Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-14

with animated and uneasy gestures, pushing their chairs aside. The bride- groom was the first to rise. He lifted his glass and seemed about to drink, when suddenly he threw 1t violently. to the ground. and. seizing knife. flung 1t into the bosom of his bride. The girl fell back with scream, and hor- ror-stricken Sultana watched her life blood oozing down her white satin gown. In haste the youth rushed across the table, smeared his hands in the warm blood and to Sultana's terror approached her with humble and be- seeching air, showing her by his ges- lures that he was begging of her to touch his blood-stained hands with hers. Sultana, almost beside herself with fright, tried to rush out of the hall, but all the assembly gathered round her, and, falling on their knees, showed by signs that they were implor- ing her to fulfill the young mans re- quest.
 When Sultana returned to her moth- CTS house at dawn the old woman stood aghast at her scared face. "The full moon has done you some harm after all. How your hands burn. You must come to bed at once" For some days Sultana remained unconscious; then delirium seized her. She raved continually about the unknown youth and the scene which had taken place in the haunted castle.
 "She has gone mad" said the neigh bors to each other, as one by one they came to inquire and saw the poor girl throwing her arms over her head or hiding her face in her hands and cry ing bitterly.
 Yet Sultana recovered. She never alluded to what was uppermost in her thoughts. Soon after she had regained her usual health she resolved to ques- tion an old witch, who was supposed to be we'll versed in magic of all kinds Having entered her miserable little hut, which was filled with all kinds of curious looking objects, she sat down on low stool before the fire and said: T am told you possess powers unusual to most people. have, therefore, come to ask you to tell me all you know about the haunted castle lying at the foot of our village. If you do not know its history. can you not by your magic spells find it out?"
 The old witch answered: "I know its history and will tell it you. Three hundred years ago the son of a mighty hoyard (Roumanian chieD who inhab- ited the castle fell in love with a beau tiful peasant girl. His parents, of course, opposed the marriage and be- trothed the unhappy youth to the daughter of another hoyard, who was immensely wealthy and powerful. The poor peasant girl poisoned herself be- fore the marriage took place. On the very eve of the ceremony the youth en- treated his fiancee to release him from his engagement. She was bad and heartless woman, who laughed in his face, and taunted him. telling him that she was quite content to possess his riches without possessing his heart And then at large dinner given in honor of the bride-'
 Stop! I know the rest; he stabbed her"
 'I see you have heard the tale be- fore" said the witch. Do you also know that the wretched souls of these people who died so long ago return by night and haunt the castle hall, where they are bound to go through the ter rible scene continually until some liv- ing girl, who resembles the girl the youth loved. will consent ts touch the young mans blood-stained hands? This is the only means of lifting his heavy curse and frightful punishment. It is likely to last forever, as he will never find human being capable of such sacrifice. as the instant she touches his blood-stained hands she must die"
 A week after this conversation had taken place, Sultana was found dead in the hall of the ruined castle and car ried tenderly by her people to her home. All who saw her were struck by the peaceful and happy look on her face. and few days later, at her funeral. the astonished peasants mo- ticed the presence of a tall and ex- tremely handsome youth. wrapped fin long black cloak, who spoke to no one. but fingered by the grave after all the others had left
 The priest, whose cottage overlooked the cemetery, related that he saw the mysterious youth lie down on the freshly filled grave and slowly sink Into the earth that covered Sultana. CALIFORNIA TOMATO PLANTS