The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-07-07

the Gown on whose folds he !iau Oetn Auec.
ing, and then without one LOOK Al Mafsate'
= went slowly out Of the room, "Heu ne cam
hoci, inc short winter twilight vas nearly
over; stars were beginning 10 s.."E ~ Wv
skv. Margaret had not moved from her seat
ltbe door stood still ajar as he had lett II; soit
liz. so softly, that his steps could hardly o'
heard, he crossed the room, and stood, silent
before her; then he lifted his hands Algi
above her head, and opening them, let ta..
shower of dases: on her neck, bosom, Zap
feet. everywhere, rested the fragrant blossom ,
Now you Will let tina, they tel. you all,
he SAID, now you will let that ne at your
feet
His tone was grave and calm; his look
were grave and calm: but his eyes sAone VIII
such Joy, such rapture, that Margaret IN .e'
turn, found it hard 10 meet them
An hour later when Kar. and Margare
went into the din.ngroom hand in hand Wi!
helm and Annette gazed at them tor mo-
ment in speeches. wonder. Then Annette
ran out of the room sobbng. Wilhelm said
aloud God be praised" Then walking
swiftly towards them, he first looked into
Margaret's face, then into .karl's, and ex'
claimed agala: God be praised"
Wilhelm" said Maryaret, "wi.l you, too,
forgive me for the day l made sad for you a
year ago? Karl has forgiven It."
Wilhem's answer was look. Then ne
fell on Ksrl's neck, and was not ashamed OF
the tears that would come No: often 90 men
love as did these twin brothers
1t all seemed to Wilhelm and Annette I'M.
possible. incredible Their eyes followed
Karl, followed Margaret with an expression
which was half Joy and half fear. But TO Karl
and Margaret the new happiness seemed
strangely natural, assured. Like crystal
hidden in stone, It had grown, and no" that
the stone 8ad been broken open and the cFys'
tai Sc. free, every ray Of the sun tina! fell on
1t multiplied, and the brilliant light seemed
only inevitable.
Later in the evening Kar! put ring upon
Margaret's finger. 1t was daIk, and she could
not see the design.
could you promise not to see IL! the sun
light should come tomorrow SAID Karl.
{" would Ike that the sun should light Il up
first for your eyes
Margaret smiled. ooh, foolish Karl,
will try not to look; but you ask grea,
deal"
! Karl ,ui;.od the ring round and round Oh
the finger, as Nqrgaret's hand lay in his.
81 have a long time had this rng,-mo
than one year. 1t was to be for you II died,
or IF you were to be married to Kari
could not now pronounce the words another
man." He went on: thought that then you
would wear Il and not be angry not once
thought could put il on for you with my
own hand" and Karl lifted both Margarei's
hands, covered them with kisses, laid them
against his cheek on his forehead, on his
heart.
1t was strange TO see this.over, in these few
hours, already 50 free from fear. His child.
like simplicity Of nature wss the secret Of Il,
Knowing Margaret 10 be his own, he joyed
in her as he joyed IN the sunlight He took
the delights Of seeing and touching her, ls
freely as he would bask under the blue sky
He could no more feel restrain, from oae than
from the other.
Karl, If you really 30 no. want ne to see
the ring, YOU must roll tiny bit Of paper
around IT, said Margaret. at feels very
large"
Yes, 1t Is large II could not be small to
tell what It tells" replied Kari. rolling fine
tissue paper carefully over and under 1t, and
twisting il firmly. Mine own, mine own,
he said, kissing the hand and the ring, when
the morrow sun shines from the lake 10 your
bed lift your hand in the light and look
When the tomorrow sun" first shone ON
Margarets bed Margaret was asleep. When
she walked the room was flooded with yellow
light. Dimly at first, like memories OF dreams,
came In the recolections Of her new happl
ness then clearer and clearer in triumphant
10y. She lifted her left hand In the great gel.
low sUnbeams, which seemed 10 make gold.
en- pathway from the very sky to her bed.
Slowly she unwound the rosy tissue paper
from her ring a low cry Of astonishmen'
broke from her lips. She had never seen any
thing so beautiful On broad gold band
was curled tiny thread.like stem, bearing a
fourleaved clover of dark green enamel. The
edge of each leaf was setthick with diamonds,
and the lines down the center we're marked
by diamonds, SO small, as 10 be little more
than shining points, Margarets second
thought was one Of dismay ooh, the wretch.
ed Karl! To spend so much money! II would
almost furnish our little house. What shall
do with such ring az this?'
But surprises were In store for Margaret.
When she gently reproachel Karl for having
spent so much money on the ring, his face
flushed, and he hesitated moment before
replying. Then he said, with inexpresslble |
sweetness, taking both her hands in his My !
Margaret, ] have much money. | was glad
before, for Wilhelm, and the little ones But
now can make all beautiful tor you, | so
much thank God. 1t was chance that |
have IT, know not how 10 find It, as your
people de-. II was the land
Karl Reutner indeed was arich man. Lands
which he had bought few years before, for,
as he sad, such little OF money" were now
fortune in themselves And It was in con.
sequence of this increase of his wealth that
he had So earnestly besouCht his brother VII.
helm TO let him provide a new home tor the
family.
"But now my Margaret, It shall be for
you" he said Il hope that there shall be
enough that you have all things you have ever
had 10 dream Of"
Margaret sighed. Almost she regretted
this wealth. II was not thus she had pictured
her life with Kari But her love Of beauty, |
Of culture, Of arr. was too strong for her 70 be
long reluctant tina, the tu,uess OF life should
come TO her.
"Oh Kari. Karl" she said, cannot be.
lieve that | am 10 Lave you, and ali else IN
life besides. Dear one, | 90 not deserve it,"
Karl was lying at her feet, his head resting
on her knees, as he had bowed II when be
first knew tina, she loved him, only that now
no darcl IN gaZp steadily INTO her eyes He |