Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-07-18
CHAPTER XXI.
'Auneliese.'

days | was prey to fever; | knew
but indistinctly that something dread
full had happened. / felt the OPP
preston of misfortune with all its
overwhelming weight, knew that l
had nothing left in the world and yet
could not have told what had oc-
Cured. | wanted TO think, wanted to
drive away the distorted visages
which bent over me, but l was as If
paralyzed. In the midst of it all /
heard mammals voice, then | tried to
rise from the bed and to hasten TO
lay there with open eyes, trying to
collect my thoughts. All, the bells
were ringing-when had | heard them
so solemnly tolling? When papa was
inferred.
Mamma" said l, sinking feebly
back.
Old Josephine, who was standing at
the window, turned, and in alright
looked at me with tear-swoilen eyes.
THE Countess is not at home, miss
do you want anything? Are you
thirsty?"
mo, | thank you. Can you see the
cemetery from here, Josephine?"
Yes, of course" said she, adding
with hesitation: but there is nothing
to see, miss.
Yes, there is, sephine-mamma
is being buried"
Dear miss, she sobbed, "do not
excite YOURSELF" And she hurriedly
closed the window, for now clearly
rang out the voices of the singing
choirsters,'
How peacefully they rest"
All, how could l grudge her this
rest beside papa-she was surely laid
by papa's side! | clasped my hands,
dreamy peace, feeling Of great
solemnity stole over me, the saving
sense of knowing chat ones nearest
and dearest is rescued from disgrace
and pain, safe from all misery.
1t was so calm, so peaceful here;
above the chest of drawers was
large OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES stand
ing upon the waves, extending His
hand to the sinking disciple; the old
fashioned clocn upon whose dial, on
the stroke of every hour, appeared a
figure, of which | had always secretly
entertained a horror, and which |
understood today for the first time
Death with his scythe, which he
swung as often as the clock struck.
"Of all, one is thine" was upon the
metal surface between the graceful
arabesques. Death no longer had any
horror for me; it seemed to me on this
day like the full, pure closing chord
of the bright perpleXing piece of
music which we call life, a chord, in
which all the discords die away so
tenderly, so OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
rest, eternal rest,
The Countess returned and ap-
preached my bed; she had brought
with her couple of ivy leaves The
tall, sombre form with it's long black
Grape veil and tear-stained face bent
over me. you are now mine, An
neliese! We will stay together; you
will see, we shall get on"
l silently kissed her hand.
5IS iSlI lhS W 10y uSliC hSl htlI anu
cloak, then she returned and seated
herself on my bed. Josephine
brought her a cup of hot coffee, which
she drank. She did not speak, she
looked keenly at me. "Aunt-Coun-
tess, am quite well, can remember
everything" said |, finally. Tell me
does mamma lie next papa?"
Eyes, darling; and we will put no
stone on her grave, Anneliese, we will
train the ivy branches from papa's
grave to hers, then people will know
that they belong together 1t shall
not run Here lies Helene Wolf
meyer"
| NODDED.
Cousin was not there, the old soul
IS probably not we'll Wollmeyer
wore the orders he received the day
before yesterday" she added, her
upper lip curling.
l felt the blood mount to my brain.
Aunt" | implored, Il cannot bear
that"
Surely, surely! We will not talk
of him any more-pardon, my poor
child! Weep, only weep"
To be continued.