Year: 1879

hoch-a-Dye, paOy, Iny cTaule Is green


A COURAGEOUS WOMAN.


At Berlin, the capital of Prussia, was
stopping with the young banker, Richard
Eswold.


We spent days and weeks together,
driving about the grand old city of IVA
derland," and yet my warm-hearted host
was always finding something yet unex-
plored, which I must not fail to see be-
fore leaving the place. Thus my depar-
ture was postponed from week to week,
until I began to think 1 might almost
as we'll become citizen of the capital.
l could not remain there longer. Vari-
Gus things combined to render my going
away absolutely imperative, and told
my host that his generosity must not be
taxed further, as should positively leave
on certain day. He was sorry to part
with me, but at the same time determin-
ed to show me one mere phase of society
life there ere went for good, if 60 l
must. So he procured an invitation for
himself, wife and guest, to grand enter
tainment which the Countess Wolstein
had announced would come off at her
house the following night.


We went. I can assure you it was a
brilliant affair, and enjoyed myself very
much. But what interested me most was
the story which the afable lady of the
house related at the supper-table, and
which now make the substance of this
sketch. give it to you, not in her own
words, it is true, but as nearly like she
told it to the assembled guests as can,
after so long time.


During the previous summer the count
and countess had left Berlin and taken up
their residence for few months at a
gartenhaus, some miles from the city.
The building was not in very good re-
pair, but would do for temporary So
journ, as it was airy and quite countri-
fed.


Here eight weeks passed in uninter-
rupted happiness, away from the unceas-
ing turmoil of the city, with it's dusty
streets and sultry air. Political affairs
frequently called the count from home
for short periods, thus leaving his wife
almost alone in the old house; for of all
the army of iveried footmen and maid
servants which thronged their town resi-
dence, only three had been allowed to
accompany them to their country domi-
cile. These were cook, lady's maid,
and man -of-all-work, the latter acting as
= gardener, groom, coachman and errand-
boy.


1t was on one Of these occasions of the
counts absence that the Countess VOL
stein met with the adventure 1 have men
toned as being the subject of her story
at the feast.


Her husband was away for whole
week-much longer than usual. During
his stay in the city party was given by
man living in the neighborhood of my
lady's qarte7lhause, to which her servants
were invited. Having asked permission
to attend, all were allowed that privilege
save the maid who waited on her person
ana they left the chateau with the under
standing that they would not return
before the next morning.


Thus the countess was left without J..
single male protector. But she did no
fear to sleep thus alone in the isolated
house, for she possessed goodly share o
true courage. and an enviable amount o.
nerve.


The weather was quite warm-at leas
the air of the rooms seemed to indicat
it; but refreshing breeze ever playet
over the elevated site of this residence
and this, combined with the moouligh,
which, bathed the landscape in flood o
gold and silver rays, as it stretched ava,
right and left in the valley; led her t
seek the piazza for comfort. In silenc
she sat there, slowly rocking back ant
forth, and drinking IN the beauty Of tn
Fl. scene. Her maid, complaining Of a sever
: headache, asked leave to 60 in and Ii
,s7own until her mistress should be read,
to retire. The countess was kind
T.. hearted lady, and forthwith bade her e
to her room and seek her couch for tn
night, remarking that she would act a
her own femme de-chambre on the presen
occasion.


The girl did as directed, and was 500
fast asleep, Notwithstanding her pair
After the departure of her maid, Coun
ess Wolstein sat alone, absorbed in siler
musings, for full an hour. During a
this time the large windows of he


sleeping apartment were standing wild
open, to let the cool breeze circulat


through the chamber, anu fan out tt
heated air which had accumulated thel


during the day. Her reverie ended. m


lady rose from her chair and stepped il


to her boudoir. A large wax taper WI


burning brightly on her bureau, while 9


either side of it rich bouquet shed fr


GRANGE through the atmosphere. Takin


up jeweled writing desk of rosewood


inlaid with ivory, she now seated hherse


near haH-closed window, and begd


writing a letter to lady friend inBerli


While thus busily engaged she heard


sudden noise as of something falling fro
: table to the floor. She glanced car


lessy at the shaded spot on the carpe


just beneath the table. Nothing cou,