The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-27

y r tsshs ssSs.sa.s a,ssrtss. l tehslssp
y ~ tassH sHrdsn. Nelly fse4vsd "a
II have bean waiting all day, . she said,
land feared you mightnot DO able to come
again"
would it have grieyed you much, little
Nsllyr' Questioned.
II could not have borne iti" she an.
swerod 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 cadet"
The dark lsshes shrouded her tender
eyes, and a tear fell on my hand. At sight
Of her grief lost my composure. 1t was
feigned at best, for I had grown fond Of
the charming creature.
"Nellyp'
Slowly she lifted her lovely face. Her
tear dimmed glance drove discretion to the
winds. Before ] knew 1t my arms were
around her. 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.
Fromafsf I could hear the soft splash
of the breakwater against the cliffs. 1t
grew louder and stronger, and in It's roar
drowned my ardent wdoing. y
go back to your ship and to your
dutyp 1t seemed to say.
With bound arose. Nelly, sweet
one, farewellp' 80 .
At the gate my footsteps faltered. 1
turned back and again strained the pas
sionate girl to my heart. /
"Nelly, be strong!" /
IT cannot! Stay with me--stayl" !
Her burning kisses pleaded for her. Her
slender arms held me in wise.
My senses fed, only to return when
heard the saber Of the officer Of the guard
rafting over the stones. He was on his
way back to the boat and must have seen
us. Nelly, too, had heard the ominous sig
nal.
Don't leave me-" she begged. Gre
main with mel"
Her voice implored more than her words
as tho tender creature sank upon her
knees.
tried in vain to Undue her with cour-
Age, to, make her understand the import Of
my oath to the emperor's flag. ~.
II will be faithful to you until deathp
l promised in che agony Of the moment I.
9TH DEATH" she repeated family, press
ing her hand to her heart. Once more
kissed her, once more clasped 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
tering object from the ground. There
was a swift motion, startled cry that
froze the marrow In my bones. Then
saw her fall to the ground
/ stumbled back and bent over the pros
trate body. Blood gushed from her breast.
Her right hand clutched a short, sharp
knife, such as sailors carry aboard ship.
knelt by the side of the dying woman.
"Forgive me, beloved. l could not live
without your the cold lips faltered, grow
ing mute as they spoke.
1.-THE knifel' shrieked, trying to wrest
from the rigid fingers the cruel weapon.
A moment later would have plunged it
into my own breast but for the interven-
ton of the officer of the guard.
He had clutched my arm and lifted me
from the ground.
Come" he said as lie led me rapidly
away. "She is past help" ,t
Out In the harbor lay the ship. The flag
was hoisted and blew with sharp snaps in
the stiff breeze.
"You must i've" said an inward voice.
'Your life belongs to that flag"
From the moment set foot aboard the |
ship duty, with its iron letters, claimed
every thought and nerve. Soon the night
shut out the retreating outlines Of Simons-
town and the little house where my love
lay dead.
AT midnight was relieved from duty.
Cadet Gerhard, come down to my cabin
md let me dictate the logbook 3 record to
you, " said the officer Of the guard.
When had entered, he closed the cabin
door. SIT down, young fellow" he said.
All the strrnncss had gone from his voice.
AT your age an experience like this is
hard to bear" he began as he turned his
acc to the wall that might not see the I
'atlncss in it, 81, too, loved o charming
girl WcTcre to Inc married on my return
rom long voyage. When arrived ut
Ter ho;nc. she WIS dead. Since then l
lavctc. .gdlIysalf to this service. Sailors
nave 10 r:!siEtss with love"
HIS tyGa we're dim us he turned them
lrOn re.
go To rcd, now, Cadet Gerhard" he
ddcl. "ard try to regain your peace of
.:ind."
Mary years have passed since the tragic
vent recorded. l have become q serious,
thoughtful man. No woman ever again
ouchetl my heart
On the wall Of my cabin hangs lifesize
ortrait of my first and only love. Nelly's
arcnts have sent her photograph to me
s she was when we loved each other, and
rom this a famous artist made the paint
ns. 1t is my faithful companion on all
~ joTncys.-From the German.