The Orpheus C. Kerr Papers, Series 2
LETTER LXXVIII.
IN WHICH THE STORY TOLD BY THE GERMAN MEMBER OF THE COSMOPOLITAN CLUB IS DULY REPORTED.
WASHINGTON, D. C., November 12th, 1862.
Herr Tuyfeldock, my boy, the high-Dutch cosmopolitan, supernaturalizedthe last meeting of the club with his old-fashioned story of
HERMANN, THE DEMENTED.
"At the base of a lofty mountain, and overshadowed by its beetlingcliffs, stood a rude hut, built of heavy logs, and surmounted by aroof, the eaves of which descended in broad scollops over the windowsof the tenement, and gave it the appearance of a small boy wearing hisfather's hat. In the surrounding scenery there was a wild grandeur andmagnificence with which no work of art would have been in keeping.Immediately in the rear of the humble habitation, abruptly rose one ofa range known as the Hartz Mountains, stretching far away toward thewest in waves of bright and shadowy emerald, as the light fell uponthem, and covered with gloomy forests, peopled with unblest spirits bythe legends of olden times. In front and on both sides, spreading outits vast expanse of verdant soil, until it appeared to meet with thehorizon, was a noble plain, bearing scattered clumps of trees, throughwhich a few isolated huts were discernable. It was like Light and Shademeeting, with the hut under the cliff to mark their boundaries.
"Evening had just begun to tint the fragrant air with her sombre hues,when a figure was apparent, moving over the plain in the direction ofthe lonely domicil, and, as it approached nearer, the muscular form andpleasing features of a young hunter were visible. He was exceedinglytall, yet symmetrical in every limb, and quick in his movements as achamois on its native hills. His dress comprised a coat and leggins ofblue material, ornamented with silver buttons, a pair of heavy boots,and a narrow-brimmed straw hat, from which a wolf's tail depended. Hecarried a long rifle, and a bag for small game swung, with a powderflask, or horn, at his side.
"Arriving in front of the hut, he paused a moment to examine somefootprints on the soil, and then tapped gently at the door with thebutt of his piece. In an instant it was opened by a beautiful girl,with light blue eyes, flaxen curls, and a complexion of pure red andwhite, who, though dressed in the coarsest attire, yet looked and shonea perfect goddess of the solitude.
"'Dearest Marcella,' exclaimed the hunter, seizing her extended hand,and carrying it to his lips with all the ardor of a lover.
"'I feared you were not coming to-night, Wilhelm,' answered Marcella,with a blush of pleasure, as she led him into the hut by the hand whichshe still retained.
"The apartment thus entered occupied the whole structure, save aportion apparently partitioned off with wolf skins; and a rude table,six chairs, and a goatskin covered couch, were the only articles offurniture it contained, excepting a few trophies of the chase hangingfrom the walls, and a woodman's axe placed over the mantel. The floorwas composed of logs, and was very uneven, save directly opposite thefire-place, where a large flat stone was firmly imbedded in the earth;and a small oil lamp, swinging in chains from the arching roof above,gave forth a pale light which mingled imperceptibly with that ofdeparting day in a mellow twilight.
"'Marcella,' said Wilhelm, as they sat beside each other on the couch,'I can scarcely realize that you are the wild little fairy, with whom Iused to explore the dark woods of haunted Hartz. I can remember, too,standing with you under the blighted pine, and relating old legendswhich I heard my father tell, while you listened with breathlessattention, and looked like a startled chamois, when the wind rustledamong the leaves.'
"'Those were happy days!' murmured Marcella.
"'They were, indeed!' continued Wilhelm, with enthusiasm--'yet whyshould infancy monopolize all the richest pleasures of life? As we growolder, our understanding becomes more clearly defined, andcircumstances which rendered our childhood happy, should become moretruly appreciated as blessings, instead of growing homely and irksometo us.'
"'It is because the matured mind requires a wider field for exercise,'said Marcella. 'When I used to roam with you in the forest or on theplain, those localities constituted our little world, and I cared forno other; but as my father taught me the learning of books, I awoke toa sense of uneasiness, and a consciousness of restricted liberty. Thebeautiful world of which I read became replete with attractionshitherto unknown to me, and I longed to quit these wild scenes, andbehold the palaces of princes.'
