Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-07-25

ing the little pillows where Gretchen's
rosy cheeks are wont to lie. After hel
comes procession of trunks and boxes
Augelique's peculiar care.
Soon the business of nursing is under
way, and goes steadily forward. Chris
tine cOmposes marvellous soups, which
Angclique supplements by dainty dishes
the soft breezes play round the bed
bringing their own peculiar element of
life and strength, but, most of all. Gret-
chen's tender care helps to raise the
dropping spirits and restore the weary
soul and body to their accustomed
health. The DAYS of convalecence are
long and wearisome, however, and the re-
sources of nurse and patient are often
taxed to find some pleasant way Of hast,
ening times slow march. Madame has
heard all Gretchen's lite story: how she
has grown up at the little Wirthshaus
where there have been no guests to enter
tain; how the mother died when she was
but an infant, and the little Gne was
cared for by the good old Wirth and
faithfu' Christine; how the scnool-days
passed, followed by simple years of easy
abor under Chris,ine's somewhat exact
ing rule; then-oh! most wonderful and
glorious how Hans came home, and
the world, beautiful before, became il
Illuminated with a radiance such as things
must wear in heaven. "For," Gretchen
concludes her story, 'he loves me, mad
anne, and love him: and the good priest
at the church tells US, Love is all the
law;' so, you see, have all of earth and
heaven, and everything is finished and
complete" Madame signs aId trembies
md turns her head away. Then little
Gretchen, fearing she has given pain In
some way that she does not understand,
kisses her softly and leaves the room.
But such stories as these &c not fill all
the time, and one day Angelique, who
has glown bitterly jealous of Gretchen,
begins to explain some of the things that
are wanting in this small world that the
girl deems so perfect md complete. She
tells of dresses and jewels and costly
sight, and scenes where gay cavaliers at,
tend ladies clothed in elmine and lace.
Then she suggests: Look at the sunset
if you want to see how the silks simmer
and shine, and at the dew-drops if you
want to know the sparkle of diamonds
Or, il madame would. let you-but she
is TOO ill-too ILL., and Angellque pauses
TO sigh over the hidden glories that must
not be revealed
But madame overhears, and new
amusement suggests itself. The depths
of those boxes contain many meracles OF
the millingrs art, and If sunny-halred
Gretchen would like to ex ,,lore them, she
ssalf do so. Then the keys We're brought
out, and the little maiden retires into a
Gorld of wonders cf which she has new
er dreamed. Meanwhile madame sits in
her shigh- backed easy-chair, and lazily
enjoys the scene.
Breathless with wonder and amaze
meat, Gretchen pulls out one costly dress
after another, and apropos of each An
gelique has story to tell. This one was
worn at grand concert in Paris; another
was made specially for the great occasion
when Madame la Marquise de B-sent
for her mistress at an evening party: 8
third appeared before her Majesty the
Empress Eugenie-"Before your rough
soldiers overran our glorious capital,
adds madame, smiling; and Gretchen
bushes, remembering who was among
the host. For each toilet there are jew
els, some more costly than others, but all
suited in hue and radiance to the cos
tunes they must accompany. AT last
the une to the other, and great is hel
pleasure when madame tells her she il
right. finally, Gretchen pulls out deer
blue silk, and as it lies against her fail
Skin, madame calls out:
There you have your own color, little
Gretchen. You shall have it, petite, tt
make yourself a bodice for holidays
See, its glory has e.,arted; and behold
here is mark where your own Primes
set his foot upon the train. All
that was in days when 1 was younger
than am now, or his Highness had no
| come so close to admire me-"
| Gretchen laughs gavly. "The jewels
madame! What jewels did you wear9''
Diamonds. perhaps. I have but on
sapphire;'' and madame shivers slightly
"And here it is cries the girl, pull
ing forth e great blue jewel set in rim!
so heavy that it slips from her little fin
gers.
But madame is i'll, apparently. "Pu
it down, my Child she cries; and ono
more the strange spasm seizes hel
Leave ne now, and take the dress witt
YOU"
After this the wonderful boxes wer
never opened again. Madame is cold ant
strs nge and silent, and one day the lum
nering carriage bears them all away iron
The little Wlrtshus.
Then the days pass slowly for Crotch
en-. There is feverishness about he
life which she hopes will be Gained b
Hans presence when he comes. Sfrang
.ancies fit across her mind, and she
not sure. but that she is longing for th
great world about which she has promis
Cd him never even to ask. In her day
dreams she sees the CLEAN OF satin an
simmer of pearls, and wonders in WINS
manner of place they are worn. Sh
hears again Angelique's stories of King
and courA and crowded halls, whel
music rings, and the air is heavy wit
the breath of flowers that grow neitht
ON hillside nor plain Gretchen puts i
, the marvellous blue dress, and then 81
has tasted of the forbidden fruit, and
, subtitle poison begins to steal throus
4 her veines. ~ e
, AT last there comes a<breath from tn
marvellous world, not flower cented, b
, bitter and omiEous as the fierce blasts
e late autumn:
c .Send back madames.ring t.once,
!. you value your safety. Send it, child,
i, lyou will be branded as theft and ca
d into the snearest prison. You do n
d know its history. God grant you new
e mayi WHY did you bring fdinson 20
9 head by touching 9 jewel she will |
e live without"
Ill The note is written in Angeliqu
e aeratehv hand and az Gretchen rea,