Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-01-08

DARON MAX Won VELDENZ, Of
u the cavalry of the German i'm
perial guard, despite his massive
frame and his six feet three in his
stockings, was much perturbed in
mind. 1t was fine morning in June,
and he held in his hand dainty note
which had come to him by the first
Berlin post He had got away from
the mess table to mediate in the pri-
vacy of his own rooms on the missivs
The face which short hour ago
was radiant with health and cheer
fulness was now drawn and haggard.
1t was not long, this perturbins
note, and ran as follows:
"My own darling Max-Your Eva ia
broken hearted. A bolt out OF the
blue has suddenly descended, blight
ing the tender flower of our happy
hope. How wept siuce the news of
doom came over Goethe's Violet so
cruelty crushed by the callous and
needless stranger! But, dearest
Max, the Won Salitz family is poor;
so, alas! ever dear one. are you. But
still what happiness seemed in store
for loving hearts until Gen. Helm Won
Grubsch came herel He Is one Of the
Won Grubsches of Dusseldorf, and IL
immensely rich. He is of u, grave,
self-contained aspect, and with q
heavy mustache, has round
trimmed beard. He is not altogether
displeasing in appearance, but, my
own Max, what of that2 | 90 not
love him; love you, and you only.
But papa came to me last night and
gays. Baron Helm Won Grubsch has
asked for your hand. He is wealthy
and powerful. He will restore Salitz
castle. You must marry him, Eva
o. my Max, the nightingale sang last
night, and l so sad. Come, o, my
own one. see my father. Tell him Of
our love, and surely he will relent.
Your loving, broken hearted
EVA Won SALITZ."
Max Won Veldenz decided on the
spot to obtain a weeks leave, and
congratulated himself on being first
favorite with his colonel. The next
day he was speeding as fast as an
express train could take him towards
the Eiffel mountains, where above
the lovely slopes of an upland lake
stood the castle of Salitz, romance
il stone embowered in a fairyland of
forest
Along the edge of the deep trans
lucent lake there ran a sylvan path,
with here and there a cunningly con-
trived rustic arbor--a happy spot
known well from their childhood to
Max and Eva. 1t stood midway be-
tween the rugged grandeur of
Veldenz castle and the picturesque
structure which was the home of the
last Won Salitz. This sylvan path
stretched now before Max like a leafy
tunneling, along which he saw Eva
advancing swiftly to meet him. But
how sad, disconsolate she looked,
how different from the Eva of the
joyous Easter tide. His loving heart
yearned towards her in her sorrow,
became more entrancingly beautiful
through that veil of fearful thought
which seemed to wrap her round.
She shrank from his embrace, as
she would have done from a sacrilege.
His heart sank within him; he knew
he was too late.
You are betrothed, Eva2 You are
to be his wife?"
ut is so, Max. My father besought
me. weeping. 1t was so new, SO
strange to see him in tears. He i'm
plored, he commanded. We are
poorer than I knew. He would have
to sell the castle if I were self-willed
and wander forth beggar. All, Max,
it was terrible to hear him talk So,
he, my father"
He scarcely knew what to say. He
owed something to himself, he
thought. but her distress stirred him
deeply. He would make one more
effort to rescue her from the
clutches of Mammon. But here his
reflection was brusquely interrupted
by a resonant voice.
"Why, am I dreaming2 Why, this
is surely Max Won Veldenzl Why,
Max, I thought you were dazzling the
BerIiners with your craftsmanship or
exercising your squadron. Let me
introduce you"
Eva had gone shade paler. Max,
when he turned, recognized the aris-
tocratic face and figure of Count Won
Salitz Beside him stood a military
looking man, whom he guessed from
Eva's description to be his rival.
Permit me-" said the count. Gen
eral the Baron Helm Won Grubsch,
CAPTAIN the Baron Max Won Veldenz.
We have been close neighbors all our
lives. general, as have told you."
And now, Eva" continued the
count, when the ceremony of intro
duction was over, go on to the cas-
tie with the general. while bring up
the rear with Max"
you have heard of Eva's betrothal,
Max?" said the count as soon as the
others were out of hearing. "She is
to be congratulated, dear girl. The
general is a fine fellow, and immense
ly rich"
The count leant with a tender en-
phasis on the last two words.
81 have heard" said Max. But is
it too late, count2"
What too later" calculated the
other.
You must know" said Max, that
I have loved Eva ever since we were
children. And, count, that affection
Of mine was returned. Is it not hard
to separate our hearts, countP 1 am
not rich, but 1 have enough, and who
knows?-some of my mothers broth
ers are wealthy. Count, do you know
how sad you have made life for me
and Eva? Is there no way OUT
S,,relv IT, is not too late"