The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-11-20

against the open window, pipe IL
mouth.
T Gretchen holds her work spread
out so as to hide kneeling Louison
Hans bids them all good evening
but gazes round the Email room
somewhat disconsolately, seeking
| for that which he finds not. Oh,
for a glimpse of a small plump fig
ure in a dark serge dress, q pair OF
rOright dark eyes, and coral lips that
part to show a row of pearly teeth
sighs the young man-sighs, and
blindly curses fate, because, like
many another foolish mortal, he cap
not see yard before his face.
"Ah, Hans, is it thouP' says
laughing, mischievous Gretchen.
''Poor Hans! 1 am sorry for thee if
it is to pay thy respects to our fair
cousin thou art come"
"What folly of Gretchen, to be
sure~ grumbles Margot under her
breath. "She will put 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 whispers to her mother.
An idea has struck her that after all
too smaller brackets, one for each
side of the chimney piece, would be
better than one. "Dost think it
would be too much to ask forT1 she
inquiries of her mother.
But the good widow is so much
amused with the small domestic
comedy going on before her that she
can scarcely pay due and proper at
tention to the Weighty matter 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" he stammers. "Is not Frau
le1-I mean she-is she not COM
lng?" .
LOuison gives Grstchen's dreSs
little tremulous pull.
mo, indeed, she is not, poor
Hans"
/ The smile fades suddenly away
from the young mans face.
Gretchen puts on very long face
too, and shakes her head dismally.
"What is it, Gretchen? Don't
keep me in suspense, Has anything
happened to her? Is she ill2 Is
she-what's the good Of making
mysteries2 Everybody knows how
I love her," cries Hans, gaining sud
den courage.
eyes, everybody except LOuisOn
herself" says Gretchen. Another
tug at the dress-an imploring tug
this time. Louison feels her situa-
tion becoming extremely embarrass-
ing. But Gretchen's tongue is not
so easily stopped. The very spirit
of mischief seems to have taken
possession of her. Everybody ex-
cept Loulson herself" she repeats.
"Could you-could you aOt help
me-a little when she comes" 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 1. Man
age thine own business, Master
Hans. Besides, did I not tell thee
that she is not coming? that thou
art day after the fairP-a vehe-
ment pull at the dress-"that there
are attractions at KOnigsburg"-a
still more vehement pull, and some
thing like a groan from Hans-"a
farmer, you must know, handsome
and rich"
This is too much. Louison's pa
tience and discretion alike gave way,
She scrambles up to her feet.
"Gretchen, Gretchen, how can you
how dare youP' she cries, her cheeks
all afame.
Of course there is a laugh from
the whole circle. As for Hans, al
the first sight of the unexpected ap
paration his new found courage sud
denly takes fight, and he with it
When they look round for him tC
explain matters, he is nowhere to bt
seen. Possibly the remembrance o
his late boldness has produced re
action; possibly the last piece Of in
telligencs about the handsome young
farmer at Konigburg has proved to-
much for his nerves; or possibly n,
: may be hurt or offended at the ittl
trick which has been played upol
him. This is the fear which trouble
Louison.
!, "Oh, Gretchen, Gretchen, how IN
, kind, to be sure! Who would hav
dreamed to hear thee say sue
things" she cried.
"What a goose thou art to turn
! little innocent bit of fun into such
scene, Louison. Why didst tho
. not stay quietF'
81 think thou vert carrying tn
e nonsense too far, Gretchen" say
/. the widow. "See thou hast vexe
2 Hans and made Louison cry"
:, "And he will think it is Sll true,
sobs Louison.
Ell "Nay, nay, child" puts in the ol
J. grandmother, consolingly, "nevt
l. fear. 1t will come all right in tim'
Most thing do, if we will only hay
IS patience"
o "He will know that it was a
n Gretchen's nonsense" suggests Il
81 old grandfather. 81 will go and Sc
if can find him anywhere about an
e bring him in to thee"
e 'No, no, grandfather" cried IL
a little maiden between her sobs. 4"
t. is all my own fault. Don't fetC
/ him; don't go after him. If he
O angry it is quite right, quite. q
v must think me so horrid, so boil
q He must think only wanted him
IS say"
= "He loved you" 1t is Gretche
{. half mischievous and half repeD
it ant, who fills up the blank.
.el 'He will never say so again" sol
r Louison.
v "And wouldst thou care so yer,
'e verv much if he did not? Eh?" ash
i Gretchen. Louison's face hidde
le in her hands. She does not see
v shadow that creeps stealthily ever
= moment nearer and nearer to Il