The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-10-01

dress" that there are attractions at
Konigsberg"-a still more vehement pull
and something like a groan from Hans
"a farmer, you must know, young, hand
some and rich"
This is too much. Louison's patience
and discretion alike give way. She
scrambles up to her feet.
"Gretchen, Gretchen, how can you,
how dare your she cries, her checks all
aflame.
OF course there is a 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 they look round
for him to explain matters he is nowhere
to be seen Possibly the remembrance
of his late boldness has produced a re-
action; 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 has
been played upon him. This is the fear
which troubles Louison.
"Oh, Gretchen, Gretchen, how unkind,
to be sure, Who would have dreamed
to hear thee say such things?" she cries.
"What goose art thou to turn little
innocent bit of fun into such scene,
Louison. Why didst thou not stay quiets"
81 think thou vert carrying thy non
sense too far, Gretchen says the widow.
:" See, thou hast veXed 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 will only have patience
"He will know that it was all Gretch-
ems nonsense" suggests the old grand
father ~ will go and see if can find
him anywhere about and bring him in to
thee"
No, no, grandfather" cries the little
maiden between her sobs. " 1t is all my
own fault Don't fetch him. Don't 90
after him. If he is angry, it is quite
right-quite He must think me so hor-
rid, 50 bold. He must think | only
wanted to hear him say"
"He loved you" 1t is Gretchen, half
mischievous and half repentant, who fills
up the blank.
"Ie will never say so again. sobs
Louison.
"And wouldst thou care so very, very
much if he did not? Eh?a asks Gretchen.
Louson's face is hidden in her hands.
She does not see ii shadow that creeps
stealthily every moment nearer and
nearer to the open window. Gretchen
stands before her "Dost thou indeed
care for him SO much, little one?'
Louison does not look up. The words
that she says are not many and are
broken with sobs. But, few or many,
they are to the purpose. More to the
purpose than listening Hans would have
than he would ever have heard had he
not played eavesdropper in his turn.
Before they are fairly out of her mouth
there is a rustic of the creeper outside
the house, a leap through the window,
and before Louison can turn to fly she is
caught, Gagged, held fast in a pair of
strong young arms. What need of more
love making when the love was made al
ready9
Louison protests. "Oh! it was mean,
unfair of thee, Hans; l could not have
believed it," she cries.
But she dries her tears, and Hans helps
her
but at least thou vert as bad" Hans
retorts Z" | never could have believed it
of thee, either"
"Then suppose we must forgive one
another"
81 suppose we must try"
And SO they settle it.
And very soon after the wooden we'd
ding comes another, where, we may be
sure, laughing Gretchen acts the part of
bridesmaid
"'Twas all thy fault" Louison says to
her, as they walk home.
Entirely" echoes Hans. 81 never
should have thought of such a thing but
for thee and thy tricks. But forgive thee
"And thou, Louison?" asks the girl.
Well, l will see how Hans behaves
in the future. l will tell thee on-on the
day of my wooden wedding" But as she
looks up into her young husbands face
she does not seem to have much fear.
"Ah. talking of wooden weddings,
thou hast quite forgotten all about poor
Margaret and her Bracket says Louison.
4 will give her a pair instead of one"
says Hans.
And so they were all made happy
SATURDAY Journal