"'So it was with me,' responded her lover. 'As you may remember, myparents hoarded up their little earnings, that I might enjoy theadvantages of education, and I went to Gottingen with the feeling ofone who was about to drink of pleasure at its fountain-head; but alas!Marcella, the wide world is like a piece of glass, which may sparkle inthe distance with all the brilliancy of a diamond, and after leading uswildly onward, becomes the more worthless, for our endeavors to gain acloser view. I imagined that the learning of schools would conferhappiness; it became mine, and I found it a mockery. I mixed with therich, gay and gifted; but my object still eluded pursuit. Marcella, Ibecame convinced that I left true happiness behind me, when I departedfrom home; and returned to its shelter, resolved to leave it no more. Itasted of the cup, and found it bitter.'
"'My father talks in that manner,' answered Marcella. 'He hates theworld for the injury it has done him, and even our few neighbors excitehis scorn, by their foolish fears of him. I am sure if they knew himwell, they could not help loving him as I do; he is so noble, so brave,so generous, that I cannot understand why he is called "The Demented,"unless it is because his superior intelligence is regarded by the hindsas a supernatural gift. Perhaps that is the reason,' she added,haughtily.
"'You wrong the honest peasants,' said the hunter, hastily; 'who,though ignorant, possess the gifts of reason and discrimination. Yourfather will not allow them to know him better, and the extraordinaryquantity of game which he obtains would arouse superstitious whispersfrom more enlightened minds.'
"'Poor deluded creatures!' exclaimed Marcella, scornfully. 'Because myfather's aim is truer than theirs, ought he to be looked upon as onedemented? Because, by his skill in woodcraft, he surpasses theirsuccess, should they shun him with looks of horror? Because he refusesto join in their low revels, should they regard him as a ghost-seer?Wilhelm, you have learning, and ought to frown down these foolishsuperstitions, instead of partaking in them. Did you love Marcella asyou have often sworn you do, the man who spoke evil of her parent,would from that moment become your enemy.'
"'And so he should, dearest Marcella; but alas! their suspicions arebut too well founded, and though you may be offended, I dare not denythat I myself believe him to be in league with the Evil One.'
"'Then leave me!' exclaimed Marcella, starting from beside him. 'Whyshould you wish to wed the child of such a man? Might you not find adevil in me? Why should I love a being whose lips have declared myfather a demon? Go! Wilhelm, I took you for a man; but you have thesoul of a dwarf.'
"Her eyes flashed indignation as she spoke, and in the eyes of herlover she appeared more beautiful than ever.
"'I can forgive your reproaches, for I know them to be actuated bynoble sentiments,' he replied, drawing her gently back to her seat.'Honor to our parents is nature's first law, and God forbid that Ishould condemn it; but, dearest Marcella, there should be no reservebetween us, who have grown up side by side, as it were, and I speak toyou as I would to no one else--not even my parents. That I love you,you surely cannot doubt, and that love would be worth little to eitherof us, did it enjoin concealment of our true opinions from each other.I speak as an honest man, when I tell you, that I once beheld yourfather in the Black Forest, accompanied by a stranger, who was not ofthis world.'
"'Great God!' ejaculated Marcella, starting up with affright.
"'Forgive me, dearest; but you forced me to say it in my own defence.Calm yourself and we will talk of this fearful subject no longer.'
"'Wilhelm, you are not trifling with me?'
"'As I hope to be sav
ed, no.'
"The daughter of Hermann trembled for a moment, as though the spirit ofFear had touched her, and the dim rays of the swinging lamp, as theyfell upon her finely cut features, revealed the undisguised terrorthere betrayed. But she quickly settled rigidly as a marble effigy, andher voice was firm, as she said:
"'Wilhelm, I believe you, and may God help my unfortunate father. Tellme of what you _saw_, and disguise nothing!'
"'It were better to remain untold, Marcella.'
"'I must and will hear it,' she answered with cold determination.
"'Then it must be told,' said the young hunter, with an involuntaryshudder. 'On the second day after my arrival from Gottingen University,I started out from my father's cot, to course hares, taking with me mydog and rifle, intending to remain absent all day. For some hours I wasquite successful, and succeeded in killing a score of the fleetanimals, but after noon they grew scarce, and as the sun was sinking inthe west, I paused wearied and exhausted on the borders of the BlackForest, while my dog was panting in the shade. As I stood thus, leaningupon my gun, the sound of a bugle call fell upon my ears, and almostimmediately afterwards your father suddenly passed me in the directionfrom whence it came, looking straight forward with a stony, fascinatedstare, so full of mingled despair and earnestness, that I trembled withsuperstitious fear, and even my dog crawled to my feet, quivering inevery limb. Onward he strode, unconscious of a watcher, to a shadedspot on the border, just beyond my position, known as the Witch'sCircle. As he reached it, the bugle was again sounded, when immediatelya tall cloaked figure rode out of the forest to meet him, and theysaluted each other in silence. I could not discern the stranger'sfeatures, but I noticed with breathless horror that the steps of thehorse which he rode, as well as those of another which he led by thebridle, gave forth no more sound than if they were planted in air----'
"Wilhelm suddenly paused in his narrative, as a beautiful White Fawnsuddenly sprang from behind a suspended wolf skin, and alighteddirectly in front of him. Daylight no longer lent its rays to illuminethe apartment, and as the animal's eyes were visible through the mistybeams of the lamp, they seemed to glare and blaze like coals of vividfire.
