The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-07-09

sver seen you before" "But yet I
limp" she answered.
30 time passed. There came good and
bad years. Karen did her duty and was
, bleadng to every one. She was good,
pious, sensible woman, who helped her
neighbors, shared what she had with
the poor and went every Sunday, no
matter what the weather was, up to the
vissenbjerg church.
'That's household pleasing to the
Lord" declared the pastor, and 30
thought every one. Terkel continued to
pay his visits to the white stone; and
when he thought that no one was look.
ing he would wipe It off with great
care. But he was growing old; once
corpulent man, he had now become
thin; he was bowed over; and it was
with great difficulty that he could climb
up the stairs to his chamber.
One evening he came in looking very
happy. To-day they have finished hang
ing the new bell up in the church. Ev-
cry time that it swings now it will ring
out to God for me-" From the begin
ming of early spring he had to keep to
his bed. When the leaves began to turn
yellow and fall he whispered to himself.
"I've lain here and watched the swal-
lows out Of my windows whole sum-
mer through; last summer, I guess. F"
Karen nursed him and scarcely left his
bedside.
One evening as she came in with a
bowl of Cruel he lay gasping for breath
and could hardly speak SO that one
could understand him. THE white
stone out there will soon become black, "
he was mumbling. Karen bent down
over him; she spoke gently, but no one
could have heard what she said. At first
the old man shook his head; then he
shut his eyes and would not answer.
She made him fold his hands while sne
sung softly hymn of which he was
very fond Then suddenly she burst into
tears lifted his arms around her neck,
and whispered: MAY I? Say yes, oh,
say yesl'' 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. 81
said no, and it must be as I 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 hocks. Terkel
looked up Karen sat at the foot of the
bed, her hands folded over the hymn
book. Talk to me little" he whis-
pered "you sit there SO silent and never
say word" "You won't listen to
what l say Eyes will but you want
what can't be. How does it concern the
people what took place down there on
the Vissenbjerg road? must confess
my sins before the Lord will forgive
me you say, but I'll lose the respect
and esteem Of the whole parish. What
will people say when come out among
longer, should think. She didn't an
swer; the tears were trickling down hel
cheeks. "Are you angry?' he asked aft
er few moments. Talk to me;
can't bear that you should sit there ant
not speak she interrupted him
"Must it be SO? In our Lord Jesus
name, do what is right, what is bestr
A long time passed before he laid hi
fumbling hand on her head and said
1T shall be as you wish; it shall be SO. ,
She gave cry Of joy, ran out Of tn
room and directed that messenger b.
sent at once to the village for the pas
tor; she herself would follow with tn
wagon to fetch him.
It became evening, and it was lat
and dark before they returned. In tn
chamber there three great candles hat
been lit before Terkel's bed. He lay
twisting his thumbs, and talking t
himself, without regarding what wen
on about him. Once he opened his eyes
looked around and whispered: lie
some one be sent to the church, wan
the new bell rung-my bell Listen
now it's ringing, to God, for me-h
can hear it. can God-it's for me-fo
me alone-for bought It'll Will sh
come soon with the man?"
It was Just about bedtime when tn
dogs began to bark and the wagon rolle'
into the farmyard. Karen followed tn
pastor up into Terkel's chamber. Ebb
would accompany them, but she pushes
him gently back. What took place ther
in the sick mans room no human beiD
besides those three ever knew. The pee
pie outside heard voice which wa
slow and solemn, and one which wa
soft and pleading, and then they coul
distinguish whimpering and sobbin
sounds. Afterward it became still, an
it seemed as though there was no lif
in there-and indeed death was present
"How is he now?" questioned Ebbe
as Karen at length opened the door I
let the pastor out. Hes better no,
than he's been in long time, answere
the pastor, "for now he's dead, gone
sleep in Gods name. A great sinner lie
in there; but the one who has wishe
him we'll and watched and prayed an
delivered soul from the error of il
ways, that one is Karen, your goo
wife; blessed shall she be therefor
, the sight of God and menl''
The stone out by the farm gate la
, there for many year. Every spring, &