Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1882-09-22
Rheinhardt used to come, accord.

lhSly, ABOUT O'Clock each day and sit
tor an hour or so on the porch. To
Christel, bringing the beer, he said {:
"good day, Fraulein, and she respond
ed, good day, Herr Reinhardt,' and
went away.
But the night after the birthday
feast, as she was carrying a pail of
milk across the fields to a neighbo
(the children being safe in bed), Bar
tel had overtaken her and walked the
greater part Of the way with her.
'Fraulein Christiana,' he had called
her. The next night he had come
through the garden where she was
looking at her lettuce beds, and had
whispered for an hour to Fraulein
Christel. And two nights later
Heinrich being gone to the inn at
Klaus invitation--he came to the
porch where the girl was sitting think
lng-of what, | wonder? He began
to tell her of his work, of its weari-
ness, of its Loneliness, of its danger
At the last word Chrisel drew a little
nearer to him.
'Iou fear for me?' he asked. He put
his arm about her to reassure her.
Little Christel,' he said, may | tell
thee mething? l love thee so dear
ly. 1t is so lonely in the mountains !;
l have no home (; wilt thou not come
and make one for me?'
Chrlstlanas crimson cheek was so
close to his rough, weather beaten
face.
Thou art so gentle with the chill.
dren thou art so good to them. Thou
wilt be kind to me?'
'Ach. she said. 'How can | leave
the little ones: Liesel, who is oldest,
is but eleven
But | will watt cried Bartel.-
MAY | wait, my dear one.'
In five years, said Christel simply.
she might take the care. If you would
be willing"
IF yOu would be willing?"
IF thou wouldst be willing she re-
peated, her face afame even under the
pallor-lending moonlight.
Reinhardt caught her in his arms
and kissed her again and again.
| will wait for thee as long as thou
wilt he said. Thou wilt wait so
long for me: Thou wilt not weary p
i cannot weary of such waiting
she answered, looking up at him with
her clear trusting eyes. 'And five
years is so short time. But as vet
We shall say nothing about it. 1t
would, perhaps, trouble the father to
think Of my leaving him.
1t shall be so, then, if thou wilt
Reinhardt answered. Then he kissed
her once more.
And the next day be came to talk
with the farmer, and Christiana
Brought the beer, and he said, Good.
day, Fraulein,' to which she replied.
'Good DAY, tier ttefnnardt, ana went
away to the children. In a week he
had gone
Oh. how happy Chris'tiana was :,
The children could not love her
enough.
Thou sweetest sister, they said,
thou art more and more kind to US.
Thou art truly an earth angel
Heinrich said tenderly: My little
daughter is more willing every day.
And Klaus; 'Christel is a girl in
4 thousand. Would that had such a
laughter "
Christiana was saying: In five
years. So short a time! Why, it is
already three months since he went
away. At twenty, time does not lott
er.
She received no word from Rein
hardt. 1t would have attracted too
much notice had he written to her
and, in truth, his hands were more
accustomed to managing a mountain
staff than pen. But Klaus had
taken another of his journeys and had
brought the news that Reinhardt was
doing we'll and sent many remembran-
ces.
So the winter passed by, and the
spring and summer, and in the au-
tumn the rowing Klaus set forth again
on his travels.
Christiana was standing beside her
father on the porch when, late one
afternoon, they saw his short figure
coming toward them.
"Greetings, neighbour the farmer
called out, as he drew near. what
tldlngs bring you?'
'SaC, news, farmer, sad news, Klaus
answered. young Bartel is dead
He fell from a cliff month ago and
was killed instantly
So said the farmer gravely. "A
fine, promising young man. Thou
hast not forgotten him. Christel? He
went with us to our birthday feast
His parents are happily dead. He
leaves no one to mourn for him. 1t is
we'll. 1t would otherwise be terrible
sorrow for some heart
'Christel. Christel! little mother!
the children called from within. 'We
are so hungry and the supper is wait
ing. Wilt thou not come in and cut
us some bread?
She turned and went in the house.
The brothers and sisters were already
seated, and the loaf stood on the table.
She took up the broad knife and began
to cut slice.
'How long is lifeH she said with a
sigh that was almost sob. She look
ed at the little, eager, trusting faces.
And | have yet much to do she ad-
ded.-Our Continent