The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-02-03

Il will, my lady. In this, as in all
things. your commands shall be
obeyed."
Good" she answered, gently. press
ing his hand with affection. "And. as
soon rs you can come to me, | have 4
little surprise. Something" she said.
with a roguish smile. as she left him.
(which think will not be altogether
distasteful to YOU"
Two days later. The time of violets
and eldder-blossoms had passed, but the
roses were unfolding their petals in the
golden sunshine. In obededience to
the mistress, a servant had placed a
couch in a pleasant spot of the garden
for Ottmar, and halt led, half carried,
him to it. AS he reclned there, drink
in the rose-scented air feeling of con-
tentment and peace stole over him;
surely life was beautiful and well
worth living. Then, like a blight,
would come the old black shadow over
his pleasant thoughts. He passed his
hand across the spot where the steward
had first shaved his locks, long ago
when he was only 4 boy. He was a
slave. The thought made him quiver,
as with bodily pain. Then there how
cred before his mental vision lovely
female figure, with face as pure as a
saint sand as courageous as heroine's.
He could feel her gentle hand on his
brow, and hear her say:
"Have you never thought that your
death would leave breach in some
life that would never heal? In some
life-in miner
But it was madness. Shea princess,
he bondman! That thought tortured
him daily. Oh! it was wrong of her to
be so kind to him. He hid his face in
his hands. Again he felt the touch of
that soft, gentle hand. and this time he
knew it was real. He started up ncr-
vously; Lady Ilse stood before him.
IL wanted to see how you stood
your first journey"
Ottmar flushed glowing red; then
turned pale as death.
"If | have frightened you, | am very
sorry" said the lady.
Ottmar regained his selfpossession.
Pardon me, gracious lady" he said.
gravely, that | have seemed lacking
in respect, but weak limbs sometimes
refuse service" and Ottmar rose slow
Iy and with difficulty.
A sorrowful smile played round her
lips. She looked steadily at him.
Am | so small in your esteem?'
NO, my lady, you are gracious and
great, and good and noble, while am
a bondman, the lowest OF all mankind,
and miserable wretch not worthy to
unf,stcn your shoe"
His tall figure swayed. Lady Ilse
gently pushed him back on the couch.
"Ottmar, you are a self-tormenting
fool. will hear no more Of this folly.
See! | have brought you something
which l think you will like and she
handed him a:small roll of parchment
u,,n which Vas written in unmistak-
able characters Ottmar's freedom from
the condition of bondage.
Ottmar stared hard at the letters ON
the written page. He had, while at
Stollberg, secretely, and with great
trouble, learned the art of writing from
the castle-chaplin; but now these char
actcrs seemed to dance before eyes, and
dazzle his sight Free! He, who had
been the most miserable of vassals
He could not grasp it.
Lady Ilse had expected to witness
an outburst of JOY; she looked wonder
ingly at the one at her side, pale and
speechless. At last she said, softly:
"Ottmar!'
The sound of her voice seemed tc
rouse him.
my lady, he cried, ''you have Civ
en- me the best gift in the world, anC
| do not know how to use it,
''Have patience. Ottmar; that viii
come to you later, when you are fully
recovered
MY lady, the chains have been 5,
long upon me that the links have growI
into the flesh; and, though you hav.
filed off my fetters, shall always beal
the signs. | can never hold up my head
as one whose shoulders have never
felt the yoke of bondage, whose bach
has never known the blows of the mas
ter's stick"
Lady Ilse hastily interrupted him
away with these unwholesome fan
: tastes. | tell you again they. are The
result of your illness. When you ar,
strong, we will consider your future;
) will give you portion ofland whelevc
it shall please You to dwell, and yol
shall cultivate freehold, and owe allie
pianca tO no man save the pmnnror
There was strnge look in Ottmar'
= eyes, as if he saw 4 visison of the past
: \ moment before his face had cX
pressed deep melancholy; at the lady
, words the look of sadness changed t,
an expression of keen anguish. II
F., sank upon his knees.
l Take back your gift he begged