are satisfied with our jolly girls, and do not wish to write let to those we have left, but as you give yourself the trouble to the letter, say that we are going to join the war in Bohe because they commanded us to commit a shameful deed. returned the bride rings instead of letters, to give them to man whose fingers they might better fit than theirs.

Elizabeth's ring soon fitted him exactly, and Maria's equally well suited to the wealthy stranger; he consoled most eloquently, and enquired if a bridegroom was deservi a single tear, who could abandon his bride so shamefully: throw away his heart on prostitutes? He played his part Elizabeth and Maria, as he had done with Rosa-to eac made rich presents, to each he offered his hand, his earld and each became accustomed to his pallid face.

However, the three friends made a secret to each othe their connections with the Count, and their love projects. longer did they exchange visits as formerly, it made them an to hear by chance, that the Count continued his acquaint with the others. The one jealous of the other, endeavoure outdo the rest at first they suffered his caresses, and at they returned them, in order to captivate him the more secu

No one felt more joy at their mutual jealousy than the ton Count. For by these means he gained every day gre favours from them, till they had no more to give. To be he swore to each, by whatever was sacred in heaven, tha found the rest, dull and ugly, but for the sake of politeness good breeding, he could not but visit them from time to t Even this shift would not serve him any longer. At last, proof of his true love each required of him, to renounce other two entirely. He agreed that a formal betroth and exchange of rings should be made in presence of the rents. He stipulated however, that he should be allowe spend an hour at night with each, before the marriage place, that he might speak undisturbedly of all his arrangem Even to this, each of the fair ones agreed, and their consent sealed with a kiss. But in kissing him, they none of them c help remarking, "My dear Count, but you are indeed too p Put off that black dress, it only serves to render you pale. To which he always answered. I wear black to complish a vow. On the nuptial day, I'll appear in red white, like your cheeks, my darling."

And it happened at the same day, that he was formally trothed to every one of the three. In the dark night he sile slipt at successive hours into the bed-room of each. On following morning the girls slept too long, the parents wen awake them, when each bride lay extended cold as ice in bed, with her face twisted to her back.

Loud and desperate cries issued from the three houses. The whole populace cried murder! murder! and as suspicion fell on the Count of Buren, they assembled before the inn of the French Horn, the sergeants and town-guard entered it. There the innkeeper lamented that his guest had disappeared with all his servants, and that nobody had seen them go away. The luggage of which there was so much, had also disappeared, and no one saw it taken; from the well closed stables, the many superb horses were all gone, and the night watch at the doors had not heard the least noise.

The whole world was terrified, and every one made a cross, and blessed himself when passing before the houses of the three unhappy brides. Therein, nothing but howling and lamentations were heard, and what must appear still more strange, the rich presents, the superb bridal-dresses, the pearl strings, the precious stones and diamond rings which the Count had given, could no where be found.

. A small funeral procession only followed the biers of the three brides. And when the coffins were set down on the yard of St. Vincent's Church, and the funeral oration was about to be recited, a tall man was seen to stalk slowly away. And when the people looked after him, every one was astonished to behold that, though at first he was dressed entirely in black, by degrees he turned altogether white. And three red spots were seen on his white mantle, and the blood visibly ran down his mantle in drops, And the tall, pale man went to the flearing place.

"Jesu Maria!" exclaimed the inn-keeper of the French Horn, that is the Dead Guest whom we interred there twenty-one days ago. Terror seized all who were in the Church-yard, and they ran away with horror. A hurricane accompanied with rain and snow blew after them. Three days and three nights did the coffins remain unburied at the side of the open graves!

When Government at last gave an order for their burial and a large sum of money was given to people to perform the fearful work on lifting the coffins the men found them as light as if they were empty and yet the covers were nailed down. They took courage and opened the coffins which were quite vacant !

Watteville made a pause in his story; a death like stillness prevailed in the room. The gentlemen had a serious and solemn look and the ladies who had unconsciously pressed closer together appeared to be intently listening, long after Watteville had ceased his narration. Their folded hands and pale visages revealed their feelings." Snuff the candles !" exclaimed Mr. Guyot" and speak again my friends that human voices may be heard or else I shall leave the room. That diabolical nonsense might give any one the horrors."

The candles were snuffed, refreshments brought in and eve one tried to look and speak as cheerfully as possible. But fo was on every face and the words trembled on every tongue.

After a little while however the company could not repr their anxious curiosity to hear the remainder of the tradition the Dead Guest. They again sat down in a semi-circle ab the narrator and requested him to finish the story.

"The present estate" continued Watteville" of M. Steig near this town belonged formerly, as you know, to a noble fam of the name of Freudenreich which has not possessed it this hundred years. It was farmed away till about twenty years a when in the time of the war it was purchased by the late Steiger. The last Baron who from time to time inhabited t Mansion with his family was a terrible spendthrift; he came h however to recruit his pecuniary affairs which he exhausted Paris or Venice.

But even his economical recreations at this superb seat the most part were but continuations, on a more moderate sca of his usual expensive amusements. Even now we can perce the wrecks of former grandeur and splendour in the extens ruins of the castle and its side buildings all of which beca a prey to the flames about seventy years ago. Near these ru you know is the present handsome but modest building which I Steiger has erected.

