Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-01-26

Tome, Natane, Dttle Irieuu. conuue
in me tell me what grief is so trOub-
ling your young heart ?"
''Oh. sir, it is so hard to bear they
say 1 will forget it by and by; but l
never shall. [ never shall" Her voice
rose excitedly over the last sentence.
Tell me what it is that you cannot
forget, dear Natalie
Yes, l will tell you. You have been
down the lake and over the St. Gotthard
Pass-you know just how fair it is on
the other side the mountains | was
born over there. I am an Italian, then.
by birth-but oh, l love the Sehweiz,
the beautiful home of my adoption. On
ly the mountain over there-Pilatus-
[ hate, hate and curse the dreadful
mountain - She shuddered and sighed
heavily.
..Madre died when | was born, and
the dear Swiss matrina who took ME to
her heart and made me her godchild the
day my mother died, brought me here
to her home to be her daughter. She
had son then-oh, he was so fair and
gentle and brave in the childhood days
when we studied and played together
and oh, he was fairer and nobler and
brayer as man, when the years had
passed, and l stood beside him tall
maiden-a woman by reason of my love
for him, my brave, my lost Franz. He
took me to his heart one day and told
me | was to be his bride. His mother
smiled and blessed us. And II was
in heaven of peace and gladness. The
days went by, and we were counting by
hOurs-the time was so near for our mar
riage. He laughingly left us one morn
ing, saying he would take his last hunt !;
because after he had a wife he could be
allowed no more such freedom. He went
away to Pilatus to hunt He never
+ comeback"
The girl rose, fercely clasping her
hands together.
'.Tbe'terrible storm spirit took him in
its embrace he is lying up there in the
snow, and every storm is burying him
deeper from me. A year to- nj ght he has
been sleeping there-and I have been
watching down here. Mein Gott, mein
Gott mein Franz, mien Franz ~
I And again she leaned her head upon
the stone-work in a passion of tears. l
took her hand, soothingly. in mine-but
what could l say to the young stricken
heart l only held her cold hand. 81
lently waiting for her to grow quiet.
Presently she raised her head.
Forgive me for intruding my grief
upon you, but it has been a relief I
have never shed tears since he left Us.
until toni ght the horrible pain seems
to be softened in my heart through these
tears thank you for your patience.
must go into the house-good-night- "
Goodnight, Natalie
/ She bowed her beautiful head an in
slant, and then glided away. [ sat down
to think over the story had just heard.
Cruel Pilatus 1t did not look so fair
as it had an hour ago. So musing, ]
must have fallen asleep. When rous-
ed. the moon was still shining, though
with fainter light I was about to rise
and return to the house, when, CHANGING
to glance toward the terrace. saw some
one leaning against it. Was it Natalie
again Z? [ looked closely. 1t was 4 man
rose and approached him. He started
at my footstep on the paved walk. and
turned full toward me. \ tall. noble
looking fellow-though l could sec ever
in the dim light that his face was pale
and thin. Something inspired me with
strange idea before knew what
would say, l exclaimed:
'.It is Franz ?''
The man came to my side, hastily.
Yes, am Franz but who are you
| do not recognize you And-and-
Natalie. Is she well-does she live ?''
Yes. she lives. but believes you dead
: How did you get here ?''
'.She loves me still-waits for me ?''
Yes, yes
My mother %
Lives. and only needs to know yo1
live. to be restored to health
Nun Got SCI Dank p' And th
strong head sank down just where Nata
, lies had been an hour beforehand b
, cried and sobbed for joy. After littl
, while We sat down together upon th
garden-seat, and Franz told ne how b
: had been caught in the storm, and near
/ y died was rescued by the hunters
had brain-fever in the peasants hut the
had taken him to had lain severa
, months weak in mind and body at las
: rallied, and, by slow degrees. recovered
but the year had passe1. nearly, befor
r he was ft to start for home. He ha
D reached it, fearing, hoping, and when
reached the garL. had been utterl
0 broken in heart lest be was TO find ther
all dead-or shock them 70 death by ar
E pearing to them, his dear ones. Thi
was his story. Then | told him all abou
e Natalie and his mother and. hayin