The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-03

bliss of these two loyers-a message from hi.
uncle. The Moors were in northern Spain
and threatening France, and Roland's strong
arm was needed to do battle with the infidels
No brave knight could refuse summons OF
this sort, and soon came the day of parting.
Roland, heavy hearted, rode away and Hide
guude waved her little white hand from the
castle window. until the steep, winding path
carried her lover out OF sight and only his
promise to return as soon as the war wa;
over was to comfort them both.
There was great battle between Christians
and Infdels in the valley Of Ronceval. and
for many hours victory seemed now with one
side, now with the other; many noble knights
were slain, and Roland, struck by great club
of an Arab, sank unconscious to the ground
After the battle was over they thought him
dead, and only his squire went out to the
battlefield to search for him, and finding
him carried him TO shepherds hut.
His uncle and the court mourned the death
of Roland, and after many weeks the news
reached Drachenburg to the sorrow of Herr
bert, and it broke the gentle heart of his
daughter. She went for many days of prayer
to the convent on the island in the Rhine,
soon became novice, and after many piteous
appeals the Bishop shortened the novitiate
and allowed her to take the final vows.
And now we 90 back TO her lover, who was
| taken senseless from the battlefield. After
many weeks Of careful nursing from the
squire and shepherd he finally recovered
somewhat. and, weak as he was, began the
long Journey TO Drachenburg to claim his
sweetheart The journey was but slow, and
the squire was often obliged to half carry his
! MASTER bnt finally, one foggy, Autumn even
ing they reached Drachenburg's gates and
gave joyful call for entrance
Herbert could hardly believe that this was
indeed Roland, and when convinced, fell
into so great a sadness that Roland begged to
know the reason, and also begged for Hide
gunde. The angushed Herbert told him
that she was a Bride Of Heaven, and Roland
left the castle the same hour
Above the little convent island towers a
mountain-peak, and here Roland built a
castle and his window looked down 10 the
island grounds and a stone bench in his park
also gave him glimpse of the walks. For
many years he lived here, his happiness be-
| ing 10 see the nuns in their walks. to distin-
! guish HildegunGe and once it seemed that
she saluted him. A morning came when
Hildegunde was not among those who were
! in the garden, and later he saw a little
funeral procession threading its way down
the paths. his heart told who it was
and his squire afterward told him that his rose
was indeed gone.
| Roland never spoke again. Not long after
his body was found tenantless, the faithful
eyes turned toward the convent-the soul
| perchance happy at last with hers whom he
had loved so we'll.
! Now here is a tale fit for the worlds SYM
patty, like that OF Dante and Beatrice, or
yet sweeter because OF its simplicity, and
yet there are many people sentmentalizing
over that scoundrel Abeard--who was in no.
wise worthy except that HelOise lavished her
great love on hm-and neglecting Roland and
his Hildegunde.