The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-07-18

have her till he had made an altar higher
than the church,
Suddenly something struck him sharply
on the back He started and turned
quickly, but it was only the little rose tree
that had ut last, by its own strength,
broken forth from the niche where Mailie's
hand had bound it, and in escaping had
struck him as If in greeting. There 1t
stood tall and straight, and he saw for the
first time how much higher it was than
the niche in which it grew. Quick as
lightning a thought shot through his
tired brain. A moment of reflection-a
cry of trumph--then he fell on his knees
in joyful thanksgiving. Lord God, thou
art great, oven in thy small things and
thy wonders never ceasoP' What was 1t
that the little tree had taught him2 What
was it that made him kiss its rough bark
In u wild transport Of joyP
Hans saw Mailie no more. Her father
had sent her to the convent at Marienau,
yet her prison walls were not so strong but
that a song, a greeting, from Hans some
times reached her. He, too, lived like a
hermit in his cell, working from early
dawn till the last faint streaks of light
tinged the western sky Curiosity ran
high, but every request to see his work re-
ceived the same answer: THAT was not in
cluded in the contract. They must wait "
AT last after two years of patient labor,
he declared the work done, and three days
later, on the Feast of the Assumption, the
new altar was to be dedicated. Great was
the excitement, and that morning an un-
usual crowd of worshipors climbed the
minister hill The doors were opened, the
! ctr oH In, co
wonder and admiration echoed through
the church. The altar lay in the full rays
of the morning sun, and the whole glori-
Gus vision stood out before their eyes in
perfect rounded forms In the center was
the blessed Mother with her arms crossed
over her bosom and head meekly bowed
to receive the crown that God the Father
| and God the Son held above her. a storm
of joy seemed sweeping through heaven
that stirred the locks and garments of the
celestial choir chanting "Alleluiah" Was
| 1t possible that this could be hard, UNI
| yielding wood? And the simple country
| folk, who had never before seen anything
SO beautiful, stood in childlike awe and
| silent wonder. When the service was
over, all pressed forward to see the master
| Of the great work. He came from behind
the altar, modest and deeply moved, but
| SO handsome and SO full of unconscious
| pride that every eye hung on him in adj
mratiOn. One by one the members of the
council shook him heartily by the hand,
all but Ruppacher, who leaned glowerine
against pillar. Mailie was with him
She had left the convent for this festival
and stood beside him, holy light in hel
sweet, pale slcc.
SIS not the Ruppacherin like the blessed
mother of Godf" whispered one in the
crowd.
And God the Father is like Kaiser
Max" said an old man. " 'Tis his face ex
actly.'
Like train of fire. it ran through thu
crowd that Liefrink had put Mailie Rup
pacher and Kaiser Max in his work.
YES dear friends, " said Hans quietly
you are right, and l have done it becaus
l know of nothing in the world more beau
tiful and good than the Ruppacherin an(
our dear dead kaiser"
well said He is right, " was heard OF
all sides. Now Hans went fearlessly t.
where Ruppacher stood.
Herr Ruppacher, " he said, 1.-TWO year
ago you promised me your daughter 70
my wife when l should have fulfilled
strange condition made by you. l was t.
build an altar higher than the church-al
impossible thing you thought-but lool
up, Master Ruppacher, the altar is foo
higher than the place in which it stands
have only bent the top"
The councillor looked up and grew pale
He had not thought of that a momen
of applause ran through the crowd.
Il have done my part, Herr Councillor
Now do yours and give me your daughte
for my wife.
Ruppacher tottered as if struck by
heavy blow Hans had taken him at hi
word, and he was not the man to trifle wit
his oath. He took Mailie's hand an
placed it in her lovers.
Three weeks later Hans and Mailie wer
betrothod before the altar. Briesach ha
never seen so magnificent an affair, an
Father Ruppacher was no longer SO test
us one might think for he had now nor
respect for the worthless art of his son ii
law.-Sh0rt Stories.