The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-29

of straw lay her father, asleep, pale
and emaciated. She lOnged to call to
him, but remembered that she must be
silent before the porter. and they left
him sleeping and walked back through
the long corridor. boiling the heavy
door behind them.
The next day Rosa took into the priS-
oners the bowls of unappetiZing soup,
pushed one under every grating and
finally came to her fathers cell. I'm
locking his door, she pushed in and
knelt by the sick mans side. Father
fatherr' she cried. "Rosaw exclaimed
the knight, recognizing his daughter in
spite of the brown stain and rough
dress. He took her in his arms and
together they wept over their terrible
misfortunes. Then Rosa told her ia
ther all her adventures since she had
been carried off. until the sound of the
great bell of the castle, coming dim
and muffied through the thick dungeon
walls, warned her that it was time to
go back to the pOrter's wife.
Twice every day Rosa brought food
to the prisoners and thus saw her IA
ther. Escape. however, was not posi-
BILE. The walls We're too well guarded.
and as the days slipped by the poor
knight grew worse and Rosa despaired.
One morning the castle was filled
with noise and busy movement. The
news that the baron was to return that
evening with a large company of
guests flew from mouth to mouth. Sc
excited were they all that the nurse
maid forgot her precious charges. the
baron's two little sons, who were play
ing in the courtyard while she gossiped
with the scullery maid over the com
ing event.
A bright blue and yellow butterfly
few across the yard and away went
the two children after It. The butter
fly settled for a moment on the edge
of the bucket dangling over the
well. The eldest of the children
clambered up, stretched out hi:
little hand to reach the gay plaything
| lost his balance and fell in. The bar
oness at the window saw and tainted
| at the sight. Men and maids rushed
up, and among them Rosa. Down il
| the dismal depths of the well the!
peered and saw that the little fellow
| coat had caught on a sharp stone pro
| jecting half way down the well. Ros:
saw that the coat was already begin
| ming to tear, that there was no time t,
| be lost, and, jumping into the bucket
| told the men to let her down gentl.
| till she reached the boy. Soon th
| child was safe in her arms and tn
| bucket, with it's occupants, CAREFUL.
brought up to the mouth of the well.
| 1t was not many hours after that tn
| Baron of Odenwald, sitting in th
| Great hall of the castle with his guests
heard the story of his sons narrow eS
cape from death and Rosa's pluck
act
''Bring the girl herep' he command
ed, and Rosa was brought in. he
rough peasant dress contrasting wit
the gay costumes of the knights an
ladies in the hall.
Girl" said the baron, you save
my sons life. Ask what you will G
me and 1 will give it to YOU
"Baron of Odenwald," answere
Rosa boldly, "there is one favor | wi
| ask Ol you. NlNe UP Soui pi'0oh>
the knight of Tannenburg. to me-
mo, no! Not that" frowned til
baron.
A murmur went around the ha
from the guests, "Your word, yor
honor!" and the baron turned pa
!, with chagrin and rage. By his ordt
| the wounded knight was brought u
J from the dungeon. Astonished and a
, most blinded by the bright light, |
gaZed around him, while Rosa quiet
, put her hand in his.
"My daughter, what does tn
: mean?'
) Ills daughter!" murmured tt
guests once more.
) The whole story then came out
= reconciliation was effected betwee
the knight and the baron and the pro
5 erty of the former restored to him.
r Some days later Rosa and her fath'
sat together in an upper chamber
: the castle. the knight with the glow
9 returning health on his face, Rosa
r a pretty little silk gown and the brow
$ berry stain completely disappeared.
e Father" said Rosa, this is ha
] py ending after all to the story of II
golden chain"
D "Yes. dear" answered her fathe
K 81 began the story, but it was II
j brave little daughter who brought it
. this happy termination. n."-Pittsbu