Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-08

J look into my face and tell me why you now want for husband one whom you formerly could not bear in your sight"
 ''I do not ask that you shall be my husband, but must be your wife, an swered Marya, without turning her eyes.
 "Is it not all the same?" asked Hans. She shook her head. "Grandfather told me that last day, that you are the wisest man on the island, that you have else. If that is true, you must surely understand me now. Am 1, poor, mis- erable creature, really so strange that no one can understand me?" An expression of wise comprehension shone in Hans Frerik's face, but he only replied: "Can ship keep on its course without a rudder? Can under stand how you came to change your mind about me unless I can read the | thoughts that lie hidden in your brain? But no-you women have your reason | in your heart-that must account for it." Not this time," answered Marya; "1 wanted to be rid of you, and in an evil hour committed a crime. No one has said harsh word to me about it, but l
 
 peace until am your wife-that is, if you still want me after all that horror. I will be a true and faithful wife to you"
 She spoke more and more rapidly and looked up at him as anxiously as if she expected crushing thunderbolt | to fall with his refusal. Hans laid his broad shoulder against one of the hind ! Ar ha1 ho i boat upright, and, after considerable effort, the prop gave way and fell upon the sand. He loosened another and still | another. for the boat was finished and ready to be launched. The honest fel- low did this i'll order to gain time for much greater effort than the physical | one had been.
 "Spcak to me just one word" pleaded the young woman.
 ! Hans folded his hands behind him, with averted eyes fixed upon boat pushing out to sea. II know you should still be gently dealt with, Marya, but, although do not know how to say it, | it must be said. cannot accept your | offer"
 Marya did not cry out, but a dark | flush crept over her face. 70, Hans l FcFlk, cOuSlCleT LndJ was not III my right mind when put out the lights in | the lantern. O. my God, what Is to be- come of me. If it were not for my child. the sea would be the best resting place for me. might have known you would scorn and dcspise one who could | do such terrible dced." She groaned and tried to rise.
 | "Hush!" Hans cried, almost rudely, ''IIow do you know what I think of you now? But" he continued more | gently you do not know your own | mind, Marya. You want to marry me because you cannot endure me, and the heavier the burden you can take up the better you will like it. In this way you think you can atone for the wrong you have done. Tell me, is it l not SOP"
 As Marya merely nodded, he con- | tinued Your guilt is only imaginary. l Heaven had so confused your mind in | that dark hour that you did not know what you did. The storm, with all it's tcrrors, came without your help you did not cause the stroke that | killed your grandfather. So you think could take you for my wife when | know that you look upon marriage with mo as d punishment? No, Marya, you have often abused us fsh-hcads who arc true to the old customs. but we are not so cold-blooded that, out of love for | those customs, we would bring unhap- pinrss to a single soul. Pest assured that neither the living nor the dead shall ever know aught that has passed | between us this day; there is my hand it. Now you had better go back tc
 the house, for you might take cold ir
 this keen Wiud Come, Marie, I'll carry
 you homc.'
 | Marya hurried on in advance; ii
 seemed to her that the blue canopy o1
 heaven must crush down upon her
 The words she had just heard sanl
 deeper and deeper into her heart anc
 built there an altar upon which was
 placed an image that was very like tho
 grave, strong face of Hans Frcrik
 Don't hurry so." called voice from
 behind them, They stopped. and a:
 they turned saw three men-one O
 them Jan, who had just landed from ;
 ship and was now following Hans ant ! Marya.
 Well, how are things in Hamburg?'
 asked Hans.
 "Oh, wonderful!' exclaimed Jan. "A
 frightful thing has happened and 1
 fellow from this island is the chief on'
 in it.
 "Karl!' cried Marya.
 "Yes, Karl" assented Jan, and h.
 proceeded to recount the horrible story
 which was well spiced by the oaths anc
 imprccations of the other two men
 The young man had been at hls new
 post but a short time when he was dis
 charged for conduct unseemly in tht
 eyes of his highly-respected employers
 He then spent a few days of dissipation
 in the underground quarters of the sea
 port. In one of the most notorious O these resorts gambling in its yer!
 worst form was carried on, and Kar
 was a frequentcr of the place. He hao
 discovered his latest favorite cheating and had accused her of it. In replying
 to the charge the girl had used botl
 teeth and nails. A row had ensued, tn whole crowd taking sides against Karl This, together with other circumstance , of an unsavory nature, had shown hin in what q serious affair he had becom ! T1, ho hoI