The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-04-26


have cheerful fire and plenty Of light,
bottle of good wine, an irreproach.
able cigar, and Mrs. Adams is prepar-
ing an appetizing little supper"
Now, after my one experience, | did
not much care about passing the even.
ing with Korner, so | began polite
apology about the necessity of study.
But he impatiently interrupted me:
Pshaw, man ! il is the last oppor.
tunity you will have of refusing me"
Are you going to leave us, then "
| inquired.
Yes; my release is at hand, and |
wish you TO join me in celebrating it,"
Your release | reiterated.
Yes; but we will not talk OF it to-
night you will hear all about il to-
morrow" be answered, lightly.
After that | could not refuse his in.
vitation.
There was strangeness in his man
ner that ! could not understand, which
impressed me disagreeably. He was as
gay as a Frenchman he laughed, told
anecdotes and doubtful adventures,
sang German student songs, and was so
unlike himself, as had previously
known him, that at times l had serious
doubts whether | was waking or dream
ing.
! astonish YOU" he cried. j have
east aside what you call the blue devils
for tonight, and, as Shakespeare says,
Richards himself again ! what i was
in my old student days, the merriest
fellow within the walls of Bonn
But | did not like his merriment-it
was to me far more depressing than his
gloom. | drank his hook, smoked his
cigars, and laughed at his stories; but
felt all the time like one oppressed by
nightmare, and would have been de-
lighted TO have found an excuse to get
down quietly TO my OVID room.
In the meantime the storm was raging
violently, the rain dasAing in sheets
against the windows, and we could hear
the crash and moan of the forest as the
wind rushed through the trees and the
thunder, nearing, though still distant,
rolled sullenly through the air.
"A pleasant night for journeyF he
cried, IN the light, testing tone he had
assumed throughout the evening.
You are not going journey to.
night?n said /.
No; but Fritz has gone. shall not
start upon my journey till tomorrow
| morning-a far longer one than Fritz 5. 5"
shuddered, | knew not why.
Now, my friend, it is time that we
separate" he said suddenly, rising, and
holding out his hand.
The intimation was sudden, and not
strictly polite; but took the hint with
the most cheerful alacrity.
Pardon my abruptness, but | must
now prepare for my journey.
An odd time, | thought, 10 begin
preparations Tor journey. As wished
MIN goodnight, | heard the rustling as
Of a womans dress behind me, felt
movement in the air, and the sensation
Of a passing body, Just as on my pre-
yious visit, and on Korner'5 face fell the
same CHASTITY look. Ny nervous system
was highly wrought, whether by the
shadow oil coming events, or by the cleo
tricity OF the atmosphere, know not /;
and without another word | hurried out
Of the room. As before. lheaId the key
turned in the lock bat, as before, ! did
not hurry down TO my own room, for
my limbs trembled SO violently, and my
head felt SO dizzy, that | was obliged to
lean against the wall for a moment, for
fear of falling.
The tempest had reached its culmi-
mating point. The thunder-clouds
were upon US. and sent forth peal upon
peal till the house trembled and shook
as though swayed by an earthquake /;
40 lft,ht a, ~, Oh ~,
streams OF jagged fire, now blue rs steel,
now luridly red the rain had abated,
but the wind, rushing through the forest
leaves, sounded as though a furious
mountain torrent or roaring sea was
coming down upon US; while the
branches crashed, and groaned, and
shrieked, as the hurricane swayed and
broke and hurled them one against an
other. Never have | heard so awful a
contention Of the elements. ! can never
recall the memory of that terrible night
without shudder. And there | stood
in the full blaze OF the lightning, as il
shone through the staircase window,
with the fascination of terror upon me.
Suddenly through the din of the storm
there rose sharp wailing cry, that
curdled my blood and bristled my hair.
1t came from the room had just left.
By a sudden impulse, which | could
never explain, | resolved to try and
solve the awful mystery that was about
me. There was but one way. Across
the front Of the house ran narrow bal
cony. The window was standing
against was in line with those of Kor-
ner's room. With the rain beating
down upon my bare head, and the wind
sweeping round me and almost lifting
me off my feet, crept on TO this bal.
cony, and between an opening in the
curtains peered into Korner's ROOM
And this is what | saw
The room was blazing with light, just
as had left it. With his back toward
me, quivering and crouching, was the
form of Korner; facing the window, and
looking in his face, stood a woman. Her
dress was that of middle-class German
life, but her face was the most lovely
ever beheld; the hair was of the bright
es., rarest yellow, the complexion fault
lessly pure the eyes large, dreamy, anc
of deep violet; the nose and moutf
of the most perfect shape. While
gazed, fascinated by her extraordinar!