The record-union., 1896-03-14
greeting walli most did long for at that

Qdy clOIu6S seem TO look at ner from the
peg on her bedroom wall, where she had
hung them the night before, thinking
not to don them for nearly week. And
how the swift color surged over her face
as she glanced down from them to her
gay wedding garmentsi Quickly she
began to disrobe, and with feverish
haste she put on the home-spun kirtle
| and coarse kerohief, nor paused long
to draw deep breath till every article
removed had been folded and lain away
far out of sight in the depths of a huge
old clothes-press.
| Then, with a deep drawn sigh of re-
| lief at a painful task accomplished. she
turned her attention to Beppi and her
| baby. A plain but substantial meal,
water for bathing and few fresh gar
ments brought new life to the weary
mother. Walli even insisted on comb
| ing and replaiting the heavy dark
tTesses, neglected for many a day, and
then, though the woman would fain
have resisted, she made her lie down on
her bed, and soon had the satisfaction
OF seeing her fast asleep, with the child
| sleeping close beside her.
| All this labor of love had been boon
to Walli, and now she sought further
distraction in arranging the house to
| accommodate the newcomers That
done, she prepared the evening meal,
| and when all was in readiness she
| stepped to the door to watch for her
| fathers return. Old Johann, trudging
hcmeward at nightfall, his scythe
swung over his shoulder, caught sight
of his Walli running TO meet him, and
his face lighted up with a momentary
L l1r11 oil
| quickly gave place to a look of anxiety.
What! So soon returned? Surely
naught is amiss, Walli? Thy husband
is not ill?' For she had placed finger
upon her lips, saying, "dist, father!'
and glancing toward the house.
"Listen!" she said as she came
nearer "It is not husband I have
brought with me-but-a sister, And,
moreover, thou must give her a well
come-dost hear, father mine?" Then
she kissed him, hanging about his neck,
and disconnectedly between her sobs
| told him all the sad story.
Johann spoke not word of reproof
for the course Walli had taken.
Poor lambkin!'' he said simply, as
he pressed her close to his breast and
let her weep there "Thak God, Lieb-
from that black-hearted liar! And woe
to him should he trouble thee more!"
A few moments later he gave welcome
to the wanderer in these simple but
hearty words: 'Stay thou under this
roof so long as thou art content 1t IS
my dearest Wallis wish, therefore
mine. No, no, say naught of depend
encel There is work enough for us
all. Grow a bit stronger first, then we
will see who can the better make hay
Walli or thyselfl"
OF long years that followed little has
been chronicled. Nothing was heard
of Klaus. His gun hung unclaimed
high on the stube wall, and though at
times significant glance was bestowed
upon the neglected weapon, no word
was spoken either of it or it's missing
owner. There was a strong bond of
sympathy between the two women
which, as time went on, knit their
hearts and interests ever closer and
more firmly. Both toiled patiently for
the child, who rewarded their pains by
thriving wondrously, bidding fair to
become their trusty prop when good old
Johann should be gathered to his
fathers.
And at last that sad day arrived
Mourned by the three who had shared
his home and been blessed with his
gentle presence, Johann was laid to rest
in the peaceful gottesacker GODS acre..
1t was just after this sad office had
been performed that Hansel, now
tall lad of IA, hurrying home in ad-
vance of the others to attend to the
do
within the stube, the sight of which
called forth the lively exclamation.
What the devil, man, wilt thou here?''
The man thus addressed was standing
upon a chair with his arm stretched
towards the gun. He turned his head,
and leered at the boy, saying sharply,
Il take but my own
Down I say!" shouted Hansel. 1.-THE
gun must not be touchedi"
"Ah, indeed!' sneered the stranger
as his hand moved again towards the
weapon high above him.
eyes, surely" said Hansel. ''For since
have been able to understand, the one
thing forbidden by grandfather has
been that that be disturbed or even
talked about. / think that long ago it
must have done some evil deed"
"Ha hal The wisdom of the boyl
Thinkest thou so, forsooth? Then thou
dost mistake greatly, for not as yet has
my worthy old weapon performed the
special work for which it was made.
Do thou but kindly bring a bench or
table, and we will fetch it in short or
der. Once in my hand again, and I will
tell thee it's history, and perhaps / may
presently show thee to what end it was
shaped. Say, young man, when do the
womenfolk return?" and the man
laughed a bitter, devilish laugh which
rang long in the ears of the boy, nor
could he for the rest of his days forget
the look of demoniacal delight which
played over the face of the stranger.
Down. this Instant" cried Hansel,
cor I will make thee descend quicker
than will be pleasant"
WHO art thou, youngster, that would
command me?"
Rather who art thou that dost enter
the dwelling of another thus? Down,
say, thief!"
"Dost ask who I am? Ha, hal I
understand now! 1 am thy father
Look well at me, my son, And behold
also 1 take but my own, my long-lost
gum"
You are a liari" shouted Hansel,
starting forward angrily. But before he
had reached the man, the latter with
spring had succeeded in loosing the gun
from the nail, and, covered with cob
webs and dust, it's strap had slipped
over his arm.
AS Hansel seized the man and forced
him roughly to the floor, the weapon