The herald., 1893-11-17

love, they built castles and formed splen-
did plans for the future. Now it was a
mahogany bureau which that day he had
examined in cabinetmaker's shop; then
again serious discussion of the proper
management and bringing up of children
One day bright idea came to Aunt Es.
+ "A ticket in the lottery" said she to
him that evening; like voice from the
sky 1t came to me. We must each bay
ticket in the lottery" and Karl impressed
by her words and manners did as she
bade him.
The eve of the great drawings the
couple passed in happy expectancy.
1.-TWO thousand guldenr said she, with
Ginning eyes. I'VE will pray this night
to the good God for 1000 gulden," and
Karl, as he kissed her, said he would
and promised in case either should have
drawn capital prize to dash up to her
door on the morrow in coach.
Long before the hour of the drawing
next day Aunt Es stood in anxious ex-
pectancy at her shop door. Every pass
ing wagon-happily but few went
through that narrow street-set her
heart to beating wildly. The. sound of
carriage wheels in the distance turned
her faint, and more than once she caught
at the Intel of the door for support.
The clock marked the hour of noon
when into the narrow street turned
fiacre, and oh, joy of joys, drew up be-
fore her humble little shop. Within sat
Karl. and with thousand visions of
happiness before her eyes Aunt Els darted
up the cellar steps and threw open the
carriage door.
1--WE have won, we have won," she
cried exultantly, my Karl, my be-
trothedr
He gazed upon her sadly, his face very
white and pain drawn.
"What hast thou" she asked trem-
blingly, reading suffering in his eyes.
"Naughtr said he. making an effort
to rise, "naught, my iebchen, save
broken Leg"
Tenderly she cared for him, yielding
him her chest and mattress, herself re-
posing in wooden chair.
In time he fully recovered and re-
turned to his business again.
Thus the years went on, one hope after
another departing. Still their courage
did not sink. Neither remarked their
whitened hairs, their strength fast di-
minishing
She was past 90 and he 10 years of
age. Aunt Es was ill, but she did not
mention it. She felt very feeble, but
overcame it that the business might not
suffer. Usually, too, she had little pain,
never complained and never thought to
consult physician.
One day, however, this feeling Of weak
ness 80 overcame her that she begged Of
Karl, who was on his way to fetch a
customer 25 cigars, not to leave her. She
talked much, and in spite Of her illness
laid plans for the future. In the long
years they had succeeded in saving quite
q sum of money. OF the 1900 gulden
there was Lacking only the half.
The night came down. 1t was mild
summer night, and Aunt Els declared
that she vas quite well.
"We are growing DID," she said pres
emily, "and have beeh thinking, Karl,
we may as well be welded now. In all
probability we will have no children, and
for us two we have quite enough"
Karl found that idea very pleasing.
Yes, yes" said he. taking her hand
within his. "why should we wait longer,
my liebchenf"
Aunt Es smiled.
Tomorrow. then." said she, closing
her eyes, tomorrow we will
She never finished the sentence. On
the morrow the old chest returned to its
original uses, while for Aunt Els was
prepared narrower bed in q neighbor-
ing churchyard.- Adapted From the
French.