The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-22


touched him as he passed-he, her love
. But that other walking at his side? He
arms fell lifeless, the cry died upon he
lips, she sat like one frozen. He passed
they passed. Then II was true, and he wa
utterly false. The dew fell wet aud heay!
upon the long braids Of raven hair, ant
| he shadows, cold but kind, drew neare
about her; then the stars came ont, and sh'
went back through the sweetscented gar
den home.
After this the days still came and went
for Rita, without seeming to have brought
change OF any kind; 80 thought
less observer might have believed
But the tender mother, ali, how much She
knew or guessed, yet no word passed her
lips, no question, nor did Rita notice the
iurtive glances SO often resting upon her.
It was only two days before Christmas
and everywhere were signs OF the happy
Joyous time. It was very busy time, too
and for the little ones full OF pleasure and
mystery. Faint sounds from the closed
parlor attested that the wish Tree was
surely growing and the messengers o.
Santa Claus engaged in their delightful
work. Mother went in and out constantly,
and Rita was flying from room to room,
out into the village and back again, every
GRAND seeming to take her to the door Of
the parlor, which she never entered, but
where there the mother always answered
her rap.
Bed time came for the little ones, and
soon after Rita, too, went to the upper
chamber for rest, as she said, after the
days fatigues. She entered softly, that
Nelchon, sleeping on the tiny couch in the
corner might not be disturbed, and closed
the door noislessly. Once within and alone
how the pale face changed; the eyes luster-
less, the cheeks pallid, the lips drawn and
ashen. Was she really the same? The
very life seemed to have left her. Her own
white couch looked soft and inviting, and,
as il overcome by exhaustion, she threw
herself upon it, burying her hands In the
downy pillow.
at is too hard, too hard" she gasped,
"the struggle is killing me! Oh, II 1t
might end!" Agreat sob shock her frame,
and the long pent-up tears gushed forth
like rain from snrcbayged clouds. They
were uncomfortable, and in her anguish she
no longer cared. What did it matter II all
the world knew? The pain, the hard,
changeless pain was there all the same,
and q mad, fierce indifference swept over
her heart.
Time passed unmeasured; she noted
nothing, heard nothing, until soft, cool
hand was laid upon the hot, tear stained
cheek, and a low voice asked:
"May not the mother know? May she
not share thy burden ?"
A long gasp. and the tears fell afresh,
but with q different impulse. No other
question was asked, only lovely hand
passed with caressiDg motion over the
beautiful ripping locks, and tender eyes
bent upon the sufferer with fathomless
depth Of devotion.
"0h, Mother! Gutleib, .Gutleib! It is
killing me. was cruel, hard, unjust to
him. He was right to love her II his heart
had changed to me, and was ever proud
and cold. twas my fault, all, all mine"
She paused, but the gentle hand still
passed with slow, regular motion over the
bowed head, as II by some subtle power it
could carry off the over charge Of pain and
excitement from the weary brain.
ooh, mother, could I only know that he
had forgiven me, that he did not hate me.
think it would be easier. Gould I only
have some token from him, token from
Gutleib; sometimes think will die II it
do not come. It is my constant hope, a
token from Gutleib, and sometimes l
think, after all, it may not have been true.
She, Graetel, is still in the village; she may
really be nothing to him"
Nelchen stirred restlessly in her couch,
and Rita's voice fell to q whisper. The
night passed on, but not until the feverish
lids we're closed in slumber did the mother
seek her own repose. Had she noted
closely the little figure in the couch che
would have discovered something unusual
in the pose and face, but, preoccupied, abe
went to her own apartment.
"a token from Gutlieb, q token from
Gutlieb! 0h,if 1 could only get it Tor the
Wish Tree!" inurmured Eelchen. What
token" mean. the little one did not divine,
but she remembered when Rita was wont
10 wear beautiful flowers that he brought-
mayhap these were tokens.
Twas wise little head, and watching
mother, though there was no "Wish Book"
kept outside the busy little brain, she had
followed the example and collected q num-
Der OF gifts, or wishes, as she called Them,
for different ones of theloved circle. Only
Rita was upprcvided, and now ehe knew
what to get-a token from Gutlieb. With
this thought she fell asleep.
She did not waken until late in the
morning, nor did Rita, but mother would
moi send to the room and they were undis.
turbed. Such busy household It was
when they did come down staifs, the day
before Christmas, Christmas Eve, and only
q few hours before they would leok upon
the wonderful Wish Tree. There was no
one to watch the little plotter, 80 she
strayed about the house awhile unnoticed
or unquestioned. AT last, with tiny
basket on her arm she stole out silently
through the garden gate, saying:
"Well, it Ia all l can do. will 90 to his
home and ask his mother. She may give
me token"
A cool, keen wind blew, but patient and
eager the little one hurried on. II was q
long walk, quite to the other end OF the
village, but the token she must have could
| It be gotten. at last the place was reached,
and the low tap on the door answered by
an old lady OF kindly face and voice.
child, come in"
A sudden timidity oppressed the little
stranger and she entered without word,
but suddenly flash OF sunlight burst over
her face: "oh, Gutleib, hast thou come
back 2" she gasped.
"Aye, little one, but only to spend the
Christmas day with the mother, and then
away will HE to the great land beyond
the sea-"
"But thou canst give mo token for the
Wish Tree, the token, aurely thou canst."
1.-THE token" he asked slowly. "What
token? What is it child2" a sudden trem-
or in his strong voice.
"That do not know, bat Rita was cry
ling last night, and l heard her sob; oh,
q token from GutleibI I must die II 1t do
not come Then ] lay thinking and won
deripg. This morning ! knew nothing 10