Marshall County Democrat., 1856-11-20
PLYMOUTH, THURSDAY NdDVH1IEE EbH1Eg 30, 1855.
when YOU spoilt nv coffee

Egidius' day, and nineteen years ago my
mother died, as you have set down in the
Bible. And thought how it was that she
should die of shot, and you never speak
of it, and you even forbid me to speak of
it to Others
The fixed glow of the old mans eyes
upon her checked the girls utterance.--
Silently he turned to take from the wall his
cap and gun; then returning to her, drew
her towards him, and said, in hoarse
voice-'hear me, child; l will believe you,
and it is well. Do not be eager for that
story; it is not good for your ears or for my
ears. Why return to that? There might
come up with it stuff that would sting you
that would take away your sight and
hearing. Only mind this. You think too
much of-somebody who should be as far
from you as sun from moon, from whom
you should fly as the hare from the wild
cat. l tell you, girl, he is fllse. He
would betray you as surely as tomorrow
comes after to-day. Ifyou have done al
ready more than think of him, God pity
you, for'-the mans utterance was choked;
his bony hand was cold and damy-'you
would be better with milestone round
your neck, under ten feet of water He
turned suddenly away, whistled to his dog,
and left her.
Gertrude had never seen her flther's
gloom so terrible; but she soon found a
girls relief in tears. The forester went
out into the wood, and sat for long time
motionless upon grave-like mound of
stones under an oaktree, his gun resting
on his shoulder, his dogs nose thrust in
quiringly beneath his arm. He sat there
till twilight, and went slowly homeward
when the moon was rising. From the ter
race behind the house he by chance raised
his eyes towards lighted window in the
corner Of the tower There was a light
burning in the room, fire cracking, and
a young girl was weeping on young man s
shoulder.
AT last in my arms again, my forest
hower?'
Lord Count, Lord Count' said Gertrude,
'let hope be at an end between us
But am still your Leonard, and you
are to be my little WIFE
MY father frightens me; your mother
will oppose YOU.
My mother! yes. To avoid her anger
we must wait. But your father?'
Lying on his shoulder, she began TO tell
him all her fears, which he endeavored to
allay with knees. A flash and loud re-
port. Glass breaks, and the young noble
man is sprinkled with the blood OF Ger
trude. She can utter but single cry be-
fore she lies upon the sofa, dead.
A few minutes afterwards, the old hunts
man entered slowly to the door.
Quicker! Duckerp the count shouted in
agony, here is murder done! Your beau
tiful Gertrude shot
'Ay, to be sure; she will not stir again
said Ducker. 1T was shot well aimed
through the centre of the heart
The connt was bewildered at his cold
ness.
This is your Gertrude, father--my Cor
trudel'
Your highness's Gertrude! l thought
she was only minel'
He is mad' the count cried. Ger
trude! Beloved Gertrude from whatever
quarter the shot came, my vengeance on
the assassin!'
Whence the shot came, said Ducker,
Il will show YOU And he led him to the
window. 1T came from beside yonder
pine-tree A man sat there who suspected
mischief
Wretch! Madman! Take your hand
from me! You have murdered your own
daughter!
Take your hand also from mel said
Ducker. 4 have powder and shot for
your highness, ifneed be, in the other bar
rel. Wait. with your hand off, while l tell
you an old story
There was forester who loved a coun-
tess. That he did secretly, and without
speaking, for he thought much of the diff
culties in his way. However, he was pru-
dent, and all ended well, and no man was
the wiser. But there was a count who low
ed the wife ola forester; and that ended not
well. For when the forester discovered it,
he took that which belonged to him. And
the count had a son, and the forester a
daughter. The old man preached many a
lesson about rank, and frivolity, and be-
trayers; but she loved that son, and he pre-
tended equal love for her. So, thus-I
took that which belonged to me-
Miserable assassin!' cried the count
She was mine, mine, mine! You tell me