Year: 1877

At length all again was quiet, and
q solemness reigned in the old castle.
Olivia was upon the point or speak
lag when she heard something that
sounded like footstep In the long
corridor. She was soon satisfied
that the step was approaching her door.
1t cams with a slow, cautious tread ;
1t was too heavy for any Of the fe-
male attendants, and too careful for
any ono on proper business.
Johanna had now heard the step.
and without speaking she moved
nearer to her mothers side. The
great lamp that stood upon the side
board cast u sickly glare around upon
the heavy crimson drapery OF tho
apartment. and by its light they
could sec each others countenances.
They were both pale in the extreme,
and they both showed the signs OF
deep fear.


Nearer came those slow, cautious,
heavy steps, and more closely did
Johanna cling to her mother. The
rain battered upon the windows, and
the wind howled its monody about
the angles OF the massive walls. 1t
was a momen.of strange emotions.


At length there was hushing OF
the football. and then there came
light rap upon the tapestried door.
Neither the mother nor the daughter
moved or spoke. Each seemed
waiting for the other, and neither OF
them dared to move. For a few mo-
nents all was silent save the conten-
ton without. and then again came
the low tapping at the door.


Mother" whispered Johanna. who
can 1t be that seeks admittance at
this timer Who that should visit US
In this manner?"


Il know not my child" tremblingly
returned the baroness 1t must be q
man, for the step was very heavy


Again there was rap-this time
mechanically the baron
ess bade the applicant enter. The
door was slowly opened, and on the
next moment tall powerful form
stood within the room. Johanna
gazed up at the intruder. and in
moment she recognized the form and
features OF waldeck. The wet was
from his garments. and the
black ostrich plume he wore In his
hat dropping beneath Its load OF rain.


In an instant Johanna's fears were
gone. However fearful and terrible
may have been the character OF the
man before her, she knew that he
was one whom she helped save from
death, and she felt confident thet he
had come to be kind to her. His
face, even as 1t beamed upon her
now, as kind in its expression, and
turning to her mother, who was near
fainting with terror. she said:


Fear not, my mother. This Is
waldeck; and / know he has not
come to harm u.s."


"Harm you. noble ladies' pro-
nounced Waldeck, In tone so deep
that it made the place tremble. mo,
no, have come to assist you. Wal
deck does not harm helpless females.
/ pray you. my lady Olivia, to rest
easy In my presence


There was something In the mas
sive brow OF the Notwithstanding
In his great black eye-something In
his bold. open look. and something In
his tones. that inspired respectful
awe, and under such circumstances
cringing fear can find no place Ia the
soul. The baroness even so far re-
covered herself as to offer the
strange man a seat, and as he sat
down In 1t and removed his hat. she
began to feel soree OF her daughters
assurance. frt..


Il have no doubt" said Waldeck,
@that you are both wondering why !
am here; but I can see upon your
countenances that few things can
cause you more fear than that which
is thrown about you without the visit
Of strangers. came to help you II
can" $50


~But how gained you admittance to
the castle'" asked Johanna, who
could not overcome her curiosity on
that particular point. 81