"'Heaven preserve me!' ejaculated the young hunter, crossing himself.
"'It is my pet, Leo; do not fear him,' said Marcella in low tones.
"'Your father mounted the unoccupied saddle,' continued Wilhelm, goingon with his adventure; 'and together they disappeared between thepines; noiselessly as the falling of a feather. At short intervals Iheard the sound of the bugle growing fainter and fainter, until it diedaway in the windings of the mountains. I called my dog and hastenedhome, without daring to look behind, lest I should behold themysterious riders following on my track.'
"A short silence succeeded, during which Marcella gently wept, andcaressed the fawn. At length she spoke:
"'Dear Wilhelm, I now see the reason why you have ever avoided myfather, and come here only while he is away. Perhaps it is better thatyou should continue to do so, for he is very irritable, and yourmeeting might be attended with fearful results. Leave me, Wilhelm; Iexpect him every moment; it is already past his usual time of return.'
"'I must speak with your father to night, dearest,' said the hunter,encircling her waist with his arm.
"'God forbid!' she exclaimed, looking up to him with great alarm.
"'It must be so, Marcella; I am about to ask a gift of him, and hisanswer will either make me the happiest of men, or leave me miserablefor life. I will ask his daughter of him as one who has a just claim,and I cannot believe he will refuse me.'
"'Wilhelm, you do not know my----'
"At this moment there came a measured rapping at the door, and Marcellaarose to open it, trembling with undefined dread. Hermann the Dementedpressed a kiss upon her brow as he passed the threshold, and enteredhis cabin.
"He was an old man, for his hair was grey, and deep wrinkles furroughedhis brow; but his form was fully developed and upright as that ofmeridian manhood, and there was a changing fire in his eye thatindicated all the energy of youth. His dress was a mixture of militaryand peasant garb, and he wore a tall, black felt hat, encircled with ared ribbon. Game of every kind hung in such profusion from his broadshoulders, that it almost entirely concealed his person, and he bore inhis hand a rifle which few men could handle. On arriving beneath thelamp, he deposited his spoils upon the floor, and then, for the firsttime, observed the presence of the young hunter.
"'Ha! is that you Wilhelm!' he exclaimed, casting aside his rifle, andextending his hand in a friendly manner, 'I am especially glad towelcome a brother craftsman to my cover, on a night when I have hadsuch uncommon luck. Look at that heap, and tell me if you ever sawanother such.'
"'You are famed as a fortunate hunter,' answered the other, gazing uponthe immense pile at his feet with astonishment.
"'Yes, yes, Wilhelm, there are few men can bag hares with Hermann, theDemented,' and the old man laughed a hollow laugh.
"'Your skill must indeed be extraordinary, when it enables you tosecure many of these animals _after nightfall, and without hounds_,'returned Wilhelm, looking fixedly at the hunter with a penetratingglance.
"Immediately upon the entrance of her father Marcella had drawn thetable from the wall, and commenced to prepare an humble meal; she wasstanding in a distant corner of the cabin, when her lover spoke thus:
"Hermann started back with a look of fierce anger.
"'What mean you, young man!' he asked in stern tones.
"'I had no intention of giving offence, Mynheer Hermann.'
"'Your looks, at least, were impertinent,' muttered the old hunter,turning abruptly from him, and commencing to sort his game.
"The simple meal was soon ready, and the three persons partook of itwithout so much as a whisper. When it was finished, and while the younggirl was replacing her few utensils, Hermann produced a largeMeerschaum pipe, and having filled it with tobacco, lit it with a chipfrom the fire-place; looking inquiringly at his guest as he smoked.
"'You were, doubtless, surprised to find me here?' said the latter,with some hesitancy in his manner.
"'I am not often so highly honored,' responded Hermann, quietly sendingforth a wreath of smoke from between his teeth.
