Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-10-24
Continued

had quickly turned towards me- and
the pale young face with the starry
eyes, now surrounded by wealth Oh
golden tresses; the almost fairy-nke
IovIiness of he girl, &necte me- -
powerfully that words failed me.
Did you call me?" she asked
gently.
81 said wanted"-I stammered.
MY lofty speech was forgotten; 1t
suddenly seemed stupid and tame an
/ thought it would be better TO walt
until she. of her own will, turned TO
me. it would be rude to intrude upon
this girl, who looked grave and exper-
fenced, and was consequently much
above me, although l was older.
Does it disturb you to have me
with you?" I began at last
Il beg you will not think OF it," she
replied. and a dark flush rose TO her
cheek.
She hurrledly stopped to pick up
the comb which had fallen to the
floor. and began to gather up her lux
uriant tresses.
sit down." l said. you have such
heavy hair, it is hard for you to man
age it alone"
ooh, you are very kind, thank you;
but I always arrange it myself. Form
erly-" She stopped speaking declin-
ing my offer with a gesture.
Eyes, formerly?" / observed.
MY mother" the word was choked
by sob.
"Jascha," 1 asked gently, lis your
mother dead?"
Dead" she repeated vaguely;
Eyes, yes, she is dead" she blurted
out, and the hand which held the
comb made me a motion to be silent.
She hastily pushed her hair into a
net, and completed her toilet for the
night Good night!" sounded on my
ear, In a mufied voice, and in the
next moment she was on her knees
in the long white night dress, her
hand clasped, and her head bowed,
while she prayed.
1t seemed to me a long time before
! dared to move for fear Of disturbing
her; and only when she lay down, did
I seek my couch. Sleep had fed from
my eyes, everything was so different
here from what it had been upstairs,
and Jascha's presence was so depress-
ing.
When / Yentured to glance over to
her bed, she was lying with eyes clos
ed like a corpse, and during the next
hour In which l vanity sought to
sleep, she continued quite motion
less.
/ began to have various fancies in
the stiffness of the night, and they all
Centered around Jascha. The Oftener
/ glanced at her, the more unearthly
she looked. My heart began to beat
quickly; the air seemed sitting; [
counted the strokes of the clock in
the tower. Then | saw Jascha sudden
ly rise from her bed and cross the
room, and | could not move for ter
rOr. / remembered weird stories of
sleep walkers; a horror crept over
me, and my tongue seemed to cleave
to my mouth.
She opened a dawer and took out
a casket, from which she removed
something; then taking a seat by the
window, she bent over and seemed to
read something by the moonlight.
Now, sleep-walkers-thought do
not read, neither do they write, as
Jascha proceeded to do in a few mo-
ments; and | felt quite relieved. Il
distinctly heard the scratch of her
pen, and then a low sob; l saw how
she pressed her hand over her eyes,
and then wrote again. Thus passed
half an hour, then she tore up paper,
and at the noise quickly looked over
at me. Seeing I did not move, she
cautiously kept on tearing it up.
'Jascha," l called out suddenly,
what are you doing?"
She started, but gave no answer.
why are you not in bed?" con
tinued. Are you sick, orr"
She came towards me, the hits of
paper still in her hand. Excuse No
l am writing"
Yes, but how strange, in the
night" l went on pitilessly. I'VE GER
tainIy have time enough in the day."
She made no defense, but stood
quite still, the tears rolling down her
cheeks.
"Oh, Jascha, don't cry!" 7 begged
much affected. write just as much
as you want to"
She lifted her head proudly. I will
cry no more, Miss Mary; believe me,
am doing nothing wrong"
Il am sure of that" declared.
Thank you, Miss Mary!" she
sighed and then added: 1T is not my
secret" g.. ..,II
please, Jascha-you surely have
liberty to write in your diary"
oh, yes, Miss Mary, my diary.
Forgive me if I walked you; I will be
quite now"
I watched her fold the letter, ad-
dress it, and with it still in her hand
seek her bed. Then all was still, and
/ slept.
Somewhat later than usual the next
morning l awoke and, saw Jascha's
bed emptyOn the floor by my bed lay
a small scrap of paper. I carelessly
picked it up and glanced at what was
written there: "Jascha, my life, my
happiness, do not forsake me. Come