The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-29


Zach, yes; haf re understanding
of re English better Fan re talkP she
said, and, turning, explained the talk
in German to Frau Schmidt.
All this time Hugh had been watch
ing this quaint little German maid,
and at her last remark an amused
smile broke out over his pale young
face.
Mrs. Danvers saw it, and her eyes
grew brighter.
She looked thoughtfully at Katrin-
ka and murmured-
"She seems quaint perhaps-who
knows2"
After, she called Katrinka to her.
Katrinka came, and gazed admir-
ingly up at the lady's beautiful face.
Zach, but you are schon-lovelee,"
she exclaimed.
Mrs. Danvers smiled, and gently
stroked the fair head.
"What is your name, little one|
"Katrinka, but l lof 'Katti' the
better"
swell, then, l will call you 'Katti':
l want to talk to you, my dear" She
paused, and Katrinka, with expectant
blue eyes, waited.
Nearly year ago." Mrs. Danvers
went on. my little daughter died.
She and Hugh went into cottage
where there was scarlet fever, and
they both caught it. Dorothy died;
and Hugh-ah, my boy has never
been we'll"
The blue eyes we're full of tears
now.
Mrs. Danvers drew the little maid
closer.
"My DEAR" she said, Il tell you all
this for a reason. Hugh loved his
sister dearly-they were always to-
gether-he missed her terribly-alas,
we all do. but Hugh will have it that
her death was partly his fault-he
led the way into the cottage, and he
| is sad and miserable, Katti-nothing
interests him-he is weak still from
his illness, and he wants rousing,
amusing -ah, my little girl, my pretty
Dorothy, has gone; could not bear
it if Hugh left me tool could notp
There was a silence; then she said
in calmer voice
II tell you this my child, that you
may understand Hugh. l saw him
smile today-he so seldom smiles now
he, who used to be so mischievous,
so merry; but want you to talk to
him, to amuse him. Will you try?'
"Ah, yes-yes."
"Your quaint talk may interest
him. You are dear little girl. Good
night, Katti."
"Gute Nach!"
The next day Katrinka began her
work.
She saw Hugh sitting languidly in
a big chair propped up with cushions
in the shade.
She picked a bunch of flowers,
and shyly presented them to him.
He thanked her, and then there was
a silence.
MAY l call you Hugo9" she said
timidly.
"Yes, if you like"
Another pause.
"Sprechen Sic Deutsch?" asked
Katti, in desperation.
He turned and looked at her.
Then he laughed, and shook his
head. 81 don't understand" he said.
"Yetz haf you answered mine ques-
tionl"
He looked puzzled for moment.
Then you asked me if could speak
German?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Shall what you call it? Make
you to know re German?"
"Teach met"
"Ach, yes, teach: l will remember
re teach"
"You speak English very we'll"
he said.
She blushed rose-red.
II would lof to speak it better"
she exclaimed.
The boy looked at her, and there
was more hopeful look on his pale
face.
"Look here! you teach rne German
and I'll teach you English, only
you'll have the harder task he said,
almost eagerly.
Katrinka clapped her hands.
"Let us now" she cried, and car
ried away by her energy, Hugh
agreed. Later, Mrs. Danvers looked
out of a window over their heads,
and great sigh of relief burst
from her lips.
The two Young heads one dark