Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-06-25

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| darling? Thou'it be first-rate nurse ere
come again. and he kissed his betrothe1 on
either cheek and went away.
II.
Lieschen was sitting in the sick-room ons
hot summer afternoon, her patient asleep on
the couch, and the warm fragrant air float
| ing in with the murmuring Of bees at the
| open window. Her work lay in her lap, but
her hands were idle, and her eyes gazing
| dreamily out at the sky, while very, very
low and softly she sang,
"War' ich Elm Vo2elein.'
@Brava, bravai' nurmured voice from
the couch behind her "a. sweet voice and a
sweet song!'
Iieschcn colored at his praise and went
and knelt by his side.
Il thought you were asleep. You are
stronger-you feel better; life is coming
backr she said, in a voice quite tremu
lous with joy. "Ach, Colt! You have been
| SO i'll; do you not know it,"
He smiled family.
sHow long have l been here!' he asked
@Nearly three weeks" she answered See,
how thinI" and she lifted up the hand that
lay upon the coyerlet, and showed him how
wasted it had grown.
He looked at it with languid sort of curl
osty, and then let it fall heavily by mis- side,
and turned his head on the pillow to look at
her.
"And who art thou, dear child!7 he asked
presently.
Il am Elise Uterhart-Lieschen they call
me- This is my home; ! live here with my
father and nurse, and keep the house"
"And hast thou nursed me all these weeks"
Eyes" she answered; "and have prayed
for you when thought you were dying, and
see, the dear God has heard. You live and
you will grow strong again"
Dear child! l owe thee my life. What can
give thee or do for thee!"
Indeed, know not; It's nothing l have
done, only watching" stammered Lieschen.
"Tell me your name,' and she once more
raised her eyes to his.
He tried to hold out his hand, and she put
hers into it. Let be, them" he said slowly;
'there is tine enough. My name: My name
is Otto Won der Lanken. l."
.Ach! You are tired" interrupted the
girl, seeing helpless look come into his eyes
as he broke off. "Drink this, and dc not
speak any more"
She raised his head witt, one arm, and lie
drank the milk she hell to his lips. Then she
laid him down upon the pillows, and went
back to her seat by tho window, lie watching
her with the idle look Of man still too weak
to speculate about things, or think any
thoughts, but one or two that seemed of them
selves TO pass in and ont of his brain.
Lieschen smiled and shook her head at him
''Shut your eyes and sleep" said she, with
pretty little authoritative air.
@Sing then he murmured, inclined to
dictate bis own terms, and watching her
every gesture with passive enjoyment; "sing
to me-"
Lieschen could think of no song but the one
she had been singing when he woke which
was still running in her head, and she sang it.
"'Tis very sweet" he murmured, "and
plain to see that thou knowest what love is.
Sing again--the last verse again"
So she sang it again, and he closed his eyes
and slept
So the SLOW summer days went by Every
day lie grew a little stronger, and by degrees
she gathered from him the story of the duel
which had SO nearly been fatal to him; how
he and his friend had quarreled about lady
and had fought.
Il suppose they thought me dead, and left
me-" said Otto. "One has not much time TO
lose on these occasions Poor Rudolf lie
since no harm is done
"And the ladyp asked Lioschen, breath
lessly.
"She will marry Rudolf, no doubt" replied
Otto, with a hard laugh; "and | shall dance
Of the wedding
Iieschon said nothing; but the great dar!.
eyes that rested on his face We're lighted with
now fire. burning worship, an unspeak
l,.,- a
thrilled with new, sweet, mysterious pain.
The die was cast.
At last there came a day when Otto Won
der I.anken bade farewell. lie went through
the garden looking for his little nurse to say
goodbye to her, but could not find her; then
he saw little footmarks in the sandy path
under the roses and syringas that led down
on to the shore. He followed them AMI
found Lieschen standing by the tide looking
out to sea.
"Lieschen," lie said. coming UP to her, al
am come to say good-byeH
"Oh, not to-dayr cried L:escl.en, clasplg
her hands AID looking up at him with her
great piteous eyes; mot so soon!'
''Doch ia, lebes Kind, be answered Kindly:
u am well again and strong, thanks to my
good little Lieschen, and it is time to he mp
and doing. And now" he added, seeing the
tears rush b, her sye,. @now what can 10
for thee, sweet child' Ask what thou wilt"
She looked up at him moment, standing
there so tall and straight and fair, with the
sun on his bright hair and the blue sky shin
ing in his eyes, and then she put her hands
over her face and sobbcd aloud like little
child.
"DonncrT calculated tbs Young count
., L. f,,,
lie drew a step nearer "Dear little Lieschen,
don't cry, Tor PHYS sake! What can / do
for thee! Tell me"
20. give your lovc--your love- She cried
out passionately. "iove me, # only little,"
aud then she broke down utterly, and leaned
her little brown head sainst Lis arm, crying
bitterly.
"Why, that thou hast, dear one-not a lit
tie, but great deal Who could help loving
thcel' he answered sootEinsly. ASK sonle-
thing harder, for my love thou hast"
After long paus she looked up through
her tears. and thou wilt-thou wilt come
lack enc day.
why. surely" said he, Al am no. worth
these tears. pretty one! Be happy, right
happy, til come again. Adisu now, sweet
childl Auf Nieaersehenl auf baldig Wieier-
sehen.7 lie stopped aud kissci her on the
forehead. and went away up the sand, turn
ing under the syriugas to wave another fare
well, AMI then she heard his horses hoofs
Gathering up the yard and he was gone
Gone! How it haunted her day after day
as she Passed in and out Of the house, empty
of his presence; down the garden and the
meadows. which knew lis step and voice no
more; and upon the shore where he bad bid
den her farewell Weeks passed before she
at all turned from the feeling of missing HIM