Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-01-25
Continued.

ettpS DeHiHu HtI, WOlHdu otSpS anu
the pattering steps of a child, and
those of her uncle
Then the silken train rustled by, and
the shrill voice of her mother-in-law
cried: ALLOW me. Herr General, /,
TOO, have word to say to the-lady.' -
Il am sorry, madam, but | must in
sist upon your saying nothing, for
every ones sake. If this lady is an
impostor, ii would be beneath your
dignity; If she is not, 1t would certain
ly be useless. Do you understand?
Lora had now come out of her hiding
place.
Uncle" she cried, hurrying up to
him, take me to mamma, | beg of
YOU"
Certainly, my love. | can under
stand that you are longing for your
mother; GOMEZ"
The young wife went into her bed
ROOM and soon came back with a lace
hood over her hair, and wrapped up In
her old cloak which she had lately
brought home secretly. She had her
prayer-book in her hand and her
fathers photograph in simple frame.
At the sight of her Frau Bech,r
broke out into sudden, hysterical sobs.
"Lora,' she said, you cannot go"
Yes, can" she replied breathing
quickly Il am going-and ! will never
come back-neverl"
You cannot be sure of that, my
love-" said the general.
Yes" returned Lora, who fairly
seemed to grow, she drew herself up
so proudly. Yes, can For even
II she Is not mis- wife according to law,
she is so in my eyes; and If anything
could add to the contempt | already
feel for him, 1t would be the sight Of
this child whom he has deserted.
Never, never will set my foot across
this threshold again--never!"
oh, 1t will ali come out right" sob
bed Frau Becher.
Never" repeated Lora, and she
gathered up the train of her mourning
dress. as IL even the garments that
she wore should not be allowed to
touch the floor of the house she was
leaving.
Pardon, madam; she is frightfully
agitated, naturally" said the general
in excuse. Il shall be back again, di
rectly.
He hurried after Lora. who was
waiting for him at the hall door.
Come, child he said gently, ner>ng
her his arm.
She chung closely to him, but she did
not speak again. IL had grown dark
outside, the wind had gone down, and
the bells sounded deep and solemn
from the towers of the city. II was
Christmas Eve.
Lora's heart suddenly warmed and
softened, and Something came pack to
her Of the faith of her childhood: che
certainty that there is a God of com
passion and of love.
She dropped her uncle's arm. Il
am going TO church." she whispered
And he nodded
Il viii so on and prepare your
mother, and then go back to Frau
Becher."
She walked slowly on through the
crowded street Church-goers came
from nearly every house, and took the
same way that she was going, drawn
by the sound of the bells. On the high
altar two Christmas trees We're blaz.
ing with light. Tears came into her
eyes, and solemn feeling came over
her, Just in front of her, half hidden
behind great pillar, sat the stranger
Her worn, delicate face was turned
toward the blazing trees, She held
the child's little hand between her
own. and listened to the old Christmas
hymn:
Il bring good tidings of Savior's
birth,
To YOU and all the nations upon
earth"
Lora went into the same pew, sat
down beside the child, and bent her
head in prayer, The eyes of her
neighbor opened wide as she looked at
her face, down which one clear drop
after the other slowly ran.
For the child's sake, forgive me
for disturbing your peace" said the
stranger TO her, in a whisper, after
the sermon was over.
Il forgive you? All, you must for
give me. But believe me. am guilt
less of blame" replied Lora. Her
hand rested for a moment in that of
the stranger, and her eyes looked
searchingly at her face. No; it was
not that of an impostor.
When the service was over, she
went through the crowd with lofty
air: she looked neither 20 the right
nor the left, she looked only into the
future, where she saw freedom before
her.
Doctor Schonberg was standing at
the church door. His eyes were fixed
on his mother. who. with Katie Won
Tollen beside her, came slowly on with
the crowd. Then he happened to look