Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-08
MARIA THE STRANGER.

l1CGl6 island. Inerc was, 1nuceu, great cause for mourning. Besides serious damage to valuable possessions, besides injury to the dilIes and sea-mcadows, which could be repaired only by great sacrifice. the islanders had looked their last upon the simple coffin in which brave Peter Eilt was carried forth upon his last journey across the marshes to tho mainland, where, in consccrated ground, he was to have his last resting place. Then, too, they sought in vain for two brave herdsmen; they had been swept away by the raging flood.
 The Fricslanders arc not heroic in word; to those that wage constant war fare with the sea, speech is an effort. There was less said than usual for time, but all the more jealous was the labor. The dilles were repaired, and those whose boats were spared on that terrible nigk& hastened to repair them that they might take advantage of the catch to earn what they could. All hands bestirred themselves to retrieve their losses. Hans Freril took no rest. He hauled up his fishing smack to make it again seaworthy and hammered and worked upon it as increasingly as if he hoped thus to rid himself of some rest less torment. Physical eXertiCn was the escape valve for mental distress "aused by thoughts of Marya. One would not have suspected such inward tumult from his quiet, almost StOlid countenancc. Hans had been able to overcome many troublesome difficult ty, and this passion he would conquer too. With every plank he put into his boat he took part of the scltshneSs out of his own heart-he would no longer wish for Marya for his own sallc-no, of course nOt--what one loves so dearly one must not trouble. With every clinlx the hammer drove into the seam he dispatched some foolish wish. He found that man lives best when he does not live according to his own selfish desires, but considers all that, in the course of nature, travel through life on his right and on his left. By the time the new mast was firmly wedged in its place, Hans had decided that he had been very rude on that memorable evening; how dare he clasp so abruptly such delicate form in his great, rough arms?
 A great trouble still weighed upon his heart
 To be sure, he no longer wished for Marya as his wifc-she might marry Karl if she thought she could live hap oily with him, only she must not die no-shc must not, must not die. Hans scanned the face of every passer-by in fear of reading therc the dreadful news of her death, but he asked no questions Of one thing only he had no thought, and that was Marya's guilt He no longer thought of the fact that to free herself from him she had committed a crime. Of course she was dclirious when she did 1.-the fever was already burning in her vcins-thc fever that now was driving her young life nearer and nearer deaths door. The authori- ties from Hamburg and Ritzcbuttel had visited the island to investigate the matter soon after the old mans death, and that was their decision. After re- ceiving Maryas sad confession and making temporary provision for main taining the lighthouse, they had re- turned to their homes, quite satisfied with that view of the case. Hans thought still less of his own bravery in rescuing the poor unfortunates from | the wrecked vessel, even though ms own boat had sprung leak. The ship | wrecked men had received shelter and l care in the old tower, and had later gone on to IIamburg--any brave sea- man would have done the same, Hans | thought.
 With the mild October days came a great joy to Hans-such joy as one hides in ones own heart and enjoys as | the light of the stars, and yet gives no sign. This joy little Marie brought to | him. The child had been very lonely | IT.. grandfather rode away over the gray marshes in that black carriage, never to return. Besides, the strange gentleman had ordered the stairway leading to the | lantern closely guarded, and never \ again could Marie sit in the dark gal lery and count the stars in the sea and
 the sky. Then Jan, good, stupid Jan,
 had been sent away, and her aunts and cousins only relieved each other in the constant watch kept by Marya's bed
 side, giving very little attention to the
 child. Running about quite unre-
 strained. it was not long before she
 found the place where busy Hans was
 at work. The two had always been
 friends, but now they became the most \ devoted companions. Hans watched
 anXiously every morning until the little ! one came running over the dilIc in her
 little wooden shoes, seated herself upon
 a log and began her eager prattlc.
 The boat was soon finished. One day
 Marie came, but not alone; it was Marya,
 at whose reluctant hand the child
 tuggcd in her impatience to reach her
 friend. Like a phantom, her figure was
 outlined against the sky, as she stood
 motionless for a moment upon the sum-
 init of the dike before descending it's
 grassy slope with slow and weary steps.
 Hans knew who was coming and nut
 tered: "Foolish heart, be quiet"
 Quite exhausted with her walk, Marya
 was obliged to sit down at once.
 "I congratulate you on your rccov-
 cry, Marya," said Hans. Ut is better
 for you to come out with Marie, and
 no longer nope in the house. It must
 have gone pretty hard with you-you
 are as white as q new sail Will you
 not have a bit of brcad?"
 He brought out his frugal lunch and
 urged her to share it with him, but she
 shook her head as sho brushed the dark IA