Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-11-27
ent one idea alone possesses the young


stammers. is not Fraulein-I mean she
is she not coming?"
LouiSon gave Gretchen's dress little
tremulous pull.
"No, indeed, che is not, my poor flans!'
The smile fades suddenly away from the
young mans face. Gretchen puts on a
very long face, too, and shakes her head
dismally.
.sWhat is it, Gretchen? Don't keep me
in suspense. Has anything happened to
her? Is she i'll? Is she-what's the good
of making mysteries? Everybody knows
how love her, cries Hans, gaining sud-
den courage.
Yes, everybody except Louison her.
SELF" says Gre; chen. Another tug at the
dress-an imploring tug this time. Lou
ison feels her situation becoming extremely
embarrassing. But Gretchen's tongue IL
not. so easily stopp d. The very spirit Q!
mischief seems to have taken possession OF
her. Everybody except Louison herself,
she repeats.
ssCould you-colld you not help me a
little when she come,?" asks Hans in an
undertone, which is meant for Gretchen s
ear alo re, but which reaches several other
pai,s of ears besides.
Gretchen laughs Mot I. Manage thint
own business. Master Hans. Besides, did
[ not tell thee that she is not coming? that
thou art day after the fair?''-a vehe-
ment pull at the dress-''that there are at
fractions at X nigsberg''-a still more We
hement pull, and something like Il gr"aI'
from Hans ia farmer, you must know
handsome and rich"
and discretion alike gave way. She scram-
bles up to her feet.
'.Gretchen, Gretchen, how can you, how
dare you!'' size cries, her cheeks all aflame.
OF course there is laugh from the who'll
circle. A. 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 ex-
plain matters, he is nowhere to be seeI.
Possibly the remembrance of his late bold
uess has produced Il reaction; possibly thu
last piece of intelligence about the hand
some young farmer at Konigsberg has
proved too much for his nerves; or posi-
bly, he may be hurt or offended at the little
trick which has been played upon him.
Fhis 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 cried.
innocent bit of fun into such a scene, Lou
,son- Why didst thou not stay quiet?"
II think thou vert carrying thy nom
sense too far, Gretchen" says the widow.
'sSee. thou hast vexed Hans and made
Lmison cry.
''And he will think it all true,n sobs
Louison.
NAY, nay, child" puts in Che old grand
mother consolingly, ''never fear. 1t will
come all right in time. Most things do, if
we will only have patience"
''IIe will know that it was all Gretchen 5
nonsense" suggests the old grandfather
Il will go and see if can fild him any
where about and bring him in to thee"
M, no, grandfather, cries the little
maiden between her sobs. at is all my
own fault. Don't fetch him; .dsu't go
after him. If he is angry it is quite right
quite. lie must think me so horrid. so
bold. lie must think I only wanted him
to say
He loved you." 1t is Gretchen, half
mischevous and half repentant. who fills
up the blank.
''IIe will never do so again. sobs Lou
ison.
"And would'st thou care so very much
if he di not? eh?" asks Gretchen. Louis
rs face is hidden in her hands. She does
not see shadow that creeps stealthily
every moment nearer and ne irer 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
listeni g Hams would have heard had he
not played eavesdropper i'll his tuln.
Bef re they are fairly out of her mouth,
there is /, rustic of the creeper outside the
house, a leap through the window, and be-
fore Loaison Can turn to fiy she is caught,
Gagged. held fast ill a pair of strong young
arms. What need of more love-making
When the love Was alreadyF
Louison protests. "Oh, it was mean,
unfair of Thee, Hans; l could not have be-
lieved i'll" she cries.
But she dries her tears, and Hans helps
her.
but at least thou vert as bad," Hans
retofts. Il never could have believed it
of thee eitner.'
Then 1 suppose we must forgive one
another
II suppose we must try"
And SO they settled it.
And yely soon after the wooden we'd
ding comes another, where, we may he
sure, laug hing Gretchen acts the part of
bI ilesnlaid.
Twas all my fault" Louison says to
her, as they walk home.
"Entirely,'' echoes Hans. Il never
should have thought of such thing but
for t.ee and tiny tricks. But | forgive
thee.'
"And thou, Louison," asks the girl.
''Well, will see how Hans benaves in
the fut Ire. will tell thee on-on he day
of my wooden wedding" But as she Looks
UP into her young husband face She does
not seem to have much fear.
''Ah! talking OF wooden weddings, thou
hast quite forgotten all about poor Margot
and her bracket says Louison.
ii will give her a palr instead of one,'
says Hans.