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

talk; you Will lind them all the mer-
rier this evening""
"Thank heayens?n cried Arnold,
"there are at least some children
playing in the street. It began to
seem almost uncanny.'
sThere is my fathers house." said
Gertrud, softly.
"But / must not come upon him
SO unexpectedly, just at dinner
time"
"They are expecting us" said
Gertrud, quietly; land you need not
fear cold reception
"They are expecting us? Oh, you
mean yourself and Heinrich! Oh,
Gertrud, if you will only take me
to-day in his place, / will stay with
ycu and as long-until you send me
away yourself"
J He had spoken the last word al
most involuntarily, at the same time
gently pressing the hand that stillheld
his.
DO you really mean that?'
"Indeed do!"he cried completely
carried away by the girls beauty.
Gertrud made no reply, but seemed
to be bordering the words of her
companion. Finally she stopped be-
fore large house with stone steps
and an iron railing.
"This is where l live, sir" she
said, suddenly becoming shy again.
''Pray come in and see my father,
he will be proud to welcome you at
his table,
Before Arnold could make any Ie-
ply the schulze appeared in the
doorway and at the same moment a
friendly looking old woman nodded
to them from the window.
"How long you have been gone
Gertrud." said her father, "ard fie
fie! What a handsome young man
you have brought home with your
"My dear sir-"
"No explanations on the doorstep
| beg of you. Come in, the dump
pings are ready and will be getting
cold"
"But that is not Heinrich!n called
the old woman from the window
"havn't / always said he wouldn't
come backl'
"There, there, mother" said The
schulze, she may come yeti" and
holding out his hand to Arnold, be
continued: s.You are welcome tc
Germelshausen, young man, wLer
ever the child may have found you,
And now come in TO dinner; well
talk later. And without giving the
young man any further opportunity
for apologies he shook him heartily
By the hand and led him into the
house.
Besides the old woman, who had
now closed the window and drawn
her chair up to the table, there were
several rosy-oheeked children sitting
in the corner, and q robust peasant
woman, wearing like the others, ,
costume wholly unlike that of the
neighboring villages. was just open
ing the door for maid, who entered
with great platter OF dumplings. AL
fastened to their places eager to be.
gin, but nobody sat down, and the
children as its4eme1 to Arnold, cast
glances of terror at their father.
He stood sullen and silent behind
his chair, with eyes downcast and
knitted brow. Was he praying? Ar
mold observed that his lips were
tightly pressed together, while his
right hand hung clenched at his
side. There vas no sign of prayer
in that face, only obstinate yet ir-
resolute defiance. Gertrud went
softly to him and laid her hand on
his shoulder. while the old woman
opposite stood speechless, looking
at him with anxious and bescecbing
/ eyes.
"Let us eat" lie finally exclaimed,
harshly. "There is no help for it,
and, drawing up his chair and nod
ding to his guest, he seized the graet
soup ladle and went to work. There
was something almost uncanny in
the mans behavior, and Arnold could
not bnt feel uncomfortable in The
air of depression which hung over
his companions.
The schulze, however, was not the
man to spoil his dinner with troubled
thoughts. As lie raped on the table
the maid appeared again, bringing
TASKS and glasses, and with the tast,
of the old and costly wine, which b e
now offered, rev life and spirits
cane into tie company.
Through Arno.d's veins the noble
beverage streamed like liquid fire;
never had he tasted anything like it
| Gertrul .lso drank of it, and the ole
mother. who then seated herself al
her spinning wheel in the corner ,ant
in low voice saLg little song aboui
the gay life in GermeIshausen.
| The schulze was like another man
He was now as gay and cheerful a
he hal before been grave and silent
and even Arnold could not resist th,
influence of this exquisite wine. Be
fore he knew what had happened tb,