Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-01
nATEs OF xDVERT1s1NG'
LOVES REWARD:
OR,
THE RIVALS PLOT.

THE RIVALS PLOT
They made pretty couple as they stood
| IN the shadow OF the vine-covered cottage
in that quaint old German town. A fair
haired girl with f1axen hair and violet ewes.
md the sun-browned youth, In picturesoue
garb, at her side. The girl was saying, az
she smiled through her tears: 81 wish I
we're man, Conrad. / would 90 with you
to the wars. What will your poor mother
do in your absencep"
| 81 shall expect you, Zina, to comfort her
in my absence, ''he said, sadly. "See these
gold pieces. opening his purse. II shall
leave her with enough money for some time
to come"
| they had exchanged last embrace, Zina
said firmly:
"Whatever happens to you, l will be
| true. If God wills it that you fall in battle
| shall live faithful to your memory as if
were your widow"
So they parted with heavy hearts, he to
the wars and she to the dull routine OF her
daily life.
Zins was also beloved by another village
youth, Heinrich Altman, and the news that
Conrad had gone to the was filled him
With new hope. he was the telegraph ope-
rator in town and through his hands passed
| all the teiegrams from the seat Of war, for
the morning paper. He brought Zna all
the news.
One day he brought her the copy of
dispatch describing how Conrad had acted
n cowardly manner during an engage
| ment Zns refused TO believe word of it
and told Heinrich to leave the House at
once.
As time passed and no Jews came from
Conrad, 1t was rumored about town that he
was disgraced and Zina's mother now wor-
ried her da tighter early and late to marry
Altman, who had come into money.
At last, nearly crazad by the constant
strain upon her mind, Zlna made sudden
resolve. Sho would leave home secretly
and 90 and offer herself as a nurse for the
wounded soldiers, and thus by relieving the
suffsrings of others mitigate her own
anguish.
Had Conrad's mother been living, Zina
would not have had the heart to go, for the
lonely old woman had been dependent upon
her fo7 many kindly services. But abo-t a
week after Conrad's departure shs was
found one morning apparently in deep
sleep, so peaceful and quiet that at first
Ziua hesitated to disturb her; but it was
the SluuDcr THAT knOWs uO WAhtDR.
Great CONSERVATION prevailed in the
household when Zina was found to be miss
ing. As often happens, when It was too
late to change their course of action Zina's
parents regretted their harshness.
Heinrich, too, felt the pangs of sorrow
and of unavailing remorse as he saw how
useless his plotting had proved, and that it
had brought misery to the girl he loved
He found that true heart will be still true,
though the object Of affection be faulty;
that to hate the sin is not necessarily to
hate the sinner.
As Zna started out alone and unprotect-
ed on her tedious pilgrimage, oftentines
her heart throbbed with fear as she met
and passed groups Of rough-lookiug mon
But her chosen gsrb of v Sister of Charity
proved a most effectual safeguard. The
most rude and reckless respected its sane
tity and made no attempt to gaze at the
face sheltered in its sombre hood.
When about three days journey from
home she came upon a temporary hospital
| which had been fitted up for the accom-
4 modation of the wounded soldiers. Here
she proffered her services. which were glad
| " accepted. She was taken at once into
| the ranks of nurses, for the supply was far
short of the demand. For days she work
ed faithfully among the poor fellows of one
ward, binding up their wounds and lend
| ing n sympathiaing ear to their messages
for distant friends.
Then she was changed to a different
ward. As she entered it and glanced pity
ingly around what was her surprise to see
Conrad's face lying pale and disfgured up
on one of the snowy pillows.
She gave an involuntary ciy aud started
forward Mingled with her sorrow at sight
= Il, IL. Il. -Lxl.
one cheek and extended to the temple, was
a surging tide OF Joy at the thought that
here was evidence to prove that her copfid-
enoe had not been misplaced. No coward
could carry a mark like that. he had re-
csived it face to face with HE foe. And
conspicuous from Its bright-colorsd ribbon,
a decoration lay upon his breast. Zina re-
cOgnixed it to bs like the ons worn by an
aged vsteran at homo, Who had won 1t by
bravery which had caused him to Be- ever
after inca apacitatsd from active duty, but
which had mad. him the one person in the
place sought out by visitors Of notability.
Often had her tiny fngers touched the old
mans precious badge reyereutly and ad-
miriugly, and Conrad wore one.
With the speed of light these thoughts
and conclusions flashed through her mind
as she stood beside his bed. Suddenly his
eyes Op6neu Anu hufIl6u COWdru8 ntr.
"Oh, Conradl' she mumured. sinking
upon her knees beside him. II am hereI
Do you not know your own ZnaP' for
wild fear had darted into her mind as she
met his Indifferent, uumeaning stare. Had
be been bereft of reason by that terrible
wound? But, no: he knew the voice aud
put forth hand to grope aimlsssly about
until it closed upon Zina's slender fingers.
Then he said:
"Thank God that you have come to me
that eau hear you speak once more be-
fore die?"
'.Don't talk of dying. cannot bear it.
l have come to take such care of you that
you will live." sobbed Zina.
II do not wish to live. Do you see that
I am blind? 1t is better for me to die than
TO drag out wretched, burdensome exist
cnce."
The girl bsut and covered his hand with
PASSIONATE kisses.
"Blind or not, it matters little to me so
that you are alive. If you only could know
how have longed to see you"
From the day that Zina found him Con-
rad began to grow better, and in few
weeks was able TO be moved. To the joy
of all his friends be returned home entirely
cured. even oil his blindness. There was a
great wedding in the church. but Altman
vas not shere-uor did the happy couple
miss him.-Nep York Jomraoi.
fyor-poN gryrro -Tnara ara po~ thraa