"'Do you understand my object, Mynheer Hermann?'
"'Certainly I do, Mynheer Wilhelm.'
"'Indeed,' ejaculated the young hunter, with a look of inquiry.
"'Of course,' said Hermann, ironically; 'you come to my cot, MynheerWilhelm, hoping to behold some diabolical orgie, or the working of somecabalistic spell, by which I secure success in the chase. You expect tosee me in communion with the mountain spirits, and allowing along-tailed demon to breathe upon my rifle. Look around you, my honoredguest; is not my daughter some horrid witch in disguise? Is not thisgentle fawn, a bloodthirsty spectre metamorphosed? Do you not see atleast a dozen goblins climbing the barrel of my rifle? Ha, ha, ha! youwill add another to the thousand and one legends about _Hermann theDemented_. And tell me, young man, what is to prevent my offering youas a sacrifice to my counsellor, the devil? People would say it servedyou right, for entering this unholy place. You had better depart beforemy familiar makes his appearance to sup with me, from the skulls ofchildren. I assure you, mynheer, that yonder stone bottle containshuman blood. Fly, before the spell begins to work.'
"Although the old man frequently laughed while speaking, there was ahollowness, and unreal zest in his mirth, that made the young huntershudder.
"'You have made a great mistake, Mynheer Hermann,' he replied calmly.'I came here with no such despicable intentions as those you attributeto me. To be plain and honest with you, I am here to ask a gift of you.'
"'What is it, boy?'
"'Your daughter, mynheer.'
"Dropping the pipe, and springing to his feet, Hermann confronted hisguest, glaring upon him with vindictive fury.
"'Wretch! dare you insult me?' he howled, gnashing his teeth.
"'Mynheer Hermann, be cal
m, I beseech you; you have obliged me to makethe request thus abruptly, and I am willing to abide the consequences.I love Marcella, and she loves me. I would make her my wife.'
"For a moment, the father held his hand to his brow and fixed a glanceupon the young hunter, as though to read his inmost soul; then turningquickly to his child, who sat near him, trembling with fear, he askedexcitedly:
"'Is this true, Marcella?'
"'Yes, dear father,' she replied, arising from her seat, and laying herhead fondly upon his breast.
"He looked down upon her beautiful face, suffused with tears, insilence; slowly the flash of anger faded from his countenance, leavingthe gleam of idolatrous affection shining there. The feelings of aparent overcame all others, and a bright drop glistened on his cheek.
"'My darling, my only treasure,' he murmured, pressing her closely tohim. 'Your happiness is my only earthly object.'
"'Wilhelm,' he continued, placing his disengaged hand upon the youth'sshoulder, 'I wronged you in my suspicions, and ask your forgiveness.Your face, as well as that of my darling, convince me that I wrongedyou. Yet I cannot grant you my child, until you have first heardsomewhat of her history, and my own. Not but that she is a jewel, theproudest king might wear upon his bosom with honor,' he continued, withspirit; 'but no man shall ever accuse me of practising a lie.'
"He resumed his seat, still holding Marcella closely to his bosom, andwent on:
"'To no other living being have I ever told my strange story, and thereis that in your countenance, which tells me you are no traitor. Listenattentively to what I say: I was born on the estate of a nobleman inTransylvania, to whom my father was steward, and spent the happiestdays of my existence roving about those vast domains, a free and joyouschild. At the age of thirteen, I was placed in a school, where Iadvanced rapidly in learning, until I was the acknowledged phenomenonof the village, and the pride of my fond father. Years of unalloyedpeace rolled over my head, during which I wooed the beautiful daughterof a landed gentleman--won and married her by stealth. Her father'srage knew no bounds in the first moments of discovery, and hethreatened to separate us; but my wife's entreaties soon banished hisanger, and we were soon received in full favor both by him and my ownparents. Oh! what unsubstantial, foolish, joyous days were those! Howdid I idolize the girl, whom I had won, as a heathen worships hishousehold god.
