The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-23

u. 7
her intrusion and desires?
But lie said nothing, and Sultana
was beginning to feel weary OF the un-
changing spectacle and the silence OF
the dazzling company. when suddenly
the strains OF music were again heard,
Wild. weird music, which seemed as II
1t would rend the violins. AT the same
moment a strong smell of roses per-
vaded the room and the guests all rose
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, SELLING knife, flung
1t into the bosom of his bride. The
girl fell back with a scream, and
horror 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 ter.
ror approached her with q humble and
besceching air, showing her by his
gestures 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 heir knees,
showed by signs that they were I'M
ploring her to fulfill the young mans
request.
When Sultana returned to her moth
er's house at dawn the old woman
stood aghast ut her scared face. 1.-THE
full moon has done you some harm
afer 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 sultann recovered. She never
| alluded to what was uppermost In her
| thoughts. Soon after she had regained
her usual health she resolved to ques-
ton an old witch, who was supposed
to be well 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: II am told you possess
powers unusual to most people. I 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
The old witch answered.: II know
its history and will tell 1t to you. Three
hundred years ago the son OF a mighty
hoyard (Roumanian chief who inhab-
tied the CASTLE fell in love with 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
entreatd his fancee to release him
from his engagement. She was bad
and heartless woman who laughed
in his face. and tainted him, telling
him that she was quite content tc
possess his riches without possessing
his heart. And then at large dinner
given in honor OF the bride"
, Stop! ! know the rest; he stabbed
her"
II 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 b,
night and haunt the castle hall, where
they are bound to go through the ter
r!ble scene continually until some liv
. Ing girl. who resembles the girl thu
? youth loved will consent to touch tn,
: young mans biood-stained hands
= heavy curse and frightful punishment
= It is likely to last forever. as he vii
= never find human being capable o
such a sacrifice. as the instant sh
q touches his blood-stained hands sh
4 must die"
o A week after this conversation ha,
8 taken place, Sultana was found dea,
q in the hall Of the ruined castle an
Q carried tenderly by her people to he
n home. All who saw her were strucl
q by the peaceful and happy look on he
n face and few days later, at he
d funeral, the astonished peasants no
p ticed the presence of tall and ex
: tremely handsome youth. drapped Il
q a long black cloak, who spoke to n
d one. but fingered by the grave afte
$ all the others had left
Q The priest, whose cottage overlooke
# the cemetery, related that he saw til
a mysterious youth lie down on tn
3, freshly filled grave and slowly sin
d into the earth that covered Sultana
II Copyright, 1906. by Joseph B. Bowles.