The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-08-23

friend in the world. He did his duty
scrupulously and conscientiously, and
was respected and feared by his depend
encs /; but no one came nearer the lonely
man during all those long years. His
charities were inexhaustible, and he was
kind and even sympathetic if any one
, was sick or in trouble, but he was none
the less unapproachable and cold, never
relaxing in his stern demeanor, nor had
his grief grown less by brooding over it
as the weary years passed slowly away.
One day sped with him like another.
A frugal breakfast at daylight, and an
equally frugal repast at night, after
which he read and studied until 10. then
went to bed. There were almost never
any visitors to the isolated Forsthaus.
and MS visits to the nearest town were
too rare and too brief to encourage So
ciability with his neighbors there.
The beginning of the winter l8- saw
the snow set in earlier and more storm
lily than usual, and, after steady fall
for ten days, it lay 80 high upon the
ground that the only way out of the
house was by its roof. This was not un-
usual, and, after it had hardened over,
the inmates turned out to their several
vocations as though they challenged so
slight thing to incommode them.
One night it began to snow again, and
the wind howled and beat against the
house as though it would wrench it
from the tirm-set clamps and chains,
and level 1t at one gust. Fritz had been
belated at work with some OF his men
that night, and as they were fighting
their way slowly and painfully through
the storm and darkness he had suddenly
stumbled against crouching object half
buried In the snow, which, when extri-
Gated, proved to be o woman clutchinR q
child In her arms, and to all appear
ances dead.
The men hastily improvised q litter
ont OF one Of their wraps, and shortly
afterward they were standing in the dark
passage of the Forsthaus. and Fritz was
giving directions to his female servants.
commanding that warm room and bed
be made ready and all restoratives ap-
piled to the unfortunate travellers, if
haply they might still be brought back
to life.
The child" he said, sis really show
ing signs OF reviving, and let me know
whether its mother be alive or dead. As
for you, my brave fellows, come in here
and get something hot to drink with
your supper"
And so he turned the woman over to
his female servants. Had the unfortu-
nate been man, Fritz would have been
the first ut his bedside, but he avoided
women, and such q case as this had not
occurred before.
Presently woman servant came in
and reported that the woman was alive.
but very i'll and delirious, and Fritz or
dered, If it were possible, that some one
should make his way over to the nearest
station next day and fetch doctor.
For weeks this woman lay in his house
lowering between life and death. Daily
he inquired for her, and allowed his wo-
men servants to give up their whole time
to nursing her and the child, but other
wise she did not interfere with his life.
Once the child had run in his way, hold
ing out its arms in establishment and de-
light at the forester's gay trappings, but
Fritz had passed her by gloomily, and
sternly ordered that "every care and
attention shonld be bestowed on her.
but that she should be kept out Of his
way" And it never happened again.
After months of illness and GONZALES
cence, the sick woman was completely
restored to health, and with her rastora-
ton spring also had set in, and she was
anxious to proceed on her way.
Before going she craved to see the
master and thank him in person, and
though warned and dissuaded by all
the inmates Of the Forsthaus, she
could not be induced to leave without
doing so. =.... w..
So one evening at twilight, just after
his return, as he was disincumbering
himself of his gun, q timid tap was
heard at the door Of his room, and the
interloper being bid to enter, o woman
softly opened the door ana crossed the
threshold.
"Who is it?' Fritz asked, standing
with his back to the window, intent on
examining his gun.
1.-The woman whom You have sEel-
tered 80 long, sir. May I not be privi-
legged to speak to you, or to thank you,
sir?"
II have done no more than common
humanity demanded, and 1 do not love
thanks" answered the master, turning
to look at her. But when he did 60 he
gasped and stood spell bound
The last rays Of the failing light fell
fon on her slender figure, partially
turned aside from him. His eyes caught
the superb outline Of shoulders, bust
and waist, revealed by the close fitting
black dress, and the glorious great knot
of bright hair drawn back from her pale
cheek and coiled behind. With q wild
bound he was at her side, and she turned
her face toward him,
: I" "Kathleenl Ny God! is it youi"
FRITZ" she stammered, growing
deadly pale "not Fritz Linden2"