Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-06
his wife. answered mo-, hut he re-

Isou ~" Ae is stGGlnS IN Cne room yOnder
with my grandmother, drinking wine, and
telling her Of his house and lands: while
his servant, who stands by the chimney,
confirms everything he says. But be com.
forted, dear Willibald. Let grandmother
say what she will Twill die rather than be
faithless: to you !"
Here Dame Martha came out of tho
house, and commanded Ellen to go in di-
rectly. The poor girl was forced to obey !:
and the old woman said to Willibald.
Young man, am come to say to you that
thirl: it beg. yor Should core - more to
my cottage. A rich IAN is !: ,,.llor 70 my
Ellen, and it is my duty to do wnat is for
her good. say nothing of my intirm age.
l could cheerfully bear hardship but I
| wish to see her surrounded by comfort and
riches put it to yourself-what could
you offer the girl? Would you have her
bind herself to poverty and toll now, when
she may place herself in ease and atflu-
ence ?"
Well, well, Dame Martha" cried Wilt
bald, half choking with emotion, IT say
nothing of your conduct, If you choose to
break an honest fellows heart, and your
own word also, tits all the same to you'll"
But, Willibald," persisted the dame,
"listen to mel"
But the impetuous youth was already
several PAGES off. She called after him.
but the sound of her voice did not serve to
check the mad speed at which he rushed
on. Despair drove him, and he Stacked
not his pace till he found himself in the
open fields, night gathering around him.
1t was darker night, however, in his own
breast. He threw himself on the ground.
and cursed himself and his destiny, for no
tears would come to his relief. When he
thought, too, Of Ellen and her wretched-
ness, his heart was like to break.
Some hours must have passed unmarked
in the indulgence of his grief, for it was
late when he rose, and tried to find his
way homeward. After wandering about
some time without being able to discover
the road, he found that he was in church
yard. The tall spire of the church was
visible in relief against the drifting clouds.
There is the house where the people go
to pray" murmured the youth, bitterly.
Have not also prayed, have not toiled,
have | not denied myself? Have I not
striven to keep my soul from faint Of sin
And what is my reward? Ellen is lost to
me. Prayers will not give her back, else
could pray-aye, to the Fiend himself,
and promise to be his so she would be
mine
Scarcely had the distracted youth ut
tered these wild words, when sound of
shrill laughter near startled him; and
looking round, he saw figure which he
had no difficulty in recognizing by the
fiery eyes and Zamiel look, as the fend he
had called upon. 81 am here" cried the
stranger, in hoarse tones; "at your ser
vice, and ready to do your bidding asking
only a small service in return"
"What is that?" Willibald mustered
| courage to say, though he trembled all
| over.
!" You are, as happen to know" said
the fend, AN excellent smith I have q
piece of work for you Follow me I will
AXE you to spot where lies buried one of
ny subjects. You must make me an iron
railing round his grave; and, in reward,
will give you your bride.
If you have nothing more to ask, am
content" replied the young man.
= This is all, " said the fend; 6 but it is
harder task than you imagine You have
but one hour to work. At twelve you must
begin, and the railing must be completed
by the time the clock strikes one. If it is
done, you are free; if not, you belong to
me forever"
Willibald paused an instant, but flood
of wild thoughts came rushing upon his
brain and the passionate desire to snatch
Ellen from his rival overcame all his pru-
dence. He pledged himself to tie unhal-
lowed contract, and he followed the fiend
to new-made grave.
"To your work, my lad,'' he cried, and
vanished.
At the same instant Willibald saw fire
spring out of the ground beside him, and
caught glimpse of several bars of iron,
and the tools of his trade. The clock on
the churchtower struck twelve, and start
ing, he betook himself to work So dill
gently did he apply himself, that the work
grew rapidly under his hand; the railing
was almost finished. A single screw only
was wanting to complete it, when the dull
sound Of the clock was heard striking one.
and Willibald fell to the ground insensible.
When his senses returned it was morn
| ing, the sun was shining brightly, and he
thought all that had passed wild dream.
But sight of the railing, nearly finished,
around the grave, and rusty bar Of iron
| lying on the ground, convinced him of it's
reality. There was, however, no trace of
the fire, and the tools had disappeared.
Full of shame and repentance, Willibald
fastened to the church, to pray more ear
nestly than he had ever prayed before, for
the pardon Of his dreadful sin. His heart
was lighter after the prayer; but he could
not 60 home to work that day, and sadly
he walked toward Dame Martha's cottage.
Ellen came to meet him, as before, and
shed tears as she threw her arms around his
neck.
This time" she said. 'sthey are tears
of joy. When you left so suddenly yes.
terday, l also came from the house, and
into this little garden, where might weep
:.ndisturbed. I sat there long, Willibald,
long after dusk, when, as I leaned my mead
on the table yonder, thinking hopelessly Of
you, a female figure approached me. She
had the form of my dear mother She
smiled very sweetly, Willibald, and said,
Weep not, my child, but pray-pray for
your lover, he is in very great danger.
She vanished before I could thank her
but / remembered her words and prayed
for you, Willibald, all night long"
The young man shuddered, but raised
his eyes upward in thankfulness.
Early this morning." continued the
maiden, 50 came Herr Werner. went out
to meet him, and told him would rather
die than become his wife. He was much
vexed, but without another word mounted
his horse and rode away, followed by his
servant. Ny grandmother was angry, but
my conscience told me did right; and
now that you return to me in safety, Will.
bald, / am sure that have the blessing Of
4 Heaven"
And the young smith felt the same assur.
ance, when, few days after, his box Of
treasure was restored to him by his mas
ter's daughter, who, in fit of jealousy o,
Dame Martha could no longer withhold he,
/. consent, but before Willibald dared to claim