Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-08-05

and whispered: ''May 1? Say yes. oh,
saw yesr' He shook his head; but she
begged again, more earnestly than be-
fore she kneeled down by the bed, not
letting go his hand. "You shall not
speak about it again. % he gasped. II
said no, and it must be as said. -
She sat there discouraged, with bowed
head. Out of doors the wind was blow
ing the leaves from the trees and whirl-
ing them about in great focks. Terkel
looked up. Karen sat at the foot Of the
bed, her hands folded over the hymn
book. ''Talk to me ittle,'' he whis-
pered s'you sit,there so silent and never
say a word'' "You won't listen to
what I say.'' eyes I will but you want
what can't be- How does it concern the
people what took place down there on
the Vissenbjerg road? I must confess
nv sins before the Lord will forgive
me you say, but TIL lose the respect
and esteem CT the whole parish. What
will people say when come out among
them again? for can live little while
longer, 1 should Think She didn't an
swer; the tears were trickling down her
cheeks. "Are you angry?' he asked aft
er a few moments. ''Talk to me; I
can't bear that you should sit there and
not speak" but she interrupted him,
"Must it be SO? In our Lord Jesus
name, do what is right, what is best!'
A long time passed before he laid his
fumbling hand on her head and said:
''It shall be as you wish; it shall be SO. +"
She gave cry of joy, ran out of the
room and directed that a messenger be
sent at once to the village for the pas
tor; she herself would follow with the
wagon to fetch him.
It became evening, and it was late
and dark before they returned. In the
chamber there three great candles had
been Lit before Terkel's bed. He lay,
twisting his thumbs and talking to
himself, without regarding what went
on about him. Once he opened his eyes.
looked around and whispered: "Let
some one be sent to the church, want
the new bell rung-my bell. Listen!
now it's ringing, to- God, for me-he
can hear it, can God-it's for me-for
me alone-for bought it! Will she
come soon with the mani"
1t was just about bedtime when the
dogs began to bark and the wagon rolled
into the farnyard. Karen followed the
pastor up into Terkel's chamber. Ebbe
would accompany them, but she pushed
him gently back. What took place there
in the sick man S room no human being |
hasides those three eyer knew The neO- |
pie outside heard a voice which was
slow and solemn. and one which was
soft and pleading, and then they could
distinguish whimpering and sobbing |
sounds. Afterward it became still, and !
it seemed as though there was no life |
in there-and indeed death was present. |
"How is he now?" questioned Ebbe, |
as Karen at length opened the door to
let the pastor out. ''Re's better now |
than he's been in long time answered |
the pastor, "for now he's dead, gone to
sleep IN Gods name. A great sinner lies |
in there; but the one who has wished
him well and watched and prayed and |
delivered soul from the error Of its
ways, that one is Karen, your good |
wife; blessed shall she be therefor in |
the sight of God and menp'
The stone cut by the farm gate lay |
there for many year. Every spring, at
Whitsuntidc, they gave it coat Of
whitewash and took good care that it
was always white and free from spots. |
Translated From the Danish For Short |
Stories.