The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-11-08

Ntlit ana tN ljitttu Ill dbOub III 10 Unem.
and will make up a plausible story by
which they can account for your pres
ence-for instance: An English family.
travelling through Germany, has left
their daughter with them for her health
while they travel farther. You do not
speak German and will not be asked
any questions, which will be very con-
Venient. Until can get word to them,
though, you must remain in my rooms.
l will relate the whole story to Fritz
and the porter, and put it upon their
honor to help me-.
The beautiful blue lake of Lach
Who can describe it? The water-lilv
plants are visible hundreds of feet be-
low its surface; and, set in their lovely
green beds of moss and ferns and tan
gled vines, linking together the dark
frs on the shores, the waters rival in
loneliness the heavens blue. Its weird
beauty is enhanced by the legend of
how sH accursed monastery stood on
an island in the middle of the lake long
ago, and one midnight, as the old
monks were Mt their carousals, vol
cano burst forth near by and sank it in
the lake, and now, when the winds are
perfectly still, the groans of these mis-
cradle spirits and the sound of the
monastery bell rung in distress, are
heard at midnight on the water over
the spot; and indeed, not far from the
shore, the crater of an extinct volcano.
among lovely flowers and wild rasp-
| berry bushes. has furnished the ropf4sssisAc
tic German imagination the material
for the legend. On one shore the five
towers of the immense deserted Elev-
enth-century Benedictine abbey and
church loom up above the trees. Across
the lake, half an hour rowing distant,
between Il PERCEPTIONS wall of rock,
OyergroWn with vines, and the water S
edge, is the empty Jesuit college, where,
in winter, Hans and Babettes' presence
alone prevent the lonely lake from be-
ing an utter solitude.
The witching spirit of the place had
gradually crept over Lucette, and
soothed the pain OF her unnstural po-
sition. While it was still summer she
used to sit on the shore where the
water rippled among the reeds, and
think, until her poor brain ached, of
some way out of it all. When it grew
colder, she lowered around Babette,
learning to spin, and creeping into the
old woman's heart, full of sympathy for
her silent, gentle guest.
Max had made them n flying visit
Ito satisfy himself that everything was
going on right he said, and one cold
November afternoon was back for the
second time, surprising Lucette at the
spinning wheel. He came in laughing,
saying his responsibilities as guardian
were making an old man of him. ''In
fact, don't know what [ used to think
about, Lucette, before had you to think
of; it seems so natural now to be taking
care of you that"
But it is not natural" interrupted
Lucette. land | am always trying to
plan way to relieve you of the charge.
| 1t must be SOON
"Why, what is the matter with the
little hermit? | thought you were con-
tented here now. Is it too lonelyP Are
you growing tired of Babette?'
so, no! l would be happy if it were
right to be here; but it is not, and |
mustgo away"
A startled look came into Max face
"Promise me-" he said, Selling her
hand, ''promise me that you will not
go away. [ will not let go your hand
until you do"
can only promise you not to go be-
fore | feel | can stay no longer" she
answered eXtricating her hand.
"This is all folly. Where could you
60 without money?-for you have
never accepted any from me. and you
must need some now. Everybody
want clothes, too, for the bundle Fritz
got at the school was very small, and
this dress" stopping to scrutinze her
appearance, sis not warm enough for
this weather. | came almost on pur-
poSe'to see how You were dressed. Do
you know" and he broke into a laugh,
81 found myself wondering the other
day, in the lecture, when | ought to
have been taking my notes, if you did
not need pair of boots?. Don't you?
80, assure you, no." and she
blushed as she drew her feet as far
under her chair as possible.
iHbU iilOfCiutl6 HUNS very SuS-
picious, and firmly believe you do.
SO I'll send a pair along with the other
things, only l will have to guess at the
size"
80, please don'tr' she pleaded. 81
could not accept anything You have
already done more for me than 1 can
ever thank you for; am more grateful
than you can ever know"
"And with that ought to be con-
tented, [ suppose" He arose and
walked to the window.
you forget" said Lucettc, quietly,
''what you should remember, that it is
your duty not to think of me at all"
81 know what you mean" he an
swered, impatiently. "You are always
reminding me of my cousin; but you
would not be SO severe if you knew how
she amuses herself in my absence.
As he was going away after the hour
and-a-half visit, he said, as he took her
hand to bid her goodbye; 81 was
tempted little while ago to empty the
eXchequer here. AS reward for not
doing it, won't you call me Max-iust
once before go?"
Without hesitating she looked up in
his face and said MAX"
He seized her face in his two hands,