A Romantic German Legend

Conrad, the Kmperor of Germany, wa reniarkable lor tlie unsparing punish ment of all who crowed his purpose A quaint but true legend recites that tain Count liVipold, who was one of thos fearing dnatli, Hed into a remóte fores' and lived in a hut with his wife. It happenod that the Kmperor, while hunting, ciinie to the npot, aud passed the night witli tbnm. ïliat night, the Count's wife bocamo tho niotherof a son, and the Kmperor dreamt the child then bom should Ixi his hoir. As the same dreunt returned thrice, he w,s greatly troubled, and the noxt iiiorning he cornmanded two of his sorvants to lei 11 the ohüd. ïhey took it away ; but being moved by compassion by its smiles, they placed it under a tree, and bronght a haio's heart to the Kmperor. A certain Duke passing by soon after found the child and took it home to his wito anrl adopted it as his own. Aftt'iwiml tho Kmperor being with the Duke and hearing him relate as a forest adventure the history of the boy, who was then present, began to suspect that the victim had escaped. lioing confirmi'd in tho opinión, ho took him into his service aa a page, and sent him with a letter to the Kmprass, in which he charged her, iipou pain of iiis displeasure, to have tho bearer put to death. Tho youth set out, and after sevon daj's carne to a certain priest's house, who received him with great hospitality. The priest was struck by his tra.veling.so far. While he slept ho looked at his letter, and discovered the hjrrid falo that awaited him ; so erasing the writing, he suVjsittuted these words : "This is the youth whom I have chosen as the husband of your daughter. I charge you to givo her to him quickly." Next morning he awoke refreshcd and saiil : " Adieu, dear host," The priest replied : " Remetuber me whon you are Emperor." The boy laughod, esteeruing it as a iest ; so they parted. On arriving at Aix-laChapelle, lio delivered his lettera, and so well did the strategem suoceed that when the Etnperor wroto soon after to ask if bis orders had been obeyed, the Empresa asstired him that the nuptials had been celebrated with great celerity, as he had desired. The Euiperor hardly believed hia eyes when he read her letter. Mounting his horse he rode off imrnediately and with groat speed to Aix-laChapelle. On his arrival the Empress presented their daughter and son-in-law. For some time the Emperor seemed lost in astonishment and unoertain what to do. At length, nature prevailed and he exclaimed : " The will of hen ven cannot be restrained." Then he cumpelled the two Bquires to reveal what they had done, aud the CounL to come from the Black forest and receive baok bis son, with peace from the Emperor, who lelt him as heir, and he Bucceeded him as Henry. On the spot in the forest where the child was born was erected aftorward the noble tery of Hirschau.