The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-04-24
NUMBER I3.

mountain they met the doctor. and turnin
into little way side suberge, Dnnadio vs.
lsid upon bed, and physician and patien
were left alone. At last-sfter long tim
le seemed-the door was opened Lisel en-
VettC hfsA her eyes turned 10 the physician
with look OF agonized entreaty. Alas! h
I aVerted his glance from her. while Dnuadi
spoke in tone OF steady cheerfulness a
she took his hand Ia hers.
Take courage, Lieschen. l have haC
happy hours enough for lifetime zlnce yos
came to me. am not sad to r-s. For It Is
death there is no need to 80 me Call me
the priest, he added.
! When the priest had come and gone. Lisel
again took her place by her lover. to leave
/ him no more Afsunset he died and a. he
( had requested TO be carried to the church of
/ Santa Maria Saar. the kindly men who had
cauHed MIN 80 far waited until his BODY was
prepared for the grave and then taking up
the bier, they made ready for their sad Jour
ney- Still Lisel walked with them. holding
the cold hand OF her lover in her own
NO eDtresties or persuasions ayailed with
her; she seemed to hear nothing. to see
nothing. bat the beloved face 10 which her
strained, agonized eyes were ever turned.
AT midniRht they reached the church OF
Santa Maria Salr, aud laid their burden
tenderly before the altar. Lisel lifted then
the long bright 5raids which still Law on Do
nadio's breast, aud binding them around the
base OF the crucifx, she fastened them with
his hunting knife; then retUrGing TO the
bier, she knelt down and agafn took the cold
haGd OF the dead in hers. Thus she remafn-
ed all night the sole bridal night size was
ever to know.
Early In the .orning Donsdio's body was
laid in the oave but when the villagers
came to ~ simple funeral, they were aghsst
&C find whte-haired woman kneelIpo bv
he bir. Lissl's youth and beauty were al
rely OF the past into which Donadio's
Jung life had faded, and as she stood mute
and fearless beside his open grave. scarcely
any one present could recognize her hageard
face.
She lived four years after this, deyou,. 81.
lent, laborious but she wss never seen to
smile, nor did the lilies and roses ever bloom
again on her pale face. Four years after
Donadio's death she fell i'll of fever; srd
one cold March morning, as the priest came
TO say the Early Mass at the church of San
IA haI!a Saar, be found Lise kneelinR be-
fore the altar. She was almost unconscious;
'he chill of death was already upon her
There where she had made her VOW. where
she he'd kept her awful vigil beside the dead
body of her lover, there it was also appoint
I'd to her to make her last confession, to re-
,eiYe the last sacrsmeuts, and to enter into
rest. She died at dawn, and was buried on
-he following day in Donadio's grave. Ma.
ny years have come and gone since then, but
'he memory OF the love and sorrow of the
luiet sieepers in that quiet earth IS still
resh IN the hearts of the survivors. Gar
ands OF wild Alpine flowers are constantly
leaped upon the mound tho nfnus Mas
lnts Orten pray tnere and there also kDeel- 4
ng on either side, with hands clasped across
It, the Tyrolese lovers are wont to repeat
The solemn promise OF betrothaL