"'At length a fearful epidemic swept the country; my father was one ofthe first victims, and my heartbroken mother soon followed him,bequeathing us her dying benediction. It was my first trial, and in thebitterness of my grief, I left the familiar scenes of my boyhood. Tothis spot I came with my beautiful wife and built this cabin, resolvingto spend the remainder of my days in these soothing solitudes. But myfate was yet to be accomplished. My father's employer found me out, andsent a message, earnestly requesting me to become his steward. Yieldingto the importunities of my wife--for I could refuse her nothing--Iaccepted the proposal, and journeyed back to Transylvania with a heavyheart; for a cloud seemed hanging over me, a presentiment of sorrow tocome. The nobleman received me more as an equal than as a servant, anduttered many encomiums on my father's worth, which could not but provegrateful to a heart like mine. I loved and honored him at once; andresolved to testify my gratitude by a faithful discharge of my duties.He was still a young man, but I felt no jealousy, when the idol of myheart praised him, blind wretch that I was! At length, the cloud, solong forming, burst over me in a flood of misery. Almost immediatelyafter the birth of our daughter, the father of my Marcella came to meand imparted a secret that almost deprived me of my senses. Poor oldman! he thought I knew all before, and my ravings filled him withalarm. Frantically I swore revenge, and with murder in my heart, wasabout to seek the destroyer of my peace; but the old man restrained me,and after a violent debate, I resolved to say nothing to my wife aboutthe matter, and kept a strict watch upon her. Alas! her father'ssuspicions proved too just. I surprised her in company with herparamour, and after loading them with the bitterest curses, took mydaughter and returned to the hut under the cliff. My whole life wasblighted, every hope was crushed; but the very madness of my despairgave me strength, and I swore vengeance on my enemy. On the evening ofthat fearful day, after lulling my unfortunate child to sleep, I kneltdown on the flat stone before you, and in the fervor of delirium,called upon _The Spirits of Hartz Mountains_ for aid. Scarcely had thesacrilegious petition left my lips, when there came a gentle knockingat the door, accompanied by a shrill bugle note, signifyingbewilderment in the forest. Like one in a dream, I answered themysterious summons, and immediately a White Fawn bounded into the hut,followed by a tall stranger, wrapped in a cloak of fine material.
"'"You called me and I have come," he said, in tones that made meshudder, and peer into his eyes, in which there was a fearfulfascination which I could not resist.
"'"Who are you?" I managed to articulate.
"'"Varno of The Black Forest," he answered, in a voice of rollingthunder. I know not why it was, but at his reply my fear vanished, andmy wrongs arose before me in their darkest coloring.
"'"Can you aid me?" I asked, returning his piercing glance. Never shallI forget the fearful distinctness with which he said:
"'"Hermann Vandervelt, I know what you would require of me, and youshall be satisfied, _but there is a price attached to my services_;three requests shall be granted, and then _you must be mine, soul andbody_. Will you swear to this?"
"'Like a maniac, I fell upon my knees before the stranger, shouting, inthe height of passion: "Grant me but _revenge_ upon the betrayer of myhonor, and I will be yours, eternally yours, soul and body yours; Iswear by the God who--"
"'"Silence!" thundered the stranger, his eyes glowing like coals ofwithering, devouring fire.
"'"Hermann, you must swear by the _Spirits of Hartz Mountains_."Wrought up to frenzy, I obeyed him. He dictated a fearful oath, andwhen I had repeated it, he said, in tones that froze my blood:
"'"Hermann Vandervelt, take your rifle and seek your enemy; he shallfall by your hand. I will leave you this animal (pointing to the fawn,)and when you would see me, let it return to the forest. Remember, Ihave granted _one_ request; _two_ more shall be granted, _and then youwill be mine_."
"'His horrid laugh is still ringing in my ears. In silence, I openedthe door, and beheld, dimly through the darkness, a tall steed withblazing eyes, standing motionless upon the plain. As the strangerpassed me, a momentary chill, like that of the grave, fell upon me; hemounted, and I saw him no longer. Grasping my rifle, I fled through thedarkness like a fiend of blood, the White Fawn following my footstepslike a hound. No rest, no meat, did I take until I saw my enemy lyingbefore me, bleeding to death, while the Fawn lapped his blood.
"'"I am Hermann!" I shouted in his ears, and then flew back wildly, asI came. My child was nearly dead from neglect when I returned from thedoubly-cursed spot; but I tended her faithfully, and she soon wentforth with me to the forest; and the White Fawn never left her side.
"'I was a successful hunter at first; but suddenly my fortune changed,and I could get no more food. Then was the spell of madness on me oncemore, and _I set the White Fawn free_. Again there came a knocking atthe door; again the Fawn sprang in, followed by its master. _My secondrequest was granted--there remains but one more!_ From that night myfamiliar has met me on the borders of the Black Forest nightly, and thedarkest depths are filled with game for me. Such is my story, Wilhelm,and here, on my bosom, reposes the child of my affection. Speak boldly,as becomes a man; would you wed the daughter of _Hermann, theDemented_?'
