Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1894-09-01

somewhat threadbare vel let jacket
the white shirt underneath, loosely
fastened at the throat by black silk
handkerchief, all proc aimed the al,
tist; even without the testimony O.
the small neatly-fnished portfolio
strapped upon his knapsack.
When he had left Mansfield about
a quarter of an hour behind him, the
village bells began to ring for church
He stood still, leaning upon his stat
and listening intently. Long aftel
the sounds of the bells had ceased he
stood there.
His thoughts had flown back te
his home, TO his mother and sisters
whom he was leaving behind, and s
strange feeling of sadness came ovel
him. But with his natural light-heart
edness, he cast such thoughts aside
and, with smile, waved a greeting
in the direction of home; then con.
tinued cheerfully on his way.
The road was dusty, and the sur
hot, and after time he began tt
look about for pleasanter path
He found one at length, which pass.
ed by the ruins of an old stone
bridge and led into a valley shaded
by thick growth of alder bushes
AS he had no other object than en-
riching his portfolio. he decided tc
explore bit in this direction.
No sign posts appeared to enlight.
en- him as to his whereabouts. be
met no enc, and the silence was pro.
found. He did not wonder at this
knowing the habits of the peasant:
in that part Of the country.
Sunday is their day of rest in the
full sense of the word; half If the
day they sleep, AMI the other is spen,
in The tavern. The thought of .
cooling mug of beer, called up hy
these reflections, was very enticing
but as no tavern seemed likely to be
forthcoming in this wilderness, he
threw himselfdown BY the brookside
and took a long, deep draught OIL
the clear mountain water.
Much refreshed he picked up his
knapsack and continued to follow
the little path, wholly unconcerned
as to where it led him. After wan
derin9 an hour or two, stopping
now and then for sketch, he came
to sudden turn in the path, ard
saw, little distance before him, 8
young girl sitting on an old stone
the remains of some ancient shrine,
Ser ened by the alders, he ap.
preached, unseen by her, but he had
hardly emerged from their shelter
when she sprang up with cry Of
joy and flew toward him.
Arnold Gas cur young artist wai
called) stopped in surprise. The
girl. who wore a very singular but
peasant costume, was scarcely seven
teen years old, and extremely beauti
full. AS she ran toward him with
outstretched arms, Arnold saw that
she had mistaken him for some one
else; and, indeed, the moment she
saw his face she perceived her mistake
stopped short in dismay, turned
first red then white, and finally said
in great embarrassment:
"Oh, sir,d not take i'll; though,
"That it was ycur sweetheart
didn't you, my dear?' said the young
man, laughing gayly. "And now
you are vexed because it is another
man. Please don't be angry with
me because Pm am not the right
one"
Oh, how can you speak so?n falter-
ed the girl. Glow could be angryi
But if you only knew how l had
waited and longed tor his coming!'
Then he is not worth waiting for
any longer. If | had beea in his
place | would not have kept you
waiting a moment"
"How strangely you speak,; said
the girl. HE would certainly have
been here long ago if it had been
possible. Perhaps lie is ill-ol
dead!' she added, with as;eh.
has lie ltityou long without rews
of him?"
VERY, very long >
"Then he must live long way
from here?'
SIN Bischofs roda.'
"Bischofsroda!r cried Arnold. 81
have just spent four weeks there
and know every man, woman and
child in the village. What is bis
name2'
Heinrich, Heinrich yollgut," an
swered the girl, shyls, son OF The
schultz (chief magistrate)n
Him." remarked Arnold. i
know the schultz well, and his nam.
is Bauerling. | never heard til,
name of Vollgut."
st is not likely that you know al
the people in the village" said tn,
girl, quiet smile stealing over he
1