Litchfield enquirer., 1878-07-18
perated, tore them asunder and banged the

door in Lenz's face.
 As the young man hastened away, not mind ing whither his steps led him, he met the school master
 Do not go far away" said he after having listened to Lenz's account of his visit to Blasl. "Keep in the neighborhood This is a strange night, and things may happen we are not look ing for. Maria may have need of thee"
 Blasl did not attempt to hide his disappoint- ment on seeing the schoolmaster enter instead of the expected Steffl. But Herr Schmitt took no notice: he talked to the daughter, who sat weeping in the darkest corner of the room. Poor Maria began to rally by-and-by After all everything was not lost; she was not Steffl's wife yet, and the comet might step between them for aught any one could say. Stefh could not trouble her in the other world; she felt as sure of that as of being united to Lenz there. How she hoped and wished for the end of the world-surely the only one who did so!
 Meanwhile her father kept running up and down, mumbling to himself in a wild, incohe- rent way, opening and shutting the door doz- en times in succession. No Stefh came.
 Other friends dropped in-not because they cared for Blasl, who had scorned their fear all the past anxious weeks, but on account of his daughter, whom they would not forsake in such an extremity.
 Everybody agreed there was something won- derful in the appearance of the sky, although they could not explain what it was, and their definitions were contradictory. Fear magnifi- ed what they saw, and their imagination work ed upon the least incident
 'Did you see .that?"
 'See what-whatw
 ''The shooting stars s-quite shower of stars. That must be the beginning of -"
 They pressed to the door. The schoolmast- or foo lOxry ,I the shutter to see whether there would be any more falling stars. Blasl alone would not look out; he stood in the middle of the room, tear ing his hair and crying for Steffl.
 "Steff1?" said the last conner, "has he not been here2 He left us at the inn hours ago, saying he was going to you. Where in the world can he be P
 'He had had several glasses of wine," said another; "but that couldn't have hurt him. He is used to more."
 Do you mean te say Steffi has not been seen since dusk? inquired one, looking in through the window. "I think then he has left the village"
 Cleft the village!" shrieked Blasl. ''You are mad, man; what can you mean?"
 'I mean that at dusk 1 saw Steff running on the highroad to W. 1 wanted to stop him, but he would not hear. He yelled out something about the end of the world, and rushed on frantically. He scared me out of my wits: was never so frightened in my llfe The comets advent couldnt.startle me more |"
 'Steff1 gone !" moaned Blasl, wringing his hands. .Stett1 gone; and his treasure! Has he taken his treasure ?"
 They thought he was raving and he, fear ing he had said too much, stopped abruptly He threw himself upon his bed, crying and moaning. Then wildly starting up, he walled out, 'Is it coming then, friends? IS the end of the world coming?"
 But they could not attend to him: they were much too busy in observing "sometlhng fiery" sweeping all across the sky.
 '"There-there!" They all left the room in hurry, and even the school master followed, after having whispered word in Maria's ear that made her heart beat high.
 ''Stefh, Steff1, thou hast forsaken me! What have they all gone? Oh, my poor child, we shall die alone, forsaken by all the world"
 For the first time something like parental af- lection broke through the hard crust that had so long closed over the heart of the father.
 'tNe, you are not aloN'' said theschoolmas- ter, re-entering with Lenz; ''your friends are staying with you. If we must die, we will die together"
 Blasl caught hold of their hands: it is hard to say whether in his agony he recognized Lenz or not, Stop with me, " he entreated; "mid- night is coming on Oh, do not forsake us p
 Just then the old clock in the corner struck quarter to twelve, and the schoolmaster said solemnly, 'Yes, Blasl, the hour is at hand ]; let us prepare for it. Blasl there is little time left for you to make up for all the grief you caused your poor child!''
 Blasl stared at him in bewilderment. "What can I do?"
 "You will-won't you-give your daughter to this young man: she was and still is his promised wife, you know. Nothing could break their betrothal. Now, Blasl. say you will, added he, shaking him by the arm to wake him out of his state of torpOr.
 'No, won't" said Blasl, sitting down upon his bed and folding hls arms in a determined manner.
 For some time the schoolmaster spoke to no purpose. At last he pointed to the clock: 'One minute wanting; now, let us prepare for the awful moment. Blasl, will you?" But Blasl shook his head.
 ''You won't ?-it's going to strike!"
 The clock began and up started Blasl, grop- ing as if in darkness for the lovers hands ca gerly stretched out towards him. Joining them, he kept them in his grasp, calling out five done it - done it, schoolmaster; you see have done it. God will be merclful to me for their sakes''
 Declare" urged Herr Schmitt, ''that you give your daughter Maria to Lotenz Steiner to wife"
 II do do /" cried Blasl, shaking with the fever of anguish, and tightening his iron grip over their united hands.
 "And these our friends and neighbors are witnesses" said Herr Schmitt solemnly, turn ing to those who had re-entered the room.
 ''We are witnesses" echoed they.
 ''lt is done," exclaimed the schoolmaster, with Q oirh Of raliof 1uh;lct Rlocl copL kooLy on his bed, covering his face with his hands to shut out the coming crash.
 There was solemn pause
 Nothing was to be heard-not sound out side or inside the house for long while. At last the peasants began to wonder amongst each other whether the clock could be right whether midnight was past but when the quarter struck they breathed more freely, and they gave expression to their opinion that the danger might be over. The comet might have passed the earth without touching it. they had all felt it's presence it must have passed very close to them; the earth had had a narrow escape!
 Blasl raised his head and listened attentively to their words which became more and more cheerful as the hand of the clock neared the half-hour
 Why are you two there together?" cried he suddenly, as his eye fell on the young people, who stood at the winbow hand in hand
 ''Ho, ho!" said the schoolmaster, stepping between him and the pair; ''these two belong to each other: you cannot part them any more you have given your daughter to be the wife of Lenz Steiner"
 T have, have ?"
 'fYou have," they all answered; ''and we are witnesses thereto.'
 'sAh! :" cried he, clapping his hands with childish triumph" have not said word about the money; she sha'n't have penny |"
 'sNever mind" said Lenz, in happy tones, 'tMaria and will work to liye-won'tw we, Maria ?-and never trouble you for money!"
 s'We will" replied Maria. 'Be kind to us father give us your blessing instead of mon- cyl"
 In the little hut in the wood two poor lone- ly women had also watched for the comet Lisbeth and her aunt. For Lisbeth was not drowned. The wind had carried off her kerchief as she crossed the bridge, and must have blown it into the river. She had merely left the village, which had become hateful to her and fOl1nd service At some distant farm