The Washington times., 1920-12-05

carriage with echong sound Then came to halt in
courtyard surrounded all sides by lofty gray stone
walls, pierced by Gothic windows. Over the main
carved in the escutcheon of the ancient
family that possessed this stronghold.
Hungry and desiring to rest alghted and passed in
few old of gloomy aspect surrounded and
guided me to my chamber now found that was prac-
tically prisoner.
asked where was and learned that my prison was
ancient stronghold of Count Hubert Colloredo-
Mannsfeld, distant cousin of my husband 1t called
Schoss Debrek-the Castle of Debrek The noted family
which possessed belonged to the medatized group,
and enjoyed rights Of equality with royalty in Austria.
They maintained small independent army their
tates and conducted themselves like feudal
nobility than any family met in Europe. One Count of
the Cooredo Mansfield house married Miss Nora Isen,
of the well-known New York family but she
permitted to share the full rank Of the medatzed house
The house of Pourtaes to which my first husband be-
longed enjoys among many other dgntes the rank OF
Count in Bohemia, honor conferred in ancient times
They formerly had castle Of their in the country
and had for centuries ntermarred and associated with
the Colloredo- Mannsfelds.
l dined alone in immense stone-vaulted ball
adorned with and tapestries Grim and silent
tainers waited upon me. The only light came from
dies which feeble and Pickering light suggesting
ing gloom
BY candle light was escorted to my bedroom high in
the castle tower. 1t gloomy than the
dining hail. After hour two of restless Sleep
awoke with the impression that had been leaning
my face. Then heard rustling sound like the
fntterng of heavy wings, and easement window swung
on its hinges spent the rest of the night awoke and
wondering helplessy what was happening in my room
The next day learned from servant that the people
of this land believed that their country inhabited by
vampires. those legendary beings who dying after
wicked fe supposed through the help Of Satan to
leave their graves at night and to keep evil vitality
by sucking the blood of living
The idea interested me exceedingly, for was ever
eager to investigate the strange and gruesome. must
confess that found my sleep disturbed nightly by unac-
countabe shapes and noises, and that morning after
morning my vitality strangely weakened. During
the gmpscs obtained Of the countryside, always closely
guarded saw many old moss grown buildings under the
shadow Of lofty crags that seemed fit to be the lurking
places Of ghosts and demons Weeks passed by and the
goomncss Of the place began TO pail more and more upon
Bold and independent was, my spirit began TO
weaken under this system of loneliness and terror. |
wanted to be back amid the warmth and gayetes Of society
more, and felt indignant with my husband for the
punishment he had inflicted upon felt that my life
in danger.
At the end Of three months he for me. He be.
haved very aectonaey and evidently sorry for the
cruel trick he had played on me.
~ wanted you to have thorough rest ma cherie, and
to lot that unpleasant affair be forgotten entirely was
the way he tried 10 explain things.