Kitty's Class Day and Other Stories

em. Their gratitude and relief were intense when Helen appeared next morning, with the faithful Hoffm

der the surgeon's care, and all remained at H

n to sketch the great stone lion's head above the grand terrace, the major smoked and chatted with a party of Engli

cils, and the major set off to find Amy, who had been appearing a

ed. The other visitors were gone, and the place seemed desert

er way among the vaults where the famous Tun lies, the major c

s the little terrace is called, but no other trace appeared, and Hele

part of the castle, went to take another

ruins after nightfall, so when Amy rambled on deeper and deeper into the gloom the boy's cour

on, up steps and down, delighted with little arched doors, rusty chains on the walls, glimpses of sky through shattered roofs, and all manner of mysterious nooks and corners. Coming at last to a narrow cell, with a stone table, and heavy bolts on the old door

oth sides, and no path was discernible. In vain she tried to recall some landmark, the gloom had deepened and nothing was clear. On she hurried, but found no opening, and really frightened, sto

's delay, and hoping to come out somewhere, she ran on till a

rately, like a lost child, and was fast getting into a state of fr

rer, as if guided by her cries, and, straining her eyes

ard, when she remembered that as she could speak no German how could she exp

some rough peasant, or some rollicking student, to who

ure was very near. She was in the shadow of an angle, and the

e?" said a clear

voice was that of a young man, and a low laugh followed

" exclaimed the voice, and stepping fo

rogue, thou shalt pay dearly

, a vain effort to escape, Amy's terror reached its climax, a

c. Some poor little girl lost in earnest. I must get her out

ried on, and soon came out through a shattered gateway i

ed her hands, eying the pale, pretty fa

e of pleasure and surprise, then gave himself entirely to the task

and clasping her hands imploringly, cri

Oh, take me

owed; but as you did not answer, I fancied it was Lottchen, the keeper's little

of sincerity in the apology, reassured Amy at once, and,

and can speak no German; so I was afraid to answer you at first; and then I los

me atone for it. Where is your uncle, Miss Erskin

?" cried Amy in h

ness," was the ans

, trying to see his face in the darkness, for the

pe. Shall we go? Your

ecoming too personal even for her, and the stranger's manner flutte

e castle. You were near the entrance t

tle longer, and not disgrac

for then I should have lost

orced to pause on reaching a broken flight of

ut better than going a long way round thr

dreadful vaults?" falte

st and safest rou

ure you kn

here by the week together.

is so strange to me. Can we get down

d, with an odd mixture

ke you down again?" asked the stranger,

leasure, motioned him to proceed, which he did for three steps; th

he had threaded in her bewilderment. A dim light filled the place, but w

o the keeper, and Helen's figure visible as she groped

me and let them thank you," cried Amy, i

tily kissing the little hand that had lain s

welcomed, chidden, and exulted over, they drove home, listeni

s strangers, like the Countess of Rudolstadt. You are as wet and dirty as if you had been digging

chief off her head, and began to examine the corners of it.

ters, 'S.P.,' the same coat of arms,

with its delicately stamped initials under the stag's head, and three stars on a heart-shaped shiel

hen I recovered my wits after my fright, I found this tied over my head. Oh, Nell, it was very charming there in that romantic o

staring as if struck dumb, for there on her fo

ne, and this in its pla

ooking half fright

le pearl one which it replaced. Two tiny hands of finest gold were linked together abo

pen?" she asked

as stupidly fainting. Rude man, to take advantage of me so

is absurd, the manner in which German boys behave;" and Helen fr

y, but an English gentleman, I'm

w, unless there are two Richmon

nce, I'm prepared for any enormity. It's my fate; I submit." said Amy, trag

offence, especially where we are concerned. He doesn't understand forei

, Ne

may know this 'S.P.' and, having learned his address, we can send them back. The man will under

ot be able to let it go at all. How dared the creature take such a li

s to the matter. Let me speak, or you will

herself, and substituted "strangers," remem

sling, but was as gravely devoted as ever, and list

know at once. It is easy to find persons if

at the initials, and laid

rms is English

you s

I understan

d for Sigismund Palsdo

in Amy, forgetting

and title of this gentleman it

e, and the man is English. Inquire quietly, Hoffman, if you please, as this ring

" and with his gentlemanly bo

rough the corridor,-a laugh so full of hearty and infectious merriment that both gir

d the stairs. Both looked back at the girlish face peeping at them, but both were

had visited the castle that afternoon, and had left by the evening train. One of

eye as he made his report, and heard Amy excl

the diamond. To think that a Peters should be the hero to whom I

"Thanks, Hoffman; we must wa