The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28

who, save for one exclamation of Take care of the Lady Isabella," was silent un- til a peasant lad in the throng, which now crowded the courtyard, remarked that the miraculous helmet was exactly like the one which crowned the great statue of Alfonso the Good in the neigh boring church.
 'TVillain, what sayest thou?' cried Man fred, In rage awakening from his trance and seizing the young man by the collar. How dare you utter such treason? Thy life shall pay for itI' The young peas- ant, who In spite of his plebeian garb had noble bearing, a bright and stead fast eye and comedy features, was as- tonished at the outbreak on the part of the prince. With grace and dignity he extricated himself from the grip of Man fred, and, lowing low, inquired how he had offended. But Manfred called upon his attendants to seize the man and. had some of the princess companions not pre- vented him. he would have poniarded the youth with his own hand. Meantime some of the spectators who had heard the words of the youth had run to the church, and now came hastening back, saying that the helmet was gone from the statue of Alfonso. Manfred at this grew more frantic still, and crying out Mon sterl villaini sorcererl It is thou who hast done this thingl It is thou who hast killed my sonl' he ordered that the peas- ant be placed beneath the fallen helmet, and there left to starve to death.
 The unreasoning mob began to join in abuse of the peasant. saying; "Ay. ay, 1t is hel He has stolen the helmet of AL fonso the Good and dashed out our young princes brains with itl" That the i'm mense size of the helmet rendered this the height of absurdity made no differ ence. All mobs are compounded of silli- ness and savagery, and that of Otranto was no exception. Meanwhile the news Of her sons death having been carried to Hippolta, the good princess was pros Tate with sorrow, and was assisted to her bed by the grief-stricken Matilda and the loving Isabella, to whom she had been like a mother.
 In the midst of her own grief the Prin- cess Hippolita was not unmindful of the distress which she fancied her husband must be feeling, and at her entreaty, Ma tilda, commenting her mother to the care of Isabella, sought the chamber to which Manfred had retired alone and where he was walking up and down with agitated steps. ''Who is it?" asked the prince angrify as he opened the door in response to Matilda's timid knock. My dearest father. 1t is I. your daughter said the girl. "Begone. do not want daughter" replied Manfred savagely, hinging back abruptly into the chamber and clapping to the door. Recovering herself from the shock of so bitter a reception, Matilda returned to her mother and. unwilling to add to her grief, assured her that the prince was well and bore his affliction with fortitude. But will he not let me see himr' pleaded Hippolita- May not mingle my tears with his ownY'
 Just then 8 servant entered with a mes sage from Manfred to the Lady Isabella, ordering her to come to him at once. "Go," said Hippolita to the astonished girl, The thinks you are less disordered than we are and dreads the shock of my grief. Console him. my dear Isabella, and tell him that I will suppress my own sorrow rather than to add to his" Man fred was pacing up and down a great and gloomy Gothic gallery when Isabella came to him. Dry your tears," said the prince abruptly. You have lost a bride groom. Yes, cruel fate. and I have lost the hopes of my race. But Conrad was not unworthy of your love. of your beau ty." How. my lord?'' cried Isabella. do you suspect me of not feeling the concern ought7 My intended husband" Think no more of him." cried Manfred, 'he was sickly. a puny child. It is bet ter as 1t is. I hope In a few years to have reason to rejoice at the death of Conrad"
 Words cannot paint the astonishment and dismay of Isabella. At first she thought that grief had unhinged the mind of the prince and he had gone mad. q shall always treasure the memory of Con- rad" she replied as calmly as she could land shall regard Hippolita and yourself as my parents" "A curse on Hippolita," ]" l moment as do. In short, lady, you shall now have a husband in the prime of life, who will know how to value your beauty and who may expect a numerous off, l spring." Fiercely did the prince pour 1 forth his designs. He would divorce Hip- | polita and take Isabella to wife. He seized upon the girls hand who, half dead l with amazement and terror, shrieked and started from him. Heaven or hell shall not impede ny designr' cried Manfred starting to pursue the fleeing girl.
 Upon the wall of the gallery opposite Manfeld was picture of his grand. 1 father Ricardo. Scarce had the Prince | taken two steps in pursuit of Isabella l when the figure in the frame heaved | deep and delorous sigh. Manfred paused and his affrighted eyes became fixed upon | this portrait of his ancestor while Isa-
 bella, escaping from the room, fled
 through the passages of the castle seek
 ing some place of safety. Manfred saw
 the picture of his grandfather begin to
 move and then, slowly and with a melan-
 chony air 1t descended from It's panel
 Do dreaml" exclaimed the Prince, Tor
 are the devils themselves leagued against
 me? Speak, internal spectre, why dosi
 thou conspire against thy wretched de
 scendant?" For reply the figure made a
 motion for Manfred to follow it ana
 glided toward the other end of the gal
 lery. Lead onl'' cried Manfred, T will
 follow thee to the gates of perdition '