The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-05-27
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No, there is way, but it will take me
from thee for time"
Tell me-" Hans urged, " for in any
case thou goest."
"Dost thou remember the American
who spoke well of my carvings last
summer" Berthold asked, diffidently.
Hans nodded, his eyes grew curious.
81 did not tell thee, but he urged
me to go with him to America, and
promised me steady work and good
pay. l would not listen then, for l
would not leave thee, but now -" he
hesitated. "If l should 90 and make
| for us home, wouldst thou follow"
ITO be with thee?" Hans voice
quivered with excitement.
"Surely"
The lads face grew psler. "To be
with thee l would go anywhere. 1t
would be Paradisep' he said sol
EMMY.
For moment they looked into each
others eyes, then Berthold drew long
breath of relief.
81 knew thou wouldst not fail me-"
he said, quietly. "Now, let us plan.'
The sun was dropping behind the
wooded hills when they walked slowly
homeward. Again the shadows danced
before them, but they were unheeded
now. Many things must be settled, for
the time was short; yet, in some re-
spects, the departure would be easy, for
Berthold had neither kith nor kin to
hold him in the village, and, when
Hans should follow, it would be bur-
den lifted from The shoulders of the
aunt who had opened her home to the
unfortunate one.
"What has come to Hans?" the
villagers questioned as in the ruddy
sunset they sat in their open doorways
resting from the toll of the day. Out
on the sweet night air floated the voice
of the hunchback's violin. So night
after night had he played until dark
ness shrouded the valley, but never be-
fore as now. The violin had a new
message tonight, one in which joy
and hope, sorrow and yearning, were
80 blended that none could name the
subtle feeling which yet stirred their
hearts. Only Berthold, kneeling by
the window of his attic room, with his
face buried in his arms-only BerthOld
knew.
One week passed, and on sultry
July evening, again the comrades
tramped along the white road winding
up to the dusky pines. They were very
silent, for the moment of parting was
at hand. Little did those who watched
them 90 dream that one would return
alone. Berthold's plans had been kept
profound secret, and only Hans knew
hot VIII ha I'm a1 of tho oHup nf Nh a
forest and looked back, he was bidding
farewell to the old life.
"Thou must not 60 further, Hans"
he said, quietly. Keep up a good
heart, for l will surely send for thee
soon or else return to thee"
The hunchback nodded. He bent
and brushed away the heavy boughs OF
a massive pine, and from beneath drew
out closely tied bundle.
Here are thy clothes and TOOLS" he
said. I" No one has found them" He
watched Berthold silently as he slune
the packet on stick. There was nc
further excuse for delay. Berthold
bent, and laying hand on either
shoulder, forced Hans to look at him.
elf thou wilt have it So" he said
gently, will stay and take the risk
Thou art dearer to me than any beside
1t shall be as thou sayest."
Hans looked steadily back at him
$50" he said, "and will follow
Auf WiedersehenW
He stood until Berthold reached the
|. turn in the forest road, and gaily waved
his hand, then shut his eyes tightly t.
: keep back the unmanly tears. Seatin.
himself, he waited patiently for nigh
) to come that his return alone nigh
. pass unnoticed.
With the first glow of dawn there
came the beat of hurrying hoofs in tn
village street. Somebody rode in haste
through the sleeping hamlet, shrill,
shouting his message. Hans started
up from troubled sleep, and STUN
bling across the stuffY room, thrust hi
. . head far out the window. The messen
= ger had passed on, he could hear hin
= Gathering up the stony road, but tn
message that he brought had no
: fallen to the ground. People wer
: gathering in dim groups below; h
could hear the hum of excited voices
y What did it mean?
y Hurrying into his clothes he crep
:, down the steep stairs and out into tn
: street. He shivered slightly, no
= merely with the chill of dawn, but wit
- sense of impending evil. "What i
. it?" he asked hoarsely, plucking at th
. sleeve of Casper, the cobbler, as h
4 passed.
u The old man glanced back over hi
y shoulder. Hal Is it thou, Hans