Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-01-20

Rhine sees high up on the peaks or
either bank ruins Of castles that sew
eral centuries ago were the homes Of
feudal barons. One Of an imaginative
turn of mind may picture those strong
holds peopled with gayly dressed men
and women, soldiers and servants.
There lived the baron. descending now
and again to the river. collecting trib-
ute from merchants passing up and
down, the lions share of which he took
for himself, distributing the rest among
those who did his bidding.
In one of those castles, which now
stands out against the sky a lonely
ruin, dwelt the Baron Rudolf Eden
reid Below it little stream flows
into the Rhine, and the baron had
boat station concealed by overhanging
trees a short distance from its mouth.
When a craft loaded with merchan-
disc was seen coming a party would
90 down to this station and get out the
boats, and when the merchant came
opposite the mouth Of the creek would
shoot out to levy tribute. Some
times the merchant would be pro-
tected by armed men; then there
would be a fight, but the baronial Gus
tom house usually won, and the mer-
chant would be forced to pay the duty.
Among the Rhine maidens Of that
time was Bertha, the baron's daughter.
At times when her father was not at
home, when a merchantmen was seen
coming, she would take command Of
the revenue party and lead them to
collect the tribute. She was greatly
admired by all the men at arms In the
castle. who would not willingly permit
any harm to come to her. But she was
brave as the rest of them, and when
she was excited by a contest to pro-
tect her was no easy matter. for she
would often distance her supporters in
moving against an enemy.
So great was Bertha's military ardor
that she avowed no man should wed
her who could not conquer her. She
went so far as to wear on her left
breast ruby cut in the shape Of a
heart to signify that any man who
aspired to her hand must be able to
place the point Of his sword at the
spot underneath which her heart was
beating.
One morning a party Of horsemen
was seen ascending the height on
| which the castle stood. The baron was
away, and when these men entered the
| postern and stood in the courtyard Ber-
tina, looking from a easement, surveyed
| IL t.
slenderly made, but very symmetrical
His face was Of an intellectual cast,
and his long fair hair fell from be,
meath his velvet plumed cap over his
lace collar. Altogether he formed q
very pleasing picture to the eyes OF
the maiden. But the massive muscles
that could WELD a lance or a battleal
were wanting, and his was a strength
of intellect rather than of flesh. Der
tina opened the easement, saluted the
young man and asked the reason fol
his coming. He announced himself a!
Count Hubert Rheinhart, a messen
ger Of the king, and he had come t
demand on the part of his majesty ,
hundred armed men to join his arm,
|
Bertha replied that her father was alb
sent, but the messenger and his retinu,
were welcome to remain in the castl'
till the baron's return. The count &C
cepted the invitation, and he and hi
followers were housed and their horses
stabbed
Now, the barons Of those days usual
ly yielded military service to the KIM
grudgingly. The kingdom, composed
of separate provinces, was loose joint
ed, and the sovereign found it Difficult
to enforce his DEGREES. Bertha, know
ing that her father would rather re
main at home and increase his wealt
by hii descents upon unlucky way
farers, sent a messenger at once ad
vising him of the kings demand, s
that he might If he chose remain ava
until the party, weary with waiting
should go on to collect men and arm
elsewhere
But this was not the only reason 70
the girls action. From the moment sh
caught sight of the fair haired coun
the spark of love entered her bosor
and she decided to keep him as long a
! possible in the castle. So it was tina
Count Hubert was detained to ia
under the spell Of one full of woman
witchery REINFORCED by great beauty
+ But the pity of 1t was that to win he
he must be able to touch the large
heart on her breast with the point G
q his sword Unfortunately. his trainin
was rather In diplomacy than In feat
of arms.
= When the little god enters the heal
he does moi always make himse
known. Bertha was conscious of
commotion under the ruby, but did ne
realize what it was. She regarded It 9
: a desire to attract the count as sh
;. had attracted other men. give him ii
opportunity to win her she had give
them and beat him at the same gam
: So she entertained him royalty an
a soon made him forget his errand In IL
pleasur he took in her company. Fl
escort, being provided with all the
I wanted. were in no hurry to go on. B
sides. it was observed that they had L
will other than that of their leade
4 whom they treated with great respec
y Now and again Baron Eidenreid SCI
messenger to ask If the party ha
gone, and Bertha replied that the