Year: 1860

armed his servants, and had in a short time
a considerable force ready for action. But
he could not possibly leave the neighborhood
where all the good fortune Of bis life was
blooming, without seeing her to whom his
heart Glove with an ine1pressible attachment
He took the way towards the mill, with the
view of crossing the river at that place. In
the forest the path was already covered with
the sere leaves that had fallen from the oak
and beach trees. Here and there solitary
bird was singing amelancholy adieu to joys of
the year. A deep sadness overcame the
knight Almost incapable of thought, and
busied only with his sorrow and his love, he
reached the farther bank of the river; but
seeing no person where be so anxiously de-
sired to see one, he loitered heedlessly and
abstractediy along the way that led towards
the castle. A short distance from the castle
stood. by an old lime tree an image of the
Virgin Mary. Irmengard was standing be-
fore the image with her hands piously fol-
ded as he neared the spot. She noticed him
first because the fallen leaves rustled under
his tread, and he was looking fixedly before
him. This time she appeared not to be con-
fused at the sight of him, and was the first
to speak.


so deep IN thought, my lord of Dachau? :?
said she with sad smile, for she had alrea-
dy heard the news of his intended expedi-
ton.


Noble lady, answered Conrad, thereafter
think OF me also when you pay your devo-
ton here; for | am going to meet many dan
gers and am come to bid you adieu'
lrmengard turned pale. Isl certain then?'
she asked with trembling voice.
| 1T is certain, said he we march to-mor-
row.


Then will pray for you every day, at
this hour, before this sacred image, ,'-whis-
| pered the maiden, and her beautiful head
bent down before her breast, as the lily bends
when the rain storm has broken its fraiI
stem.


Now shall go in comfort cried Conrad
for if should ever fall in battle, | should
not be quite forgotten. Is it not true, Irmen-
gard, that you pray also for the dead
| The young lady grew paler than before
She could no longer restrain her tears, and
she held out her right hand to the knight
while with the left she dried her tears


L hope that you will return again, saic
she, and suffered the knight to retain her
hand, whilst he kissed it and shed tears up
on it.


'Irmengard,' he cried, with deep emotion
-Irmengard, this hand


snail De kept 1or you, said she, under
sudden i'm pulse and with firm tone of voic,
and retreated towards the castle with hastl
steps.


The knight returned to the monastery
with the happiness of accepted love in hi
heart. Full of exhiiarting anticipation
himself, his animation was communicated t.
to his comrades, They marched with cheer
tulness and fought valiantly under their youn
leader. Two bloody battles broke the strengt1
of the enemy and decided the contest. Tn
lord of the manor was completely vanquist
ed and some or hts poopir were tab pas,
oners, whilst the remainder was scattere
in wild disorder, and he himself, with mer
handful of followers, were driven for refug
within the strong walls of his castle Bu
alas the knight of Dachau, pursuing the fl
gitives too closely and too far of his mer
was surrounded and forced to enter wit
them the impregnable castle of Felsenburg
where he was confined close prisoner in on
of the lofty towers.