Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-06-07

marked, 1870"
An old woman over the way sat In her
doorway spinning. She looked up as the
slcdge stopped before 1.-THE Gasthaus, but
tho young woman in the green balcony
went on knitting and saw nothing
A buxom elderly hausfrau came out to
greet the guests. She wore a naturally
kind expression on her old face, but when
she saw who the gentleman was the kind
ness positive increased to kindness super
lative.
She first retired and called out:
Liza Fritz, Liza, Trudchen, come
quickly"
Then she came back and cried:
Herr Allitsen, what u surprised
She shook his hand times without num-
Der greeted Bcrnardinc with motherly
tenderness and interspersod all her re-
marks with frantic cries of Liza, Fritz,
Trudchcn, make haste!'
She became very hot and excited and
gesticulated violently
All this time tho young woman sat knit
ting, but not looking up. She had been
beautiful, but her face was worn now, and
her eyes had that vacant stare which be-
tokencd the vacant mind
The mother whispered to Robert Allit-
sen:
''Shc notices no one now. She sits there
always waiting"
Tears came into the kind old eyes.
Robert Allitscn went and bent down to
the young woman and held out his hand.
"Catharina, he said gently.
She looked up then and saw him and
recognized him.
Then the sad face smiled welcome.
He sat near her and took her knitting in
his hand, pretending to examine what she
had done, chatting to her quietly all the
time. He asked her what she had been do
ing with herself since he HAD last seen her,
and she said:
Waiting. I am always waiting"
He knew that she referred to her lover,
who had been lost in an avalanche the eve
before their wedding morning. That was
four years ago, but Catharina was still
waiting. Allitscn remembered her as a
bright young girl, singing in the Cast
haus, waiting cheerfully on the guests, II
bright, gracious presence. No one could
cook trout MS she could Many dish Of
trout had she served up for him. And now
She sat In the sunshine knitting and wait
ing, scarcely ever looking up. That was
her life
"Catharina," he said rs he gave her
back her knitting, do you remember how
you used to cook me the trout"
Another smile passed over her face. Yes,
sho remembered.
"Will you cook me some today"
Sho shook her head and returned to her
knitting.
Bernardinc watched the Disagrccablo
Man with amazemcnt. She could not have
believed that his manner could be SO ten
der and kindly. The old mother standing
near her whispered:
"11c was always so good to us all. We
love him, every one of us. When poor
Catharina was bctrothed five years ago, 1t
was to Herr Allitscn we first told tho good
news. He has IL wonderful way about him
just look ut him with Catharina now.
She has not noticed any one for months,
but she knows him, you soc"
At that moment the other members of
the household camo-Liza, Fritz and
Trudchcn-Liza n maiden of 10, of the
homcly Swiss type; Fritz, II handsome lad
of ii, and Trudchcn just free from school,
with her school satchcl swung on her back.
There was no shyncss in their greeting.
Tho Disagrccablc Man was evidently an
old and much loved friend and inspired
confidence, not awe. Trudchcn fumblcd
In his coat pocket and found what she OK
pcctcd To find thcrr-somo swcets-which
she Immediately began to cat, perfectly
contcnted and self satisfied. She smiled
and nodded at Robert Allitscn rs though
to reassurc him that the sweets We're not
Ind nd bof In il,
Liza will see to lunch, " said tho old
mother You shall have some mutton
outlets and some forcllcn. But before she
goes she has something to tell you
~ am betrothcd to Hans, " Liza said,
blushing.
Railways knew you were fond of Hans,
said tho Disagrceable Man. He is good
fellow Liza, and I'm glad you love him.
But haven't you just leased him!'
THAT was good for him." Liza said
brightly.
lis he hero today" Robert Allitsen ask
ed.
Liza nodded
"Thcn l shall take your photographs, -
he said
While they had been speaking Catharina
rose from her seat and passed into the
house. Her mother followed her and
watched her go into the kitchen.
II should like to cook the furcllcn, She
said very quietly.
1t was months since she had done any
thing in the house. The old mother S
heart beat with pleasure.
"Catharina, my best loved child!' she
whispered, and she gathered the poor, suf-
frrinp Snul nrnr tn nor
In about half an hour the DisagrccablC
Man and Bcrnardinc sat down to their
meal Robert Alltscn had ordered II bot
tie of sasSclla and he was just pouring II
out when Catharina brought in the forcl-
len
why, Catharina," he said, 'you don't
mean you've cooked thcmP Then they
will he goodl'
She smiled and seemed pleased and ther
went out of the room.
Then he told Bcrnnrline her history ant
spoke with such kindness and sympath,
that Bernardinc was again amazed at him
but she made no remark.
"Catharina was always sorry that wa
Ill" he said when / staid here, as
have done for weeks together, she used t.
take every caro- of me. And it was kind
| ~ sympathy which could not resent IL
those days was suffering moro than
havo done for u long time now and sh