Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-12-18

| other. I'm stiff with jumping, and j
haven't bagged buck for five days. "
Wouldn't mind having spell OF
pleasure, dare say?-couple of months
in France, now? Come, come, you're
not drinking. Well have another
pint. Money was made TO spend.
Drink and be merry, you young dog,
you, say"
When quite unfolded, Won Hausen's
plans were something as follows: Ber-
nezell was to meet Rudolf in the hills,
and prevent his return for a couple of
months at least. He was on no ac-
count to come near the village for that
time, nor see Gretty, to whom he was
bctrothed. The "old Bird" as Barne-
zell called him, was topay all expenses,
but the young man must be kept in
Paris in the midst of gayety, and must
never for moment be allowed tothink
Of home. Nor must he write, or VIXEN
he did his letters were to be destroyed.
"Suppose," said Bernezell, "he MISS
es his foothold among the mountains,
and tumbles in a crevasse?"
The old man positively rubbed his
hands and cackled with delight.
Capital! capital! capital" was all
he could say. "Ha! ha! ha! Capital!
Virtue is always triumphant in the end.
He! her'
Bernezcll smiled in his face as he
said:
"Of all the old sinners that ever
lived"
"EhP eh? What's that?" cried Won
,hSN haI
IL said you were right merry old
SOUL shouted BerneZell.
"Ha! ha! Yes, merry, but not so old,
you know
That very night this misery Won
Hansen counted out to Bernezell one
by one the pieces of gold; for the cham
ois-hunter was to start early next day.
Il declare" said Won Hansen, lit is
like buying a wife. Precious expensive
affair. But can trust you"
Certainly; virtue, you know, is al
ways"
go on! 90 onr' cried Won Hansen;
good night. Go home and sleep"
go home and sleep indeed" said
Bernezell to himself, rs he trudged off
with his gun on his shoulder. Eyes;
but not before I've seen Gretty."
Once clear of the village, he took his
way hillwards up the glen. High up
in the middle of the mountain lights
were gleaming-it was now dark; they
came from the windows of Gretty's
cottage. A very humble hut it was,
though very pretty and rustic. Gretty
lived here with her mother, tended the
goats, and looked after the dairy, for
the old woman seldom left her chair
all day.
Grctty ran to meet Bernezcll, and
took both his rough hands in her own
wee white ones. Was he not n friend
of her lovers? She led him in, and
the old woman nodded, smiling. at q
stool near the bright, cheerful fire of
wood.
Gretty had just dressed for the even
ing, and, very simple, but neat, was
her attire. She was slight and delicate
in form, with sparkling eyes and IN
eager, pretty face.
She asked fifty questions of Bernezell,
nearly all on the same subject; and
when the chamois-hunter babe the
mother goodnight at last, and went
away, he beckoned Gretty to follow.
He has something to tell me-" said
Gretty to herself, her fair face flushing
with anxiety.
Very humble are the heroes of this
little tale, but in Gretty's eyes her Ru-
dolf was by no means humble. No
young man in all the glen was SO tall,
fresh, and rosy, so stalwart and strong,
as Rudolf, goat-herd though he was.
None had so beautiful voice, so white
brow, such glossy hair. None could
bound from crag TO crag or climb the
mountain steep axe in hand, so brave
ly as he did, and his wild glou-glou at
sunrise or sunset could be heard ring
ing high DER hill and glen, and re-
echoed, too, from peak to peak. And
Gretty, simple lassie, loved him 30 dear
ly and devotcdly.
There was n scimitar 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 well. Here was seat, and Berne-
zell did not say word, anxious though
Gretty was, until he got there. The
truth is that this honest chamois-hunter
hardly knew what to say, or how much
he dare in fairness tell the girl.
Probably he ought to have thrown
the miser's money in his face, and stig-
matizing him as n 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 mountains before; an as
sassin is easily hired. No, I'll take the
cash, and I'll keep Rudolf away for
time. l shall not spend the money,
though / have a brother in Paris who
will be glad TO see us. And the gold
I'll send as gift to Gretty's mother,
when her daughter is married. She
1t will keep her in comfort for years"
"Gretty, my little sister," no 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 we'll. He and going
together. 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
true?n
There were tears and prayers and
entreaties, yet Bernezell RENAME as
firm as the rocks that lowered above
them; but when he left next day 10
seek his friend in the hills. he carried
with him a lock of bonnie hair in tiny
parcel, and beside it the blue ribbon
that had bound it.
Rudolf was rejoiced at the idea of GO
ing to Paris. but couldn't he 60 to sec
Gretty first? No, there was not an