"While the old man related his fearful story, various emotions wereapparent on the handsome face of Wilhelm, but at its conclusionunwavering resolution was stamped upon his features.
"'Hermann!' he said, extending his right hand to the old hunter, 'Isincerely pity you as the victim of circumstances, but the blight doesnot touch Marcella; I love her more dearly than ever, and if you willgive her to me, she shall find in me a husband who would shed his lastdrop of b
lood for her.'
"'Wilhelm, you are worthy of my child, take her and may heaven grantyou the blessings it has denied to me. Bring a holy man here to-morrow,and make her rightly yours. I would see her happy before I--' Hesuddenly paused, placed his weeping daughter in her lover's arms, andturned aside to hide the starting tear.
"Soon Wilhelm was wending his way over the plain, and the innocentMarcella retired to her narrow apartment of wolf skins; but the old mansat with his face beneath the lamp, and the White Fawn crouched besidehim. Long did he meditate through the lonely watches of the night, andthe sweat of agony stood upon his temples. Slowly did he stagger towhere the wolf skins hung, and raising them in his trembling hands,dwelt mournfully upon the picture before him. There, on her couch, inall the artless grace of slumber, lay the only being on earth whom heloved. One faultless arm was hidden beneath the pillow, the other halfshadowed her face, and bore a glossy veil of flaxen curls. Her rubylips were apart, as though she had fallen asleep while yet the eveningprayer was on her tongue. Dimly streamed the light of the swinging lampupon the human temple of purity, and Hermann, the Demented, wept likean artless child.
"'It must be done--_it is the last_,' he murmured, dropping the rudepartition, and quickly opening the cabin door.
"Swift as the meteor falling through the shades of night, flew theWhite Fawn out into the darkness, with a plaintive cry. With bowed headthe old man clasped his hands and listened. He hears a shot, a buglenote echoes through the dew-ladened air, and the ghostly rider is againat his door.
"'You sent for me, and I am here,' said Varno, entering the cabin, andcasting the White Fawn cold and dead, upon the floor.
"'I ask your aid!' said Hermann firmly.
"'Remember, it is _the third and last time_,' muttered the stranger.
"'I will fulfil my oath. Grant me my wish.'
"'_Beware!_' thundered the other.
"'Speak not so loudly, or you will wake my child,' said the hunter,gazing fearfully toward where Marcella slept.
"'Fear not, good Hermann, the sleep of the innocent cannot be disturbedby a Spirit of Evil. Declare your wish and it shall be granted.'
"'Then hear me, fiend, devil, or whatever thou art! I would have mychild happy; I would have her husband ever warm in his love for her ashe is this moment; I would have the curse of her parents foreveraverted from her head. Grant me this and I am thine.'
"'It shall be so,' answered Varno, with something like pity in histones. 'Thou must meet me at sunset on the evening of to-morrow, besidethe _Witch's Circle_--there shall our compact be fulfilled. _This isthe third and last. Remember._
"The dark spirit passed from the hut under the cliff but his shadowlingered behind; and the old hunter knelt beneath the swinging lamp,with the dead fawn at his feet, desolate and lone.
"The day smiled brightly on Marcella, the genial sunbeams dispellingnight's horrors. She looked sadly when her father told her how theWhite Fawn had been wounded by some wandering hunter, and had soughtthe hut to die there; but the presence of Wilhelm made her cheerful asthe morn, and Hermann felt rewarded for his sacrifice.
"A missionary monk stood within the old cabin, and said the words thatjoined two lives in one. When the holy rite was finished, the weddedpair knelt at the feet of The Demented, and called down Heaven'srichest blessings on his head; but alas! he could not say 'Amen,' forhe remembered his compact, and the words of Varno still rang in hisears. He watched his child with more than earthly care till the sunbegan to sink once more behind the Black Forest, then seizing hisrifle, he kissed her blushing cheek, and sallied forth toward themountains.
"'Dear father, may you soon give up such unholy pastimes,' murmuredMarcella, looking fondly after him as his grey hairs floated in thewind.
"'God grant that he may,' murmured her husband, fervently, pressing herto his heart.
"But the old hunter returned no more. The wolf started as he lay in hislair, when a man rushed by his covert in the Black Forest. A bugle,wildly sounded, awoke the bird in his leafy bower. Two men met at theWitch's Circle, while a day was dying, and the shades of the woodclosed over them forever."
* * * * *
Yours, contemplatively, ORPHEUS C. KERR.