The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-01-24

DAYS came ana went and so did the
little Norwegian, but nothing was said OF
an approaching marriage. Parcels pour
ed in upon us, and Eta sewed steadily
on. Each afternoon Auguste 1--WE learned
his Nance appeared. apparently propelled
| by the regular motion of his cane. Some
/ how he always appeared like a piece OF
I machinery, for his appearance never
I changed-always the snuff colored suit,
4 the little hat and the buttonhole bouquet.
And he seemed to 90 and come mechan-
ically, cnyeloped in cloud of smoke
pulled from the big cigar
Eta owned one thing strangely out of
keeping with her other possessions. 1t
/ was large gold watch attached to an
old fashioned chain from which dangled
two or three odd foreign looking charms
of fine workmanship. She was very fond
of it. as it had belonged to her mother,
and wore it always. till at last it seemed
almost part of herself Seeing her
without it one day | exclaimed immedi-
ately, as | thought she must have lost it.
She waited moment before replying
and then said slowly, II hat lend it to
my cousin.
She then told me that Auguste was
barber by trade and had come to America
with money she had sent him for the
trip.
After the disappearance of the watch
Auguste came less frequently and as
time went on seldom appeared oftener
than once week. There was no more
sewing, and Eta began to look more as
of old. Little by little the happy light
faded from her face and the gray eyes
L.,
before.
y time came when weeks passed with
ont sign of the little Norwegian, but
one day letter arrived for Eta in the
same crooked writing. Some time later
in the day, going into the kitchen, |
fould Eta leaning on the table. the let
ter crumplcd in her clnched hands and
her face buried in her arms.
touched her gently on the shoulder,
but got no other response than the low,
stined sobs which shook the poor, thin
body from head to foot. At last she
raised her sorrow stricken face and lift
ing her eyes to mine, said slowly, with
her lisping accent: 81 have to go way.
| hat sorrow, great sorrow"
She would tell but little of her story.
She was to have married her cousin in a
few weeks time, but he had tired of her.
and that day letter had come from
him, first begging her 10 forgive him and
then telling her that he had sold her
treasured watch and 10y the time she got
that letter would have sailed on vessel
bound for Norway.
''Shall you, too, 20 home?" l said.
Slowly and sadly came the answer,
"No'' and felt that with the utterance
of that little word she gave up all hope
and renowned forever all thought of the
happiness She had been picturing for
herself the last few months as she sat
sewing steadily. only pausing now and
then, with a little flush in her pale checks,
to softly steal hand into her pocket
and touch the letters she always carried
there.
Next morning Eta could not be found
In corner of her room stood little
hair trunk labeled with a Norwegian adj
dress and filled with the garments so
recently finished. 1t was corded up and
sent TO Chr>tiania. 1t ma, have reached
its destination or it may not. Its fate
is as uncertain as Etta's own. The poor
woman, tired, disappointed and hopeless
had vanished that night, taking with her
little else than her sad, sad thoughts.
| often picture her with her STOPPING
shoulders and pallid, tear stained face
every yestige Of love and hope gone out,
wandering away into the night and gaz-
ing up at the stars, SO serene and far
away as she murmurs, "Forsaken, for
sakcn,"