Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-04-27
MR.. MAX.

~
aud rest with the dear Frau Merz and all
tho children. though you or could see
neither among that noisy crew Of six
four big boys, then Linchen and Hede,
all to be washed, dressed, mended for
and taught. But Greta loves children.
and then there is Mr.. Max.
Mr.. Max is Frau Merz's brother, big
yellow haired giant, broad shouldered
and kind, who frowns on the children
when their spirits grow too high, threat
ems to lock them up in his big press and
call ogres to eat them; who is never too
busy to set an easy chair for Greta, pass
her the knitting that Is always ut hand,
and smooth oil the rough places. till after
a while it becomes second nature for
Greta to turn to Mr.. Max when she wants
anything, and again when she gets it.
Frau Merz smiles but says nothing
Greta is dear, love worthy girl, and will
make Max good wife. 1t had been O
cause for dread that he might love some
different girl, who would take him away
and break up the sweet home life. Greta
is already one of them. and when Max
returns from America there will be q
quiet wedding, the young people will
settle down near them and all will go on
as before.
So it is with pleased, satisfied smilo
that Frau Merz greets her brother as he
runs up her steps the day before he sails,
intent on securing his bride. He tells
her she has drawn n pretty picture, but
one not easy to paint. Tho little Greta
may refuse him.
Refuse him! refuse Mr.. Max! Then tho
ungrateful little coquette shall go about
her business and the dear children grow
uL ounces! AS if such husbands grew
on every bush for little governess to
pick-and, much more, till the swallows
fly from the windows in terror.
They fly back the next morning to help
say good-by to the traveller and see Frau
Merz with her arm round Greta's waist
Greta, who is trying to look unhappy,
like well regulated maiden parting
from her betrothed. Yes, her betrothed,
for there had been half hour in the
schoolroom last night, at tho end of
which Greta found Max's ring on her
finger and his kiss on her lips.
And now Frau Merz is promising to
keep the little bride safely till he can re-
turn and claim her, and all the while
Greta is perfectly sure she does not love
Mr.. Max half as much as he does her and
that she will chiefly miss him when tho
children are unmanageable.
Frau Merz is very fearful for many
days after Max's departure, and often
I,
late herself that she does not love Max.
Why, she would be worn thin il she laid
awake worrying over every wind that
blew, and wondering If tho ship had not
met an iceberg and been wrecked. She
never lost nights sleep-not she. It
will be time enough to think about Max
when she marries him, as of course she
intends to do, lsit for the present, she is
not in lovo with him, and she is glad
of it,
And now he is coming home, and the
bride il thinking little Of her husband,
and much of her pretty clothes, and
house linen. Frau Merz has been more
than kind; but the generous gifts have
been given with wonder that SO much
is said Of "my house." and so little Of
my husband" and Just when the
thought has made her thoroughly I'M
comfortable, and disposed to be short
with Greta, comes word that the vessel
has gone down in sight Of land, with all
on boar,l.
No. r.t il not the little widowed bride
whose s,6s arc 50 beartrending. It Is
Frau -, ~. and she is crying her heart
cut o, Grcia's shoulder; she Is telling
every o.c what dear brother he was.
ayes. and you" she says, "have not
shell tear! you did not love him, my
poor dead brother!"
"No. 10 not love him." says Greta,
and goes quietly from the room. Quietly
from the room, and quietly into her own,
quietly closes the door, looks around,
sits quietly down in her arm chair. Max
gave her the chair; shc must often bo
tired after teaching His thoughtfulness
was always first for her. In her own
home she will have the right to be first.
Their own home Dear heaven! there
will be no home - She sees Max the
day he sailed: she hears him say Good
by, little wiic. when come again will
take you for my own. and we viii never
90 separated AGAIN - Liic WITH Max,
his strong arm between her and every
trial! Life alone. 20 battle for herself
against ihe world. Max's tender admira.
ton uf ,.ll her hands have ,ionc--a stran-
gers. not Max's kisses.
If Frau Merz could sec Greta now.
She Ia face down on the little white bed
and her sobs are choking. There is no
use li,i fny more; she ruust be alone
II l.. Clio u.null LlNo Lcen 90