The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-09

to go to the captains quarters. to hasten
TO the tavern garden. Nelly received me
at the gate ~
"and feared you might not be able TO come
again"
"Would IL have grieyed you much, little
Nellys" questioned.
~ could not have borne It'll" she an
swcred simply, and looked straight into
my eyes.
"My time is measured by minutes. Bid
me farewell and tell me that you will re-
member the German naval cadetr'
The dark lashes shroLiled her tender
eyes, and tear fell on ny hand. At sight
Of her grief lost my composuTc. Ii was
feigned at best, for had grown fond Of
the charming creature.
"Nellyr'
Slowly she lifted her lovely face Her
tear dimmed glance drove discretion to the
winds. Before / knew it my arms were
around her. 1 snatched her to my breast
and pressed kiss after kiss on her budding
mouth. She made no resistance, and laid
her softly clinging arms around my neck.
From afar could hear tie soft splash
of the breakwater against-thc cliffs. 1t
grew louder and stronger, and in its roar
drowned my ardent wOoing.
go back to your ship and to your
dutyv' it seemed to say.
With bound arose "Nelly, sweet
one, farowellr'
At tho gate my footsteps faltered.
turned back and again strained the pas
sionate girl to my heart.
"Nelly, be strongW
~ cannot! Stay with mc-stay"
Her burning kisses pleaded for her Her
slender arms held me in a wise.
My senses fled, only to return when i
heard the saber of the officer of the guard
rattling over the stones. He was on his
way back to the boat and must have seen
u.s. Nelly, too, had heard the ominous sig
nal.
Don't leave me-" she begged. Gro
main with mel"
Her voice implored more than her words
as the tender creature sank upon her
knees
tried i'm vain to imbue her with cour-
age, to make her understand the import of
my oath to the emperor's flag.
81 will BIC faithful to you until DEATH"
promised in the agony of the moment.
'Tin death" she repeated family, press
ing her hand to her heart. Once more 1
kissed her, onco more claspcd her in my
arms, then started away, and, just as
had done before, stopped at the gate to
look back once more. saw her lift gilt
tefrng object from the groucJ. There
was a swift motion, startl.u cry that
froze the marrow in my bones. Then 1
saw her fall to the ground.
stumbled back and bent over the pros
trate body Blood gushed from her breast.
7 ;.Kht han olIr
knife, such as sailors carry aboard ship.
g. knelt by the side of the dying woman.
"Forgiye me, beloved. l could not live
without youl" the cold lips faltered, grow
ing mute as they spoke.
"The knife" i shrieked, trying to wrest
from the rigid fingers the cruel weapon
A moment later would have plunged IL
into my own breast but for the interyen
ton of the officer of the guard.
He had clutched my arm and lifted me
from the ground.
Come he said as he led me rapidly
away. "She is past help"
Out in the harbor lay the ship. The flag
was hoistcd and blow with sharp snaps in
the stiff breeze.
"You must livc," said an inward voice.
"Your life belongs to that flag"
From the moment set foot aboard the
ship duty, with its iron fetters, claimed
every thought and nerve. Soon the night
shut out the retrcating outlines of Simons'
town and the little house where my love
lay dead.
At midnight was relieved from duty.
"Cadct Gerhard come down to my cabin
and let me dictate the logbook' S record to
you," said the officer of the guard.
When had entered, nc closed the cabin
door. "Slt down, young fellow" he said.
All the sternness had gone from his voice.
"At your age an experience like this is
hard to bear" he began as he turned his
face to the wall that 1 might not sec the
sadness in it. 81, too loved charming
girl. We were 10 be married on my return
from long voyage. When / arrived at
her home, she was dead. Since then 1
have devoted myself to this service. Sailors
have no business with love"
His eyes were dim as nc turned them
upon me.
$50 To. bed now, Cadet Gerhard,' he
added, "and try to regain your peace of
mind"
Many years have passed since the tragic
event recorded. l have become serious,
thoughtful man. No woman ever again
touched my heart.
On the wall of my cabin hangs n lifesize
portrait Of my first and only love. Nelly's
as she was when we loved each other and
from this famous artist made the paint
ing. 1t is my faithful companion on all
my journeys.--From the German.