Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-12-08

Tie uOOIS.
Together they went down winding
flight of stone steps, opened door
heavily bolted and barred, and down
long, dark corridor, dimly lighted by
the porter's lantern. On one side were
small stone cells, behind whose iron
gratings wild, cruel faces cleaned in
the light of the passing lantern. Hide
Gus oaths and fearful laughter followed
them, and Rosa shrank, frightened, to
the porter's side.
"Do not fear them," he said, "they
cannot possibly escape. This man,
however, Is good and gentle, and you
can go right into his CELL" He stopped
in front of one OF the gratings and held
up his lantern. Rosa's heart beat fast
and loud. There, on a wretched heap
Of straw, lay her father, asleep, pale,
and emaciated. She longed to call to
him, but remembered 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-
on the bowls Of appetizing soup, pushed
one under every grating, and finally
came to her fathers cell. Unlocking
his door, she pushed in and knelt by the
sick mans side. Father! Fatherr'
she cried. "Rosar' exclaimed the
knight, recognizing his daughter in
spite Of the brown stain and rough
dress. He took her in his arms and to-
gether they wept over their terrible
misfortunes. Then Rosa told her faith
er all her adventures since he had been
carried off, until the sound Of the great
bell Of the castle, coming dim and muf-
fed 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 prisoner, and thus saw her faith
er. Escape, however, was not possible.
The walls were too we'll 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 large company of guests
flew from mouth to mouth. So excited
were they all that the nursemaid for
got her precious charges, the baron's
two little sons, who were playing in the
courtyard, while she gossiped with the
scullery maid over the coming event.
A bright blue and yellow butterfly
flew across the yard, and away went
the two children after it. The butter
fly settled for moment on the edge Of
the bucket dangling over the we'll. The
eldest Of the children clambered I'D,
stretched out his little hand to reach the
gay plaything, lost his balance, and fell
IN. The baroness at the window saw
and tainted at the sight. Men and maids
rushed up, and among them Rosa.
Down into the dismal depth of the well
they peered and saw that the little
fellows coat had caught on a sharp
stone projecting half way down the
well. Rosa saw that the coat was al
ready beginning to tear; that there was
no time to be lost, and, jumping into
the bucket, told the men to let her down
gently TILL she reached the boy. Soon
the child was safe in her arms and the
bucket, with its occupants, carefully
brought up to the mouth of the we'll
1t was not many hours after that the
Baron of Odenwald, sitting in the great
nall OF the castle with his guests, heard
the story Of his sons narrow escane
from death and Of Rosa's plucky act.
Bring the girl herev he commanded
and Rosa was brought in, her roupb
peasant dress contrasting with the CAV
costumes of the knights and ladies in
the hall.
Girl" said the baron, you saved
my sons life. Ask what you will of me
and l will give 1t you"
Baron Of Odenwald," answered
Rosa, boldly, there is one favor will
ask OF you. Give up your prisoner, the
Knight Of Tannenburg, to me-"
mo, no! Not thatr' frowned the
baron.
A murmur went around the hall from
the guests-"Your word; your honorp,
and the baron turned pale with cha.
grin and rage. By his order the wound
eu knight was brought up from the
dungeon. Astonished and almost blind.
ed by the bright light, he gazed around
him. while Rosa quietly put her hand in
his. ~
MY daughter, what does this mean Yo
he said
HIS daughter! murmured the guests
once more.
Inc whole story then came out n
reconciliation was effected between tho
Knight and the baron and the property
Of the former restored to him.