The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-17

were ready and a neat little wagon was waiting for Undne. The knight led her forth when a girl in fishers garb stepped forward. weeping bitterly. It was Der talda, whom the Duke had disowned for her behavior 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 the castle garden near the fountain when there appeared the same man who had appeared before them in the city. Again Undine listened to him with displeasure and evidently de- nied his request, for again he withdrew in anger.
 Fear not" said Undine to Bertalda, "He shall mot harm you again. When we last met he warned me not to invite you to the castle. At that time he told me who you were. He knew well, for he is Cool-fount"
 Then Undine told her friend her secret. Bertalda listened, at first incredulously, at last with fear and that evening at supper she could not help wondering how Huldbrand could possibly love one who seemed to her more demon than hu- man being.
 Although Undine was far too gentle and loving for this feeling to reach anything more than a certain slight superstitious fear, Bertalda still grew to consider Un- dine less and less as one like herself, and as the days passed this attitude of mind led her to put less and less restraint on her love for the knight
 He, in turn, could not help admring the blooming, gracious girl, and the frequent appearances of Undine's uncanny Uncle cool-fount inspired in his breast a grow ing terror of his wife's race, from which he was glad to seek relief in the company of one who was so surely earthly as Der talda.
 Soon that young woman was practically mistress of the castle, and Undine sadly yielded to her when she found that Huld- brand was prone to decide in Bertalda's favor. Cool-fount now appeared before the knight and Bertalda often, but they were defiant They felt innocent, as neith- CT 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 beau tiful fountain in the castle garden. 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 so much more work, but l will carry the water myself rather than to leave til1S lOuHtdlu open. IchoFS ny, close it to prevent a great misfortune
 Thereupon the servants, who loved her devotedly, said no more but willingly sealed the fountain with the great slab and Undine wrote something on 1t in curl ous letters. When Huldbrand returned home Bertalda complained bitterly to him, declaring that she needed the water be- cause it was so particularly good Tor her complexion. Huldbrand called Undlne to his room. where she said You have seen how often my Uncle Cool-fount has ap- peared in the castle. Because he is soul less he cannot understand how joy and sorrow are united in love. So when he sees me weep, because you are sometimes dissatisfied with me and sees Bertalda laugh at the same time, he deems that you are making me unhappy. l have or dered him away again and again, but he will not believe me. So there was nothing left except to bar his entrance"
 Huldbrand felt the unselfishness of his wife deeply He embraced her as he had not done in long while and called her endearing names again. She clung to him and said: "Oh, my lord, promise me never to scoId me if we are on any water to- gether. If you do,. those of my blood will gain power over me and l must go to them and remain, or, if they send me back to you, 1t will be more terrible still"
 Peace and contentment seemed to reign again in Castle Ringstetten after this. Even Bertalda appreciated Undines self sacrifice in shutting out her powerful rela- tive and protector. She showed her grati- tude and exchanged her previous arro- gance for humility. Released from her turing smiles, Huldbrand's heart turned towards his wife once more So when spring came into the land 1t was in their hearts too.