The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1886-09-03


tary salute. ..You here, Herr Lieuten-
ant!' he exclaimed. THERE have
actually remembered to call you by
your title. l feared that it would be
dilhcult to remember at first.
II don't want you to remember - re-
sponded Franz.
''At least, 1 can't forget-no one who
knows you will ever forget how you
won your title. You must letme thank
you, Franz the familiar name slipped
out, and Wilhelm did not recall it
''for the honor which you have brought
upon the regiment
The young officer responded briefly.
He had not come here for a tribute of
thanks or praise; its reception troubled
him. He looked down on his COM
rade's face-blanched and saCldened by
illness and Imprisonment, and words
in which to convey his sympathy were
/ difficult to be found. His emotions"
as an American author has neatly
said-"were entertained in a chamber
of his heart, remote from the portals of
speech" he feared now TO appear i'm
pertinent or patronizing.
"What-what are you going to do
with your future?'' he blurted out ct
4tob. Ills DtulLutSS NCl-b ST. al IlCL W
his companion S heart than any elabOr-
ate expression of sympathy could have
gone.
There viii BE no great change
Father Andreas was here this morning;
he says that l am to keep my cid posi-
ton as sacristan, with a boy to do the
heavy work. My wages will be re-
duced, but an army pension is to be
given me, and will make up the defci-
ency. And when granny gives up the
hU5iness-she talks of retiring sOOn-1
am to succeed to the stock-in-trade."
Franz drew forward chair and
seated himself, but his conversational
huency did not increase. ''How famil-
lar the place looks! One forgets that
one has been away" he said at length,
glancing round the little room, with its
well-worn table and chairs, with the
print of the Madonna, with the bowl of
potato salad set ready for supper on the
old armOire.
Yes, one forgets sometimes"
The response was not emphatic. ''Will
you smoke, Herr LieuteLant?'
mo, thanks. | must rising, with
start betOkening self-reminder-''b
going on to the Lust Garter; the Herr
Major is expecting me; 1 only looked
in TOR a little moment on my way.
Good evening""
Good evening. Thank YOU for
your visit"
''Ich bite"
When Franz was gone Wilhelm
flung himself upon his bench and
buried his face in the cushions. His
self-composure had been perfect while
his visitor was present; but, now that
he was alone, the contrast between his
own lot and that of Franz occurred to
him with a fresh sense of pain. He
was tired and weak; and the sudden
ness of the interview had unnamed
him. The sound of sacred music and
Of singing voices was borne in upon
him from the church; above his head
hung the pictured compassionate face
of the Mother of Sorrows. But Will
helm did not open his ears-did not lift
his head. Franz never mentioned
Gretchen. And II had not courage
to ask when the betrothal ceremony
would take place"
Still the organ pealed on. To VIII
helms excited fancy it seemed like
the sound of marriage music-the
music which would one day sound for
the bridal of Franz and Gretchen.
"Gretchen!' he cried "My Crotch
en-! o, how can I bear it?'
Presently he grew quieter. ''What
coward l ami he thought. THE
EngIishman spoke Of moral victory; he
meant, l suppose, victory over self.
Ach! that is a hard victOry-the harder,
perhaps, because no one knows and no
one praises. But l can bear my pain
can, and 1 will"
There came touch on his arm.
Looking up he saw, to his intense sur
prise, that Gretchen was kneeling be-
side him; her face was lifted to his;
tears were in her bright eyes.
Wilhelm tried to raise, but the de-
tanning touch was still upon his arm
THAT it should have needed this!'
the girl exclaimed passionately; "that
it should have needed thy suffering
thy brave surrender of all thy heart
held dearest-to teach me how entirely
l loved thee"
''Gretchenr'
The girl rose. She stood before
Wilhelm, more beautiful than he had
ever seen her;a newly revealed tender
ness TRANSPORTING her face.
''When first heard of Franz's dis
tinction," she said, Il reioiced; but
when the whole village blazed up at
the tidings, l learned almost to hate
him in my jealousy. For l thought of
thee. And it seemed to me a Drawer
and a greater thing to bear pain and
loss, unnOticed and accomplishing, for
country's sake, than in the heat and
rush of battle to do some deed Of des-
perate valor which should be rewarded
by a lifetime of praise"
Wilhelm had risen, too. He looked
wonderingly into Gretchen's face. He
could not as yet grasp the whole
meaning OF her words; the charm of her
presence dazzied and confused him.
"My hero!" The girl caught his
right hand and held it to her breast, to
her lips. Il was never worthy of thy
love. But since l have learned to
realize the vanity and frivolity Of my
past life. l have learned to prize thee
at thy true worth. Thy letter of re-
nunciation reached me this morning.
/ am here to answer it in person. If
my love has any value for thee still,
take it, for ''-Gretchen' S voice sank to
a whisper-''it is thine
Wilhelm understood now. The blood
mounted TO his face, his lips trembled.
strange, unsteady voice. i can not
accept the sacrifice. ! must not let thy
pity blind thee To-
.'Pity-who dares pity thee! I am
not pitiful, but proud-proud of thy
forGtude and thy patience. But If
thou hast pity for me, and for my
many faults-if thou carest for me
still"
Gretchen's voice broke. Wilhelm's
arm stole round her, her head rested
against his shoulder, he bent down
and touched her hair with his lips.
But in the midst Of his rejoicing pain
full remembrance occurred to him.
der arme Franz he exclaimed, with
a blank face.
..Eranz. Don't be troubled for him.