ST0K1' OF THE SYKEN OF THE LUKLEI.

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licad of his guards, and accompanied by the old priest, wentforth to seize the water-sprite. The entire rock was surroundedby the vassals, while the Pfalzgraf, with a few of the mostcourageous of his followers, stationed himself on the summit;and when the moon rose high above the mountain, Lore herseifappeared once more in all the spiritual beauty of her loveliness.She gazed at the Palatine for a moment, and then asked, in avoice whose melody tbrilled through the veins of all that heardit. whom tliev sousht.

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" Thee, vile witch!" cried the Count. " Where is vayson, my beloved Hermann?"

The river-sprite raised her white transparent arm andpointed silently to the stream, wdiose waves, as if agitated by astorm, now dashed furiously against the crags. The nyrnphthen cast her girdle of crystal beads into the troubled flood, andinstantly the water was smooth as a mirror, and the gemswere seen floating in a circle like a diamond wreath upon theriver. Next she spread out her veil, which glittered likefountain spray in the sunlight, and sang in the wildest iEoliantones,—

" Come to me, sweet Rhine ! enfold me in tlry misty arms,and carry thy daughter to the crystal caves below. Come ! oh,come to me, sweet ßhine !"

No sooner had the rocks ceased ringing with her lovelysong than there arose two huge waves, that seemed like thecurving necks of river-steeds showing above the water; uponthese she threw her silver veil, and still singing as the currentroared, she sprang amidst the foam, and was borne gentlydown the river.

The veil streamed after her upon the flood, like a trail ofmeteors, and continued to shed a soft phosphorescent light overthe water, tili at length all disappeared in the whirlpool. Then,as the waves opened, the old Palatine fancied he could see thepale features of bis boy beneath the waters, and behold liim

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