Year: 1879




A COURAGEOUS WOMAN.


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


We spent days and weeks together,
driving about the grand old city of eva
derland," and yet my warm-hearted host
was always finding something yet unex-
Plored, which 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 I 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 l 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 20
must. So he procured an invitation for
himself, wife and guest, to grand enter.
tainment which the Countess Wolsrein
had announced would come off at her
house the following night.


We went. l can assure you it was a
brilliant affair, and enjoyed myself very
much. But what interested me most was
the story which the affable lady of the
house related at the supper-table, and
which l now make the substance of this
sketch. I give it to you, not in her own
words, it is true, but as nearly like she
told it to the assembled guests as I 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
gortenhaus, some miles from the CITY.
The building was not in very good re-
pair, but would do for a 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 its custy
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 liveried footmen and maid
servants which thronged their town resi-
dence, only three had been allowed to
accompany them to their country domi-
clle. These were cook, lady's maid,
and a man-of- -all-work, the latter acting as
gardener, groom, coachman and Grand
boy.


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


Her husband was away for a whole
week-much longer than usual. During
his stay in the city party was given BY
man living in the neighborhood of my
ladys gartenhause, 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 q
single male protector. But she did not
fear to sleep thus alone in the isolated
house, for she'possessed a goodly share of
true courage. and an enviable amount of
nerve.


The weather was quite warm-at least
the air OF the rooms seemed to indicate
it; but refreshing breeze ever played
over the elevated site Of this residence,
and this, combined with the moonlight,
which bathed the landscape in flood of
gold and silver rays, as it stretched away
right and left in the valley: led her to
seek the piazza for comfort. In silence
she sat there, slowly rocking back and
forth, and drinking IN the beauty of the
scene. Her maid, complaining of a severe
headache, asked leave to 90 in and lie
down until her mistress should be ready
to retire. The countess was a kind
hearted lady, and forthwith babe her 90
to her room and seek her couch for the
night, remarking that she would act as
her own femme de-chambre on the present
occasion.


The girl did as directed, and was soon
fast asleep, Notwithstanding her pain
After the departure of her maid, Count
ess Wolstein sat alone, absorbed in silent
musings, for full an hour. During all
this time the large windows of her
sleeping apartment were standing wide
open, to let tho cool breeze circulate
through the chamber, ana fan out the
heated air which aad accumulated there
during the day. Her reverie ended, my
lady rose from her chair and stepped in
to her boudolr. A large wax taper was
burning brightly on her bureau, while on
either side of it a rich bouquet shed fra
GRANGE through the atmosphere. Taking
up a jeweled writing desk of rosewood,
inlaid with ivory, she now seated herself
near a half-closed window, and began
writing letter to a lady friend in Berlin.
While thus busily engaged she heard
sudden noise as of something falling from
table to the floor. She glanced care
lessly at the Shaded spot on the CARPET.
just beneath the table. Nothing could
be perceived. Satisfied that whatever
mad fallen was Of little moment, she was
about to resume her writing when a
finger was barely pushed outside the
cover of the counterpane hanging from
her bed, and silver spur, which had be.
fore escaped her observation, was quickly
drawn by it out of sight. The embroid
cred white counterpane hung to within
an inch or two of the carpet, and beneath
the fringe which bordered it this unmis
takably human hand had been protruded.
Of the owner thereof she had a good
idea, for, in the very hasty glimpse which