The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-07-12

DafcOny. A fringe OF sausages hung from
the roof; red bedding was soorohing In the
sunshine; three oats wore summing them
selves on the steps; young woman sat in
the green balcony knitting. There were
some curious Inscriptions on the walls of
the chalet and the date was distinctly
marked, "187O.''
An old woman over the way sat in her
doorway spinning. She looked up as the
sledge stopped before the Gasthaus, but
the young woman In the green balcony
went on knitting and saw nothing.
A buxom elderly hausfrau came out to
greet the guests She wore a naturally
kind expression on her old face, but when
she saw who the gentleman was the kind
ness positive increased to kindness super
lative.
She first retired and called out:
Liza, Fritz, Liza, Trudchen, come
quickly!'
Then she came back and cried:
Herr Allitsen, what surprised
She shook his hand times without num-
Der, greeted Bernardine with motherly
tenderness and interspersed all her re-
marks with frantic cries of Liza, Fritz
Trudchen, make hastei''
She became very hot and excited and
gesticulated violently.
All this time the young woman sat knit
ting, but not looking up. She had been
beautiful, but her face was worn now, and
her eyes had that vacant stare which be-
tokcned the vacant mind.
The mother whispered to Robert Allit-
sen:
''She notices no one now. She sits there
always waiting"
Tears came into the kind old eyes.
A rop,t
the young woman and held out his hand
"Catharina," he said gently.
She looked up then and saw him and
recognized him.
Then the sad face smiled welcome
He sat near her and took her knitting in
his hand, pretending to examine what she
had done chatting to her quietly all the
time. He asked her what she had been do
ing with herself since he had last seen her
and she said
Waiting. am always waiting"
He knew that she referred to her lover
who had been lost in an avalanche the eve
before their wedding morning. That was
four years ago. but Catharina was still
waiting. Allitsen remembered her as a
bright young girl, singing in the Cast
haus, waiting cheerfully on the guests,
bright, graci IS presence. No one could
cook trout as she could. Many a dish OF
trout had she served up for him And now
she sat in the sunshine knitting and wait
Ing, scarcely ever looking up. That was
her life
"Catharina," he said as he gave her
back her knitting, do you remember how
you used to cook me the trout"
Another smile passed over her face. Yes,
she remembered.
b'Will Won coply ,,,a Gonna ko<1oDe,,
She shook her head and returned to her
knitting.
Bernardine watched the Disagreeable
Man with amazement. She could not have
believed that his manner could be so ten
der and kindly. The old mother standing
near her whispered:
He was always SO good to us all We
love him, every one of us. When poor
Catharina was betrothed five years ago, it
was to Herr Allitsen we first told the good
news. He has wonderful way about him
just look at him with Catharina now.
She has not noticed any one for months,
but she knows him, you see."
AT that moment the other members Of
the household came-Liza, Fritz and
Trudchen--Liza, maiden of 10, of the
homcly Swiss type; Fritz, a handsome lad
OF l 4, and Trudchen, just free from school,
with her school satchel swung on her back.
There was no shyncss in their greeting.
The Disagreeable Man was evidently an
old and much loved friend and inspired
confidence, not awe. Trudchen fumbled
in his coat pocket and found what she ex-
pected to find there-some swcets-which
she Immediately began to eat, perfectly
contented and self satisfied. She smiled
and nodded at Robert Allitsen as though
to reassure him that the sweets were not
bad and that she was enjoying them.
Liza will see to lunch, " said the old
mother. You shall have some mutton
outlets and some forellen. But before she
goes she has something to tell you.''
II am betrothed to Hans" Liza said,
blushing
II always knew you were fond of Hans"
said the Disagreeable Man. 'He is good
fellow, Liza, and I'm glad you love him
But haven't You just teased himr'
That was good for him. Liza said
brightly
''Is he here today" Robert Allitsen ask.
ed.
Liza nodded.
"Then shall take your photographs"
he said
While they had been speaking Catharina
rose from her seat and passed into the
house. Her mother followed her and
watched her go into the Kitchen
Il should like to cook the forellen," she
said very quietly.
1t was months since she had done any
thing in the house. The old mothers
heart beat with pleasure.
"Catharina my best loved child'' she
whispered, and she gathered the poor, suf-
fering soul near to her
In about half an hour the Disagreeable
Man and Bernardine sat down to their
meal. Robert Allitsen had ordered q bot
tie of sassella, and lie was just pouring it
out when Catharina iHought in the forel-
len.
''Why, Catharina, he said, you don't
moan you've cooked them? Then they
will be good!'
She smiled and seemed pleased and then
went out OF the room.
Then he told Bernardine her history and
spoke with such kindness and sympathy
that Bernardine was again amazed at him,
but she made no remark
"Catharina " as always sorry that was
n y ~