When for the last time the Baron visited his noble seat it h pened to be in a most unusual season, and with a most unusua numerous company it was late in Autumn and he was attended from fifteen to twenty young noblemen with their domestics. daughter was at that time bride to the Viscount Wyttenback rich and amiable but hare-brained fellow who had visited several courts of Germany with orders from the Cardinal I bois. Dubois was the all powerful minister of the Duc of leans, Regent of France and Wyttenbach was his great favor

It may easily be supposed that Baron Von Freudenreich, spar no expense to make his guest's residence in his rural palace as agr able as possible. The Count von Siebenthal, the son of one the noble families of the lower Rhine was in this merry circle master of all sports. The Baron von Freudenreich had made acquaintance a short time before he came to Herbesheim, he took him along with him as a real treasure. Von Siebent loved play and did not hesitate at the highest stakes, though was often unfortunate. The Baron no doubt looked to him one likely to restore his ruined finances.

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The very same young rake formed the idea of giving mask balls at the approach of the winter season, and that every o might choose the handsomest without regard to rank or bin

For indeed the company was much in want of ladies particularly in time of feasts. The young Baroness von Freudenreich and some of her friends were entirely lost amongst the number of gentlemen. 'Why then" said von Siebenthal, "look at the geneological tree, when ladies are required. Beauty is found in every rank, and even amongst Grisettes there are beauties despised at no court."

Every one applauded the scheme and the Milliners and tailors of the town were set in motion to make mask dress

The Viscount von Wyttenbach endeavoured to distinguish himself beyond every one else in the splendour of his attire and Siebenthal as usual wished to overreach him. He looked in Herbesheim for the best tailor and the most beautiful girl to lead her to the ball. He found both under the same roof. Master Schatzmann was the best tailor, who immediately understood the description of the dress of the count and his daughter Susanna was in the first bloom of her charms which soon bewitched the count.

The count seldom was absent from the house of the tailor. He had always to look after something or other, that nothing might be spoiled. In particular he had a great many things to say to Miss Susanna. Even a couple of magnificent ladies dresses he ordered to be made for the Mask ball, which Susanna not only was requested to sew herself, but the father was oblig ed to take the exact measure of her own body since he pretended that Susanna had actually the very same shape the same graceful figure of the noble Lady whom he was going to lead to the Ball. He was also very liberal and the presents which he occasionally made amounted to much more than the sum he had agreed for. It might easily be foreseen that he made the most select presents to Susanna, and when he met her alone he told her the most flattering things imaginable and spoke to her of his ardent love.

Susanna, to be sure, did not wish to hear any thing tender, for she was an honorable maid, and besides she was promised to one of her fathers' journey-men; but yet she could not listen with anger to all the sweet things from such a noble and bountiful Lord, for a girl can seldom get angry with the man who professes to adore her.

A few days before the Ball day-the mask dresses were all ready -Von Siebenthal entered Mr. Schatzmann's house in a dull and melancholy mood. He requested to be allowed to speak a few words in private with the Master, on which they retired to an adjoining room.

"Master" said he "I am in a dreadful embarrassment. You, if you will, can save me from the dilemma, and if you do me that favor, 1 will reward you better, than if I were to occupy you the whole year in sewing Ball dresses for me."

"I am your Excellency's most obedient servant! replied tailor with a low bow and smiling countenance."

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Only think, master" continued Von Siebenthal "the I was to lead to the ball has fallen sick and declines t Every other Gentleman has his partner, and, you well know i the most part, daughters of tradesmen from the town. am without a partner. I might find one amongst the famili counsellors, or merchants, but whom do the ball-dresses fit? see Master, I cannot but request you to let me escort your da ter. You yourself have taken her measure, the dresses fit h if they were part of herself, and will they, on any one els credit to Mr. Schatzmann? You must let her go."

The tailor could not but see the necessity; fewer argum might have convinced him. But he never could have expe so much honor. He made at every new argument new b and he could not utter a word.

"Susanna will not have cause to repent it," continued Siebenthal: "The dresses in which she dances will remain own property, and I will buy for her with pleasure whatever be necessary to appear worthy of that splendid assembly."

"Your excellency is overkind!" exclaimed Master Schatzma And permit me to observe to your Excellency, that though it that should not, the girl dances charmingly. You ough have seen her dance at the nuptials of my neighbour the pev er- and at the christening of Master Hammer the Shoemal eleventh child. But never mind, I beg your Excellency to main here a little while, and I will bring the girl here. Excellency has only to propose it to her, and my authority not be wanting."

But Master" replied Von Siebenthal "Susanna's bridegr is perhaps jealous, for which he would be in the wrong, must give him a good word."

"Oh!" said Master Schatzman: "that booby-will not to utter a sound."

He went away, soon after Susanna entered the room blush The count covered her hand with kisses. He confided to her embarrassment, his desires, and he requested her to get, a expence, whatever she considered indispensible to make her pear at least equal in dress to the first Ladies of the town. blushed again, particularly when he whispered to her that would be the first beauty of the ball, and when he handed h pair of the most magnificent earrings.

This was almost too much for a wild and vain girl. sanna represented in her mind the splendour of the feast, an a moment she saw herself admired from head to foot; but remained embarrassed, and said something about her fath permission.