The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-17

dine took up her lute and sang. The Duke listened with face in which as- tonishment became more and more marked The song told of child tnas had been cast ashore by the waters and found by cavalier riding along the strand. At last when she named hfm he cried: You are right, fair ladys That Is how I found out Bertalda. Bus who was she? Know |ou thatr'
 %yes." said Undine. delighted. With a face full of joy she beckoned. The old fisherman and hiA wife stepped forth and held their arms out to Ber- taida. But Bertalda started back with a cry of contempt and called them cheats. The fisherman iUfded his hands and prayed that she might turn out not to be his daughter after all; bus his wife knew of two birthmarks and the Duke insisted that she tell what they were. It was not long before he declared himself satisfied.
 The company had gathered in groups some incredulous. others believ~ ing, but all looking strangely at Un~ dine. She stood up and said in tone that was at once humble and proud: "You people who look at me so disturb ed and angrily did not know of your foolish customs and your cruel beliefs till I heard what you said. That 1 have done this in wrong way Is nos my fault, believe me. bat yours"
 The guests took their leave in si- fence and the Duke and Duchess de parted with Bertalda and the old pe0- pie. Huldbrand might have wished that the occurrence had not been; out he was proud of the simple. loving brave heart that his wife had shown So he thought of nothing save to stil' her tears and to leave the city at onc~ that she might not be annoyed.
 With the first light of dawn his sauires were ready and neat little wagon was waiting for Undne. ThS knight led her forth. when girl in fishers garb stepped forward, weep ing bitterly. It was Bertalda, whom the Duke had disowned for her be- havior to her newly found parents She was on her way to the fishers hut and Undine at once insisted that she go with them.
 In A few days they arrived at Castle Ringstetten. That evening the two young women were strolling In tho castle garden near the fountain when there apeared the same man who had snpeared before them In the city. Again Undin listened to him with dis" measure and evidently denied his re- quest, for again he withdrew in an- ger.
 Fear not" said Undine to Bertalda "He shall not harm you again. When we last met he warned me not to in- vite you to the castle. At that time he told me who you were, He Knew well, for he Is Cool-fount.
 Then TJndine told her friend her se- cret Bertalda listened, as first incred- ulously. at last with fear: and that evening at supper she could not nelp wondering how Huldbrand could pos | sibIy love one who seemed to her more a demon than a human being.
 | Although Undine was far too gentle and loving for this feeling to reach | anything more than certain slight superstitious fear. Bertalda still grew l to consider Undine less and less as one like herself. and as the days passed ] this attitude of mind led her to put | Iass and less restraint on her love for l the knight. He. in turn. could not help admiring | the blooming. gracious girl and the l freuuent appearances of Undines un- canny Uncle Cool -fount inspired in ms
 breast a growing terror of his wire
 race. from which he was glad to seek,
 relief in the company of one who was
 so surely earthly as Bertalda.
 Soon that young woman was practi- eallv mistress of the castle. and Undine | sadly yielded to her when she found | that Huldbrand was prone to decide in
 Bertalda's favor. Coolfount now ap- peared before the knight and Bertalda | often, but they were defiant. They felt innocent, as neither had uttered word | of love to the other. and though the girl was frightened. she would not leave the castle.
 One day Undine ordered the servants to get great stone slab and close the beautiful fountain in the castle gar den. When they urged that 1t was the only fountain in the place. and that they would have to get water from far below in the valley, she said sadly: T am sorry that it will cause you SO much more work. but will carry the | water myself rather than to leave this fountain open. Believe me, close it l Co prevent a great misfortune"
 ThereuDon the sarvAnLA whn loved