The Van Buren press., 1904-05-14
He grew male before her proud glanc,

NOW Sne Ttpedttu ucl quNo''NH'
"Will Fraulein come again tomorrow,
on Atonement day?'
NO" said the girl, quite loud, mo.
mol"
The woman shut the door, nonplussed.
As if she was pursued, llse ran down
the stairs. through rain and storm, on,
on. She saw only one thing-Herr VAL
entin, and that evening in the spring.
time of her life.
Then she carried her head high, oh,
so high. His wife? The idea was DELI
cious! Her father professor and he
clerk in the house Of Lee & Co!
1t was five years ago; five long years.
He never came back, she had never seen
him again.
At home. Ilse laid the wet portfolio on
the hearth TO dry, and with tired steps
entered her mothers room.
The old lady smiled when she beheld
her child
Ilse laid her head for a moment silent
ly in her mothers lap. Then:
Mother dear II must make con-
fession." And while the soft old hands
moved gently over the blond hair, Ilse
told Of that spring evening when she, in
her pride, had so deeply wounded her
young friend-told of her experience
that day, and of the request of his land
lady that she return on the Day OF
AtOnement toto earn money.
The widow sat silent awhile Then
she bent down and kissed her daughters
brow
Il will tell you something, child" she
said. "To us all comes some time great
hour Of atonement and self-humiliation.
You have burden on your soul in the
wrong which, in our days of prosperity,
you did good man.
Throw it OFF child; do penance! Go
tomorrow early where your duty calls
you.
Go simply and modestly as always,
as to a stranger Show him your pic
lures and take his order
When you return we will go to
church, and we shall both feel that the
wrong is atoned for"
llse wept. She seemed quite broken
down.
Il cannot, mother. Only think, if he
should recognize me, and in this way!"
He will not know you. Grief has
changed you, my dear 1t is five years.
And then your veil"
Ise stood up. Then she said, quickly:
II will go, mother"
And she went. The landlady showed
an astonished face when she found her
at the door
We'll, this is fine! Thought you were
offended at me-" she cried. Herr VAL
entin, the Fraulein with the pictures is
here she added knocking at the door.
lse stepped into the room and re-
mained standing at the entrance. She
trembled SO that she was obliged to hold
the portfolio with both hands.
The young man looked a moment at
the girl in mourning.
Then, as she remained so shy and
quiet, he placed a chair.
"If you will, be seated" he said.
Then she looked up Hans-her dear
old playmate! The same eyes, the same
dark curly hair! Only his FACET had
grown strangely serious and narrow.
He looked older, more manly.
Mechanically she opened her case, al
business at hand. He examined the
specimens carefully then nodded.
"Nery pretty; yes, very pretty, II
really isn't a simple photograph that
wish to have enlarged, Fraulein, only
head from a group. Can that be done?
VIII it be Just as good as this one?"
She nodded. Her throat was as II
paralyzed,
Astonished, he looked at her closely
veiled face, Why did she not speak?
He hunted about on his desk.
AT least It was very kind Of you 10
trouble to come here on holiday. am
very grateful to you.
"The fact is | should like to have tho
picture soon, Here It Is now.
Il hope II will be done we'll am
very particular about it" he hesitated.
became red, and held piece Of card
board on which was photograph OF a
picnic party when can | have it,
Fraulcin?"
llse trembled, Now she must speak.
"In eight days" she replied, softly
The man looked up surprised, This
voice reminded him Of something, some
thing dear. EXcitedly he passed his
fingers through his hair and busted him
self about his desk,
llse bowed her head and grew pale as
death. The people here In the picture
--mcrcIful heaven these young, sml-
ing faces In the midst Of trees and gay
banners where had she seen this be-
fore? Her lips trembed, everything be-
gan TO dance before her gaze and she
could see nothing more
Hans Nalenun pointed TO face,
pure, smiling, gIrlIsh face, above whito
dress-llsc IN the MaytIme of her lifel
Look, Frauein--this Is the one I
want enlar--" he began
He did not complete the sentence.
with a hoarso cry the young girl had
fallen against the desk
HorriAcd, he held her firmly and ro-
moved the veil from the apparently lIio-
less face Now he gave a cry,
"llse,"
She opened her eyes at his compass
FIonate call,
mo" she moancd mo, no, MOI"
He looked at the carowOrn face, saw
the eyes tired with weeping and UNDER
her struggle for daily bread and her
humility