The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-30
THE RETURN OF
WOLKENBURG
By MARY .RSHALL.

Long. long ago there lived in a castle
on the River Rhine old man, called
the Lord of ArGcnfcls. and his two love-
ly daughters, Nina and Bertha.
Their father, now too old to 80 to
war. or to take part in the hunt or the
tournaments which formed the work
and pastime Of the younger lords OF the
land. loved his daughters beyond all else
in the world. And, as they were as good
as they were lovely. and as beautiful as
they were good, they were we'll worth
all the love and devotion their father
gave them. The three used to spend
long. happy days together; sometimes
they wandered in the nearby woods.
Sometimes they sat together in the great
hall. before a roaring log fire, Nina and
Bertha busy with their bright colored
nccdlework, the old lord gazing at the
flames, and picturing there for his lis
tening daughters scenes of daring and
adventure in his younger life. Some
times they stood on the ramparts Of the
castle watching the ever-changing green
Rhine flicker and glimmer through the
trees.
In this quiet, uneventful way, the aged
lord and his two young daughters passed
the time very happily. Once in a while.
too. travellers stopped at the castle gate.
to ask admission, and these travellers
brought news of the life of the world.
Sometimes wandering minstrels came,
who brought with them stories of all
the doinss in the castles up and down
the Rhine along with their antics and
songs. Sometimes lords and ladies, trav-
cling from place to place. stopped at the
castle for entertainment Sometimes pill
grims, going to the Holy Land, or re-
turning home. stopped there for refresh
mcnt and a nights rest on their way.
Wayfarers were always welcomed by
the Lord of Argenfels. Pilgrims, espe-
cially. he entertained with all the cor
diality and hospitality which the castle
and its inmates could show. When he
heard that a great preacher named Ber-
nard was travelling throughout Germany
and urging men to so to Jerusalem and
fight the infidcl Saracens. the knight Of
Argenfels threw the castle gates wide
open and sent out message saying that
all crusaders were welcome there.
Il can no longer fight" the old man
explained to his daughters. My step
is too feeble to carry me to Palestine
and my arm is too weak to bear a shield.
But If 1 were ? younger man l would be
one OF the first to go. So it is my will
that all travelling crusaders who come
here be welcomed"
Busy times followed in the quiet old
castle. Bertha and Nina were occupied
from morning to night preparing for
their guests entertainment and few of
the long evenings were spent alone. Men
II any of the crusaders. rich and poor
alike. stopped on the first stage of their
long journey to rest in this hospitable
castle on the banks Of the Rhine. Il
One evening strong and handsome
young knight came to Argcnfels.
Il am the lord of wolkenburs." he
said to the lord of Argenfels. ION the
way TO join the pious Demands crusade
and / crave your hospitality till the
morning."
Welcome" said the old knight: wei |
come as long as you can stay
II must be or in the morning" said |
the young man. for I am impatient to |
begin my Journey"
Right you are" said the old knight. |
signing. "But even il I can no longer