The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-09
,al, And eretty, simple lassie, loved him so


dearly and deyotedly.
There was a sciniter moon shining through
the pine tree tops, and the stars were all out so
there was light enough to see the footpath that
led to the we'll Here was a seat, and Bernezell
did not say word, anxious though Gretty was
until he got there The truth is that this honest
channels hunter hardly knew what to say or how
much he dare in fairness tell the girl.
Probably he ought to have thrown the misers
money in his face, and, stigmatizing him as a
villain refused to have anything to do with his
plans and schemes. But he thought IF l do
my friends life is not worth days purchase
Murder has been committed among these mount
aims before. An assassin is easily hired No,
I'll take the cash. and III keep Rudolf away
for time. l shall not spend the money, hough
l have a brother in Paris who will be glad to see
US, and the gold I'll send as a gift to Gretty's
mother when her daughter is married. She will
not know where it came from, and it will keep
her in comfort for years."
"Gretty, my little sister," he said, when they
were seated by the well; ''you won't see nor hear
from your lover for two whole months He is
well and will be well. He and l are going to
gether 1t will be for your good-at least for
your mothers. l cannot tell you more. Nay, 1
pray you do not ask My mouth is sealed You'll
be trueP
There were tears and prayers and entreaties
yet Bernezell remained as firm as the rocks that
lowered above them; but when he left the next
day to seek his friend in the hills he carried
with him a lock of bonnie hair in a tiny par
eel, and beside it the blue ribbon that had
bound it.
Rudolf was rejoieed at the idea of going to
Paris, but couldn't he go to see Gretty frst2 No,
there was not an hour to lose. He must come at
once or stay.
Then nj CO." said the young man. 81 can
trust Gretty!"
You may, indeed"
'And what deal I'll have to tell her when
do get back
Yes, said Bernezel, laughing.
SO away they went together over the hills.
Old Won Hansen was a friend of Grettys
mother. Grettys father and he had been in
separable He came to the cottage now every
day. He read to the old lady and talked much
with the daughter His universal themes were
money and poverty-the pleasures the former
could bring the misery entailed by the latter
He preached the subject nearest his heart first
to the mother, and, strange or not strange, he
gained her consent to marry Gretty. Meanwhile
weeks flew by, and there was no word from
Rudolph. Weeks and month, and then two
On, what could have become of hint Was he
falsel Impossible.
But a terrible storm with slight shock of
earthquake took place, and all Gretty's goats
appeared to have stampeded during the night
At all events, the doors were found open, and
the goats had fallen or been thrown over prec-
plce near the cottage. Near that dear old well
where she had plighted her troth she new must
sit and weep All! it was the mournful tale of
Aud Robin Gray repeating ITSELF for Gretty's
Mother she fell siek;'
poverty stared them in the face, and they were
beholden to the charity of Won Hansen, the
miser.
with her knitting needles Work was the only
consolation, the only relief, she could find And
her face grew wan, and dark circles appeared
about her beautiful eyes. What can be harder
to bear than grief and poverty too? Many months
went by, and still no lover returned. Won Hau-
sen had heard he was dead; that did not add to
Gretty's grief Some else heard he was
married; this was worse, but she bore it. Mean
while where were the truantsl
Bernezell had found his brother ailing, and at
the end of a month medical men had prescribed
voyage to Madeira They would just get back
within five weeks, then they would both return
to the dear little cot among the Swiss mountains
and Rudolf would marry his Gretty. Here at
Madeira Bernezell's brother died.
1--WE are wealthy now, alas!' said Bernezel
land we'll go shares"
The steamer that was to take them to France
was week behind time One day, "Yonder
she is" shouted Rudolf and off they both went
and were bundled on board The ship STAYED
the distant Cape. They had boarded the wrong
boat!
There came day when in the little cot among
the hills Gretty sat weeping by her mothers
bedside, and near her stood Won Hansen The
doctor had just gone Nothing, he had said
except change could save the patients life.
Now, Gretty, my child now or never"
cried the old man. 'Be my wife Give me the
right to save your mothers ife. Gretty, be
mine"
Gretty's mother did not speak, but
she gazed in Grettys face till her heart was like to
break"
Gretty stood up-tearess now, but with sad,
pale face. She took her mothers hand.
Give me the right to save your mothers
life" pleaded the miser once more
STAY" cried a manly voice; Il have a prior
claim" Next moment, with fond cry and color
in her cheeks once more, Gretty was pressed to
her lovers breast.
That day three weeks, ''dinkle-dinkleA dnkle
dang went the village bells. Not pretty bells
at all-indeed, I always thought they were pot
metal-but how sweetly they sounded in Gret-
tvs ears! She was going to church to get mar
ried. That ends my story as marriage ends all
stories. Yet one word: A few years after this
the old miser died, and Rudolf found himself his
heir, "As some reparation," said the will, 'for
evil done and meditated