, 1886-08-03

off her wreath of myrtle and put on a
very large hood, which was part OF
the peasants costume, such as used to
be worn about here, which she was going
to wear as a diguise. The poor mother
was speechlees with grief. and seemed
quite dazed at the prospect Of losing her
beloved daughter.
Meantime Karl Dernau, who had also
dressed himself like a peasant, had
brought a poor, miserable, one-horsed
and. after the most heartrending leave
takings, Lorchen was lifted in, weeping
bitterly. The night had grown pitch
black by this time; the lightning flashed
and the thunder rolled in the distance;
but under the cover Of the darkness, the
pair safely effected their escape across
the neighboring frontier, to where the
French had not yet gained a footing,
Lorchen passing for a sick peasant girl
who wss being taken to some famous
woodworking doctor. AS Karl Der
nau drove off on his strange wedding
journey he looked so brave and
tender and self-reliant that we who
were left behind felt a comfortable as
surance that our little bird would be
safely hidden in her nest with him for
her protector. Two years passed, and in
the meantime l had been married in the
regular, ordinary way, in broad daylight,
with bridesmaids and wedding break
fast, and without any of the .ther I'M
canny romance which had attended
Lorchen's wedding. Still, who knows
whether the mere fact of our having
taken part together in this romantic af-
fair did not lead to our own marriage?
Be this as it may, it is quite certain that
the next time Fritz Berger and I found
ourselves inside the little chapel it was
for our own wedding.
After a time things went better in the
town, and as the French were less IA
vored by those in authority it was
thought safe for the fugitives to come
back; and, as by the death of his father,
Karl had become the owner of the house
Lorchen's parents had rented-rhe very
house we are in to-day-they came and
settled here, and her mother with them,
and all lived happily together. How
happy we were to be together again. and
the very first time we mad a quiet hour
Lorchen told me the story of her be-
trothed, which l had never properly I'M
derstood till then.
"You see, Christel," said she, "you and
/ were very intimate, and you did know
all my secrets-almost; but you did not
know that l cared for Karl for a long
time past. l was ashamed to confess it
either to you or myself. But when he
came to the cellar-window that dread
full day, just when l was in the greatest
danger, and drove it in-I was too dazed
to dare to open it myself-and when he
lifted me up, and before l well knew
where 1 was, took me into the cellar of
his own house, well, hen 1 knew that
did care for him, and 1 began to cry.
And her he sat down by me and quietly
took hold of my hand, and when / was
able to speak l thanked him and begged
his pardon for having made such fun of
him before. You "a guess what fol-
lowed. Our betrothal was not very ro-
mantle, Christel, for we sat upon an old
sugar chest, and my dress was torn and
dusty, and the air of the cellar was damp
and musty. But what did we care for
that? There were roses all around us,
and We were in Elysium, and as for the
romance, we had enough before the day
was out to last a whole lifetime"
This was Lorchen's confession, and
we both thanked heaven for making us
SO happy and bringing us together again
We two kept together through all that
time of terrible waiting and fighting and
misery. But at last-at last came the
news of victory, and the hills blazed
with bonfires. The fatherland was free
and our loved ones were safe and
coming home crowned with laurels. We
had suffered a great deal, but thought
ourselves fortunate in having been al
lowed to look on while such great events
were doing.
"But where have l got to with my
chattering? l was only going to tel
you"
"Ohl Granny" 1 interrupted, "yor
have not told me a bit too much;
could listen all day"
"Well," said she with a smile, you de
serve something for giving up going t.
the chapel to sit with an old woman.
When l began l only meant to tell you
how Aunt Dernau was imprisoned in the
cellar, hat you might see what a dan
gerous gift beauty is"
@H-m, Granny, 1 don't like YOU
moral" l answered. THE French arr
far enough off now, and for my OWL
part l shouldn't mind running the risk
of being tolerably nice looking"
Granny was going to scold, but the
corners of her mouth twiched, and
before she could recover herself 1 had
jumped up, e%xclaiming:
Listen, the bells have been ringing
this long time; the wedding is over, anc
they will be here directly!"
/ went once more hastily through the
rooms to see that everything was il
order, and then l strewed flowers al
down the stairs to the front door, anc
her Granny and 1 waited at the win
dow.
Soon the head of the procession mad,
its appcarence-such a long, long process
sion-frst came the old people, severa
couples, and then the young ones, ant
lastly the grandchildren all decked with
flowers; but the bridal pair, who wer,
that day celebrating their golden wed
ding, were the most beautiful sight Of
all.
Aunt Dernau looked lovely in her blue
lowered damask and three-cornered lace
handkerchief, with the golden sprays O
myrtle in her hair; and Uncle Dernau
with his snow-white curly hair and tall
upright figure, looked most dignified ant
quite grand, too; for. beside the COLDER
sprig in his button-hole, he wore tn,
orders and decorations which he hac
won during the war. How tender anc
careful he was of his little wife, tool
Just as tender and affectionate as h,
had been to the young beauty when HI