Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-12-19

pIlSut utIh eyes, anu cOru ups IIlaI part
to show a row of pearly teeth sighs the
young man-sighs and blindly curses
fate, because, ike thany other foolish
,nortals, he cannot see a yard before his
lace.
"Ah, Hans, is it thou9" says laughing,
mischievous Gretchen. "Poor Hans
/ am sorry for thee, il i is to pay thy
respects 70 our fair cousin thou art
come"
"What folly of Gretchen, to be sure ~
grumbles Margot under her breath.
"She will put my present quite out of
his stupid head, and we all know that is
what he has really come about" She
moves quickly from her seat and whis-
pers to her mother. An idea has struck
her that after all two small brackets, one
for each side of the chimney place, would .
be better than one. "Dost think it
would be too much to ask for9'' she in
quires of her mother.
But the good widow is so much amused |
with the small domestic comedy going |
on before her, that she scarcely pays due
and proper attention to the weighty mat
ter of the bracket.
As for Hans, if Margot and her wooden
wedding had ever been very prominent |
matters of interest in his head, it is
quite clear of them now. At the present
moment one idea alone possesses the
young lover.
How-why-what dost thou mean p
he stammers, Is not Fraulein-I mean
sbe--is she not coming ?"
Louison gives Gretchens dress little
tremulous pull.
"No, indeed, she is not, my poor
Hans"
The smile fades suddenly away from
the young mans face. Gretchen puts on
very long face, and shakes her head
| dismally.
"What is it, Gretchen? Don't keep
me in suspense. Has anything happened
to her? Is she ill Is she--what's the
good of making mysteries! Everybody
knows how love her," cries Hans, gain
ing sudden courage.
eyes, everybody except Louison her.
self" says Gretchen. Another tug at
the dress-an imploring tug this time.
Louison feels her situation becoming ex-
tremely embarrassing. But Gretchen's
tongue is not so easily stopped, The
very spirit of mischief seems to have
taken possession of her. Everybody
except Louison herself" she repeats.
"Could you-could you not help me
little when she comes 70 asks Hans in
an undertone, which is meant for
Gretchen's ear alone, but which reaches
several other pairs of ears besides.
Gretchen laughs. "Not L. Manage
thine own business, Master Hans. Be
sides, did I not tell thee that she is not
coming? that in short, thou art day
after the fair ga vehement pull at the
dress" that there are attractions at
Koningsberg "a still more vehement
pull, and something like a groan from
Hans" afarmer you mustknow, young,
handsome and rich.
This was too much. Louison's pa
tience and discretion alike gave way
She scrambled up to her feet.
"Gretchen, Gretchen, how can you,
how dare you" she cries, her cheeks all
afame.
Of course there is laugh from the
whole circle. AS for Hans, at the first
sight of the unexpected apparition his
new found courage suddenly takes flight,
and he with it. When we look round for
him, to explain matters, he is nowhere
to be seen. Possibly the remembrance
of his late boldness has produced a reac-
ton ; possibly the last piece of intelli-
gence about the handsome young farmer
at Konigsberg has proved too much for
his nerves or possibly he may be hurt
and offended at the little trick which had
been played upon him. This is the fear
which troubles Louison.
, "Oh, Gretchen, Gretchen, how un-
, kind, to be surel Who would have
J dreamed to hear thee say such things?"
she cries.
"What a goose art thou to turn a
little innocent bit of fun into such a
} scene, Louison Why didst thou not
stay quiet9"
, "I think thou vert carrying thy non
sense too far, Gretchen, says the widow.
"See thou hast yeXed Hans and made
Louison cry"
/ "And he will think it is all true" sobs
Louison.
, "Nay, nay, child,' puts in the old
; grandmother, consolingly, "never fear.
1t will all come right in time. Most
things do, if we only have patience"
"He will know that it was all Gretch-
} ems snonsense, suggested the old grand
father. 81 will go and see if can find
! him anywhere about, and bring him to
thee.
"No, no, grandfather" cries the little
maiden between her sobs. cit is all my
own fault Don't fetch him. Don't go
after him. If he is angry, it is quite
right-quite. He must think me SO
horrid, 80 bold. He must think | only
wanted to hear him say"
"H He loved YOU" 1t is Gretchen, half
mischievous and half repentant, who fills
up the blank.
, He will never say so again" sobs