The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-27

bells ringing and shuddered at their
tones They were the funeral knell of
my FOOLS happiness Oh, how longed
for wingsl Perhaps could get there
yet and stop this horrible thing, and
then But, no; strength failed me. My
limbs were like lead, and only with
difficulty could drag myself along.
when l reached the church, was
too late. The bridal procession was just
coming out. I can see them now as if il
had happened only yesterday. Oh, that
thunderbolt had fallen from heaven
and transfixed them all But alb, mol
The sun up there shone brighter than
ever, the birds sang in the great linden
trees, and underneath them the village
musicians struck up lively waltz.
''It was as If everything had con.
spired together to mock me- could
bear it no longer. In a rage I picked
up stone from the road and dashed to-
ward Xavier. One shrek, then another
and then all was STILL
"You killed him?" said I, Mortified
"Killed him? A fortnight later
found myself imprisoned in fortress.
Today, by particular favor of the kaiser,
am again free--a ragged ant hunter.
And Xavier? Do you see, sir, that big
house over there? 1t is the finest in the
neighborhood. There my brother liver
with his wife and several children. Be.
hold the righteous reward which heaven
metes out Vengeance is his, our pas
tor would tell us. Can one be surprised
that have lost my faith?'
The ant hunter pressed his hat low
upon his forehead, gruffiy babe me
goodby, then struck into the path among
the bushes on our left which led over
stony hillside to an isolated farmhouse,
where he hoped, without doubt, to dis
pose of his curious wares.
Lost in thought, I picked my way
along the rough path to the village
whose church steeples ', re reflected in
every direction by the glowing rays of
the sun, which, in its setting, looked
like magnificent carbuncle.
Slowly and laboriously the dark shad-
ows climbed from the valley up the
mountain. But no sweet, refreshing
breeze announced the approach of even
ing. A sultry, oppressive heat hung
over the entire region, and black cloud,
like chariot drawn by invisible horses,
came up in the farthest west as the adj
vance guard Of menacing storm.
s. is one Of those pretty little villages
which these high mountains hide by the
hundred among their valleys. Its lar
gest building, next to the church, is its
tavern, which offers the friendliest of
ito1i ifca a. &C. ID
channels, the future ornament of the
Alps-as yet, alas a mythical creature!
AS entered the public room in my
comfortable negligee there upon the cen
ter table was already burning the pc
troleum lamp-an article now to be
found in every PEASANTS hut. By cor
ner table sat several peasants, with their
beer mugs before them. stepped past
them toward an open window and look
ed out.
1t had already grown very dark, and
the whole heavens, as far as the eye
could reach, were enveloped in black
dangerous looking Clouds Every now
and then there would be bright flash
on the farthest horizon where the noun
tain peaks kissed the clouds, and then
would come response In low, heavy
growls from unfathomablo abysses.
Scarcely 10 minutes later wild hur-
ricane was in full blast. Heavy drops
fell pattering upon the ground. Light
ming flashes came thick and fast, and
from the church tower pealed forth the
storm bell
The barroom door creaked on it
hinges, and man, bent and dripping
with rain, appeared within it. Without
a word he stepped in and retired
quickly to dark corner. It was the ant
hunter.
The landlady sat by the stove and
knit Only from time to time, as an es.
pecially binding flash would shoot
across the heavens, would she let her
work fall in her lap and make quickly
the sign Of the cross. She had indeed
noticed the new guest, but evidently
did not think him worthy of second
glance.
"a dram!' said the ant hunter rough.
ly. The landlady knit industriously on
"a draml" came moro violently from
the corner. That took effect. Slowly
the woman got up. More leisurely than
was necessary she went to the cupboard
and finally placed, with scant courtesy,
the desired liquor before her guest
The latter looked at her in curiously
hooking way.
AREN'T you glad to see me?" said
he. 81 have the same right to sit here
as the others. pay my bills.
At the table where the peasants sat
there had been a great connection ever
since the arrival Of the art hunter.
There was much putting of heads to-
gether, very animated whispering and
an industrious passing about of the
pitcher.
'Landladyp' finally cried the princi-
pal speaker of the company, broad
shouldered, thick set man, the pitcher
is empty. If you want to fill it again,
please to notice that we're not going tc
sit in the same room with a jailbird"
The ant hunter shrank at the tones OF
this voice.
sXavierp' he faltered.
The man SO designated caught thp
word, and with flushed face and nolC
ing his oaken stool in his hand took Il
few steps forward.
"Now," said he, trembling with OK
element, there is the doorl'
The ant hunter had risen. He seemed
strangely calm.
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