Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-07-19

ttIl.
But Gertrud said that WAS long
story and the priest had written it all
down in blg book which he might read
If he understood Latin. "But, she
added warningly, "do not speak of it
before my father. Now we must hurry
home and get ready for the dance; we
don't want to be the last"
They walked quickly through the vii
lage, where they passed groups of
laughing young people already arrayed
in their best. The tavern was hung
with garlands and triumphal arch
had been erected before the door.
Arnold had finished his toilet when
Gertrud called him to accompany her
to the tavern. She was more charming
than ever in her simple yet rich cos
tune, and a strange, weird feeling
came over him as he drew her arm
within his own, and they walked to-
gether through the gathering twilight.
And tomorrow | must go" he
sighed softly to himself. Unintention-
ally his words reached the ear OF his
companion, and she turned toward him
with a smile.
DO not be troubled about that" she
said. I'VE shall be together-longer
perhaps than you wish"
Arnold wished to make some reply,
but they were at the tavern door and
burst of music from within drowned
his words. No one seemed in
clined to dispute Arnold's right
to dance with Gertrud as often as
he liked, and only one thing disturbed
him. AS the discordant tones of the
cracked bell sounded the first stroke of
the hour it was as if the touch of a
magician's wand had fallen upon the
dancers. The music ceased in the
middle of a measure, the crowd of joy
Gus dancers stood as if rooted to the
ground silent and motionless, and
counted each stroke of the bell with
mute lips. But when the last echo
died away, the life and fun broke forth
anew.
1t was the same at eight, at nine and
at ten o'clock, and when Arnold wished
to know the cause of such strange be-
havior, Gertrud laid her finger on her
| lips and looked so grave and sorrowful
that he would not for the world have
troubled her with further questioning.
AT ten o'clock there was pause in
the dancing and the orchestra led the
way into the supper-room, where all
went merrily. Wine flowed freely, and
Gertrud drank from the same glass.
The first stroke of eleven sounded, and
again the gay laughter of the rev.
pllnrG panco1. oroin thau Ectanal
breathlessly to the slow strokes of
the bell. A strange fear seized Arnold
he hardly knew why, and suddenly
came the thought of his mother at
home. Slowly he raised his glass and
emptied it as a greeting to the loved
one far away.
AT the eleventh stroke of the bell the
guests sprang from the table. The
dancing was to begin again, and all
fastened back to the hall.
ITO whom did you drink that last
glass?' asked Gertrud, as he led her
back to the hall. Arnold hesitat ed
with his reply. Would Gertrud, per-
haps, laugh at him if he told her ? But
| then he remembered how fervently she
had prayed that afternoon by her own
mothers grave. In low voice he
said:
''To my mother"
Gertrud said nothing and walked
| quietly up the stairs at his side But
she laughed no more, and before they
began to dance she asked him:
"ls your mother, then, so dear to
you?"
"Dearer than life itself"
"And is she as fond of you?"
Doesn't every mother love her
ehild?"
And if you never came back to her p
Poor mother, said Arnold, her
heart would break"
Come" was her only reply, and she
ted him on by the broad highway until
hey passed the outer walls of the vii
age. Then she turned to the left and
ascended low hill from which the
tights of the tavern could be plainly
seen. Here she stood still, gave Arnold
ler hand, and said earnestly:
Give your mother my hearts greet
ng. Farewell"
''Gertrud," cried Arnold, amazed
! hlll COIluStu, SOu Will nOJ StIlu Iue
from you like this in the middle of the
night. Have l offended you in any
way?'
mo, Arnold" said the girl, calling
him for the first time by his name; lit
is because-because l like you that
send You away"
But will not let you go back to tho
village in the dark" pleaded Arnold.
Child, you don't know how dear you
are to me; how in these few hours you
have taken possession of my heart.
| You do not know"
Say no more, interrupted Gertrud,
quickly. 1--WE will not say goodbye
now. Wait till the clock has struck
twelve; it will only be ten minutes,
and then come to the door of the tavern.
| Will wait for you there"
And meanwhile-"
Meanwhile stay here. Promise me
that you will step neither to the right
nor to the left till the last stroke of
twelve has sounded.