The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-23

years old. Is it not so. child2"
Trudy could not say exactly, and the OLD
man continued:
ut is almost three years since everything was
in readiness for his wedding. Balthazar courted
Greta Luning, the daughter of our neighbor,
the smith. They had been fond of each other
from early childhood, and we, their parents,
desired nothing more-that they should con-
tinue to be happy together Ny wife had long
been dead, had been blind two years, Rather
inc had her husband and children, and it
seemed exactly right that Bathazar should
bring his wife home. It would have happened
earlier, but Greta had sick mother, whom she
nursed faithfully aud would not leave. She
was a strong, brave, good girl, with fair hair
and sweet countenance, and was never quar-
resome like Katherine, but would lend hand
wherever she was needed. Her mother lay
very i'll, and GFeta vowed that if her mother
recovered she would make pilgrimage to the
Holy Virgin at Wendischthun on the Elbe, on
the spot formerly occupied by heather god
And behold! although no one believed it pos
sible, the smiths wife was cured, and could
rise and attend to her household duties.
Then Balthazar said, Now, Greta, we are
Free But Greta, although willing, replied
Yes, but | must make my pilgrimage for if
/ break my VOW we shall be unhappy.
He admitted this, and Greta set out for Wen
dischthun under the protection of man who
the 1lmenau. When they were upon the Elbe
opposite to the Castle Bleckede, a number Of
boats shot out from among the willow thickets
along the shore. and surrounded the little yes
sci, while all who were therein unarmed as
they were, and notwithstanding their fright
and danger, joined in a pious song. The
strangers demanded toll. Heinz the knight,
forced them to hand over many tokens that
were intended for the Virgin Mary, and finally,
after he had surveyed all the other women, he
said to Greta, Come with me! thou pleasest
me-
Half dead with fear she entreated him to
spare her, but he only laughed and Knocked
her; she should have no unpleasant situation
in the Castle, he said and seized her by the
arm. His servant struck her hands with the
oars because she would not let go, and dragged
her over into the boat and giving the little
ship n push they fled with their prize.
When Greta's companions brought this bad
news, Balthazar acted like a mailman, and
prepared Immediately to go to the Castle with
the smith Luning, Katherine's husband, and
several other friends, and demand that his
bride should be given back to him. But the
bad Heinz led them wickedly on, until, when
they would not relax their efforts, he lost pa
thence and ordered his archers to shoot them
with arrows. Crashing with rage they were
forced to retire, and ever since Balthazar hates
and scorns the knight.
Trudy felt alternate chills and fevers crawl
ing along her back. She thinks she will throw
herself at her fathers feet, and confess that she
is concealing and nursing the enemy of the
family. She remembers the pleasant and
friendly Greta, and all the grief caused by her
abduction, but at that time she had never
heard the name OF Heinz. Now she knows his
name aud himself! She is firmly convinced that
Balthazar will kill him, and this dreadful
thought stupefies and restraints her, and again
l.yar 70 hnr fr,If
longer.
When Balthazar returned he said calmly
that he had found no trace of Heinz and went
out again Immediately after dinner to consult
with various citizens upon the safety of the
city, the murders of the Burgomaster and the
Captain and other matters of Importance.
Katherine stood with Trudy aad Gesche at
the well in the courtyard washing the blood
stains from the mems clothes.
Gertrude stands aud washes rubbing with
her hands, which are well accustomed to work,
with quiet energy; but her thoughts are not
upon her task. She thinks of one forsaken and
alone upon his straw pallet, counting the lone
ly hours through the fever attending his wound,
and feels that he cannot help accusing her for
she could find no way of reaching him during
the night of having forgotten, and the posi-
biIity of her betraying him. Then she seolds
herself for thinking compassionately of such a
wild fellow. Again she anxiously asks herself
whether she can succeed, after ALI How can
she save him? Is he really so base, so treach-
erous, so desperately wicked as she has been
made to believer And even IL he has been so
wicked, can he not be persuaded to reform He
is still young-she will entreat him to become
good. His eyes, though miscellaneous in their
expression, are full of feeling; there is no mall
ice in them. Oh if she could only see him
once more could oRly find some means of go
ing to him
Her glance strayed toward the side to which
the cellar extended under the stable. She saw
her white cat forcing her way out of small
hole in the wall, where two iron bars had come
apart, leaving an aperture through which she
could with difficulty squeeze herself She car
ried in her mouth piece of the thick skin of
ham, at which she began to gnaw when she
laid herself down in the sun.
Trudy had carried some ham to the knight
the evening previous, and he had shared it
with the POOR animal. Why should she not
communicate with him through this opening,
and possibly minister to his necessities? She
almost cried out with JOY as she saw the way
to help Heinz and to cheer him in his dark
ness. And she had so hated him But now a
new hope arose concerning him. Perhaps he
was not as bad as he had been represented.
As soon as she could find an opportunity she
would ask him about it. She could think of
nothing else and only longed for the time to
| GuiHS LIldt SilO uilSub SpGdh W hin NIbuOub
danger. At night her brother or one Of the ap-
preutces must be at the oven, and she cannot
slip out of the back door and glide through the
court without being seen and in daytime the
house is alive with people, tradesmen and mes
sengers; but she does not despair. She believes
that some way will open to enable her to con-
verse with him.
The day goes by. The events of the previous
night have produced leaden WEAKNESS. Luz
cas- must take charge of the oven again, for the
other apprentices are in their rooms not able
| to raise limb, and snoring in concert. Even
| the old man and Florian are in deep sleep.
| Balthazar seeks his couch early. Katherine,
| who has attended to the closing of the shutters,
| and locked everything, besides warning Lucas
| to be careful, is also quiet.
| Gertrude sits upon the side Of her bed, in her
! little room, listening carefully. A wooden
! handkerchief serves her instead of the warm
| guilt that she has given to the knight. She
winds it about her neck, for she has not I'M
dressed. She hears the cracking of the first
| twig in the oven, and the little tune that Lu-
cas- is softly whstling; then she hears the rat
| tie of the bundles of dry wood which he carries
| quietly from the shed, with which to feed the
fire. The Waterman in the street with his
horn has loudly and zealously assured the anx-
| ious citizens all day that everything is safe in
| the city.
Trudy passes the first hours of the night
in a gloomy state, between painful vigilance
and weary suspense At last she hears moth
ing more from Lucas. Leaving her shoes and
! taking the little basket of food which she had