The Somerset reporter., 1896-10-29

len back, else would pray-aye, to the
bad fond himself and promise to be
his, SO she would be mine. "
Scarce had the distracted youth utter
ed these words when sound of shrill
laughter nearly startled him. and, look
ing round, he saw figure which he
had no difficulty in recognizing by the
well known horns and cloven foot. Il
am here, y cried he in hoarse tones Eat
your service and ready to do your bid
ding, asking only small service in re-
! turn y
"What is that" Wllibald mustered
courage to say, though he trembled all
over
!" 1 have a piece of work fer you. l
will take you to a spot where lies bur
fed one of my subjects You must make
me an iron railing round this grave
and in reward l will give you your
bride. -
If you have nothing more to ask.
am content - replied the young man.
This is all, but it is harder task
than you imagine You have but one
hour to work. At Il you must begin
and the railing must be completed by
the time the clock strikes l. If it is
done, you are free if not, you belong
10 me forever.
Willbald pledged himself to the un.
! hallowed contract Nnd followed the
fend, who hobbledNn till he stood by
new made grave.
al. I.,t !
fire spring from the ground and caught
glimpse of several bars of iron and the
tools of his trade The clock struck -,
and, starting, he betook himself to
work. So diligently did he apply him
self that the work grew rapidly under
his hand A single screw only was
wanting when the clock was heard strik-
ing /, and Willjbald fell to the ground
insensible.
When his senses returned, it was
morning, the sun was shining brightly,
and he thought all that had passed IA
wild dream
Full of shame and repentance, Wilt
bald FASTENED Ia the church to pray for
the pardon of his dreadful sin. His
he could not go home to work that day,
and sadly he walked toward Dame Mar
tina : cottage.
Ellen came to meet him, as before,
and shed tears as she threw her arms
around his neck.
This timc, she said, they are tears
of JOY. When you left so suddenly yes
I l,p ~,
might weep rndiSturbed | sat there
long after dusk, when, as | leaned my
head ON the table yonder, a female fig
ure approached ne. She resembled my
dead mother and SAID: Weep not, my
child, but praS-pray for your lover
, He Is in very great danger. She vanish
ed before | could thank her but | re-
WONDERED her words and prayed for you
all night long.
The young man shuddered, but raised
his eyes upward i'll thankfulness.
EARLY this morning, continued the
damscl, came Herr Werner. | went
out to meet him and told him ! would
die rather than become his wife. He
was much vexed, but, without another
word, mounted his horse and rode away,
followed by his servant. My grandma
was angry, but my conscience told me
[ did right, and now that you return to
me i'll safety, Willibald, | am sure that
l have the blessing of heaven.
And the young smith felt the same
assurance, when, "a few days later, his
box of treasure was restored to him by
his masters daughter, who in fit of
jealousy, had stolen it from him. Dame
Martha could no longer withhold her
consent, but before Willibald dared to
claim Elton rs his bride he confessed
his great sin to the priest and submitted
to the penance enjoined upon him, and
this, of course saved him.
The lovers were married and lived
happily, remembering their past trou-
bles only as warming against discon-
tent and an act of submission to Proyi-
dence Exchange.