Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-02-11


perial guard, despite his massive
frame and his six feet three in his
stockings, was much perturbed in
mind. II was q fine morning in June,
and he held in his hand a 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 missive.
The face which a short hour ago
was radiant with health and cheer
fitness was now drawn and haggard.
1t was not long, this perturbing
note, and ran as follows:
my OWL darling Max-Your Eva is
broken hearted. A bolt out of the
blue has suddenly descended, blight
ing the tender flower of our happy
hope. How l wept since 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 poori
so, alasl 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 is
immensely rich. he Is of a grave,
self-cOntained aspect, and with a
heavy mustache, has a round
trimmed beard. He Is not altogether
d~ispleasing in appearance, but, my
own Max, what Of that? l do not
love him; / love you, and you only.
But papa came to me last night and
says, Baron Helm Won Grubsch has
asked for your hand. He is wealthy
and powerful. He win restore Salts
castle. You must marry him, Eva
o, my Max, the nightingale sang last
Night and I so sad. Come, o, my
own one, see my father. Tell him Of
our love, and surely he win relent.
Your loving, broken hearted,
EVA Won sALTTZ."
Max Won Veldenz decided on the
spot to obtain 3 weeks leave, and
congratulated himself on being first
4avorite with his colonel. The next
day he was speeding as fast a. an
express train could take him towards
the Ehel mountains, where above
the lovely slopes Of an upland lake
stood the castle Of Salitz, a romance
In stone EMPOWERED 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 com
trived rustic arbOr-a happy spot
known well from their childhood to
Max and Eva. It 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 q leafy
tunneling, along which he saw Eve
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 entrancingly beautiful
through that veil of fearful thought
which seemed to wrap her round.
She shrank from his embrace, aa
she would have done from a sacrilege.
His heart sank within him; he knew
he was too late.
'You are betrothed, EvaP You are
to be his wife?"
"It is so, Max. Ny father besought
me, weeping. It was so new, so
strange to see him in tears. He inn
plored, he commanded. We are
poorer than l knew. He would have
to sell the castle if l were self-wiIled,
and wander forth a 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 dreaming? Why, this
Is surely Max Won Veldenzl Why,
Max, l thought youNwere dazzling the
Berliners with yourshorsemanship or
exercising your squadron. Let me
introduce you"
Eva had gone q shade paler. Max.
when he turned, recognized the arts
~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.
eraI the Baron Helm Won Grubsch.
Captain the Baron Max Won Veldenz
We have been close neighbors all ouE
lives, general, as I have told YOU
"And now, Eva" continued the
count, when the ceremony of intro
duction was over, Ego on to the cas-,
tie with the general, while I bring NJ
the rear with Max"
"You have heard Of Eva'a betrothal
Rax?" said the count as soon as the
others were out Of hearing. "She 4
% be congratulated, dear girl. The
general Is a fine fellow, and immense.
rich"
The count leant with 3 tender EN-.
uhasis on the last two words.