Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-07-05

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 / reached the church, was
too late. The bridal procession was just
coming out. can see them now as If it
had happened only yesterday. Oh. that
8 thunderbolt had fallen from heaven
and transfxed them ALL But, ali, 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
1T was as if everything had con-
spired together to mock me- / could
bear it no longer. In q rage / picked
up stone from the road and dashed to-
ward Xavier. One shrek, then another
and then all was still. -
"You killed him?" said /, 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 lives
with his wife and several children. Be
hold the righteous reward which heaven
metes outl 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 bade 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, l picked my way
along the rough path to the village
whose church steeples were 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 ad-
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
hospitality. Upon its sign is blazoned a
chamois, the future ornament Of the
Alps-as yet, alas, a mythical creaturel
As entered the public room in my
comfortable negligee there upon the GEN.
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. I 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 unfathomable 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 its
hinges, and a man, bent and dripping
with rain, appeared within it. Without
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 fash 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 draml" said the ant hunter rough
ly. The landlady knit industriously on
"a dramp came more 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
mocking way.
AREN'T you glad to see me?" said
he. II have the same right to sit here
as the others / pay my bills.
At the table where the peasants sat
there had been great commotion ever
since the arrival of the ant 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 II you want to fill it again,
please to notice that we're not going to
sit in the same room with jailbird. I"
The ant hunter shrank at the tones Of
this voice.
''Xavierp' he faltered.
The man so designated caught the
word, and with flushed face and hold
ing his oaken stool in his hand took q
few steps forward
Now" said he. trembling with ex-
citement, 'there is the doorp'
The ant hunter had risen. He seemed
strangely calm.
Xavier, said he, you are making
yourself unnecessary trouble. Your
scorn no longer irritates me Once have
/ raised my hand against you in revenge,
but I ought not to have done it. Now
am waiting until the hour itself comes. 4"
A binding light flooded the whole
room. Then came fearful clap The
windows ratified With shrek, the
landlady sprang up. and all rushed to
the window.
'"That struckP' said the ant hunter
and sat quietly down again.
Outside deepest darkness reigned In
vain did we seek to pierce it. Suddenly
q column of fire mounted to heaven.
The whole village was as light as day.
40 God, my farm buildingsr" cried
Xavier, burying his face in his hands.
II believe the hour is here, said the
ant hunter and emptied his glass.
From the towers sounded again the
storm bell Grewsome were the shrill
tones as they rang through the darkness