New-York tribune., 1906-06-17
THE WAXING OF BRUNHILD
from mp4g6
Continued from page s


she would have noticed no change, for the
twilight was gone now from the windows, and
the fire had sunken 70 few red Goals IN the
CRATE.
After little, the calm sweet voice went on
She was nearly FIVE years old when we came
TO America. II was a very happy voyage
Everybody on the steamer noticed her for her
beauty and her pretty ways and her blrd-hke
little voice. | remember one man in partIc-
ular who could hardly take his ewes from her
face, and who used to say there would be a
fortune in her voice He tried his best 20 coax
her TO make friends with him He Wore a
huge seal ring that fascinated her; but he
spoke German with a peculiar accent that must
have frightened her, for she would not have
much TO do with him But that has nothing
to do with the story am telling you. II was
unlike her-usually she was all conhding
friendlIness.
pened-the thing that did happen. We could
never quite understand. The steamer was
late in reaching New York, and IT was dusk
when we got TO the landing We were Just
going ashore. when ! remembered something
| had left behind IN the cabin, and went back
to get it. I was gone so long that Emil fol-
lowed me 70 help IN my search, leaving the
child IN a safe nook on the deck and charging
her not 70 stir till returned
| suppose 1t was the STIR and excitement
of 1t all that made her forget what he had said
Perhaps she saw some OF the people who had
made pet OF her. going ashore, and tried %
follow
She must have tried 70 slip across TO the wharf,
and IN the excitement and confusion been
pushed into the water without anyone seeing
her or hearing her CIV out. 1t seemed impos-
sible-too cruel for belief and We would not
believe II, bur hunted trantICallv, eVeTVW here
Then somebody saw dark object floating on
the water IL was her little straw hat. And
when they turned sea-Ch-hghts on the water
there little wav of, was the old rubber dolly
she had had in her arms when we left her We
her hc " uy1rf I1y-
comforted Emil a little If we had. II IS many
Years since then.
That is the story, my dear; and perhaps
If Herr Reinhardt last night vas
The door between the parlOr and the music
room adjoining was flung open, nterrupting
her. and Ned and the professor came III. arm
IN arm, laughing and chatting
Why, You're all dark here The boy
paused by the door 70 press a button. and the
room was flooded with light.
And then strange thing happened IN The
Childless mother brain The image ot her
child. recalled So wildly by the story She had
been relating that II had seemed % hover be-
fore her. half a reality N the dull glow 1t The
dying fire, had not vanished as such visions
are wont 10 do, but seemed % grow clear.
strong, definite, 70 become embodied before
her. flesh and blood again, IN the form 10 The
girl she now saw clearly for the rrs- time
the shop-girl in the shabby dress, virh the
heavy braids OF beautiful hair
What IS it, Ned." asked the profess r.
pathetICaIIy CONSCIOUS OF some tension the
cause of which his blind eyes could not see.
Is there somebody here
The girl who sat next Us last night
The professor started across the room.
stretching out his hand vaguely, not knowing
where his visitor was seated.
Instantly his wife was by his side, restrain
ing hand on his arm Wait. Emil. Want
dearest, She's speaking to Us ,"
But IL was not 70 them She was speaking
Her thoughts were forming themselves unc1r-
SciouSly into words. She was gropIng-grop-
Ing-through a mist.
L told him-told-hin-I had not-leave
to 60. He said-he told me-I might have
the ring. He said-he said-we would g fud
my father. My arm hurt, he pulled II So. He
Said-Said-he would throw me IN the water
If l cried. He-threw-my hat in, 70 show
me. and -Gretchen-DOllv-"
Emil Reinhardt'S wife could hold him back
no longer. He was bending over the girls
chair, pale parchment. shaking like a Leaf
IN November winds. his blind ewes wide. bloo,f
shot, staring Who are you?" he whispered
hOarSelv. Who are you,"
She looked up at him, smiling dreamily
slow. uncertain smile Her voice was sweet
and falterIng as she answered. like the Voice Of
a child who Is not vet sure of speech. 'Ich-