SOm6InluR VI Oho Oooi
4lpV determination and pres
ence of mind which, in
his later life, during the troublesome
war of the Spanish Succession, dis
tinguished him in so remarkable
degree.
While quite young Villars had al
ready given several striking proofs
of his firmness and reliability, and
so it happened that he was once
sent by the French Government to
Vienna with certain important des-
patches. For greater safety in trav-
cling he took with him four servants.
While returning from Vienna he lost
himself in the Black Forest, and
when darkness had all but COM
pletely set in, he came to little vii
lage which had only one inn, and
that very mean one. He did not at
all relish the idea of spending the
night in such place, yet was at the
same time aware that, being totally
unfamiliar with the neighborhood,
he could not go any further, for the
night was very dark and neither of
the villagers could be induced TO
accompany him as guide. In his
difficulty he remembered that his
road had led him past large castle
not far from the village, and he asked
the landlord of the inn if he did not
think that the owner of this castle
might be willing to give French
officer nights lodging?
The man shook his head and an
swered, "That castle is not inhabited;
there are ghosts in il"
"Stuff and nonsense" retorted
Villars. Tell me friend, to whom
does this castle belong?"
ITO a nobleman who lives three
miles from here. Now and again he
comes to hunt in these parts, and
then he will spend two or three hours
in the castle. For this purpose he
has furnished one of the bedrooms
that he may rest there sometimes.
But no one has lived in it for the
last eight years, because everyone
who ventures to spend night there
comes back either badly maltreated
by the spirits, or not at ALL"
This speech of the landlords ex-
cited the young hero's ambition and
courage, awakening in him the desire
for an adventure.
Since you tell me" said he, "that
there is furnished bedroom in the
castle | should like to try sleeping a
night there, if you can give me a
couple of candles"
"Ycu can have candles, certainly
said the landlord; "but l would not
advise you to do it."
When. however, he saw that Vii
lars was not to be turned from his re-
solve, he promised to go with him to
the castle. He lighted lantern and i,
taking some candles, set out for the
castle alone with the officer, for
neither of the servants could be in
duced to go with them. On the road
the landlord gave VIllars instructions
for finding the bedroom, and at the
castle gate left him aud turned back
homewards.
Villars soon found the room con-
tanning the bed, which was well kept
and clean. He would have locked
the chamber door, but found that
the lock was out of repair. On
table beside the bed he placed two
lighted candles, and put two loaded
pistols between them; then he lay
down half undressed, and being very
tired, soon fell asleep.
At midnight he was awakened by
the creaking of the door, which be
saw to be opening Selling his
pistols, he kept his eyes fixed on tue
door. A tall, white figure entered.
1t remained standing at some dis
lance, beckoning to him. Soon Vii.
lars understood that the figure was
inviting him to follow it. Feeling it
impossible to resist such a rare
chance of an adventure, be rose,
fastened ON his sword, and, pistol in