Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-09-05
Continued.


then she strobe on hastily, as though
driven by the stream Of her thoughts,
without rejecting which path she was
following, or recognizing that it was
the same which she had followed
few days before, full Of anxiety and
tinidly at his side. The projecting
branches of the trees and bushes
struck her forehead. She forgot how
carefully he had bent them from her
when they threatened her face. The
bushes were still damaged, and torn
Leaves were still whiting upon the
ground where Fraulein Won Quittels.
dorf and Hollfeld had broken path
for themselves toward the two wander
ers in the solitude. This was the
place. too, where the half finished
greeting had been whispered. Eliza
beth passed it unheedingly, and It
was well for her she did. for her burn
ing eyes had no tears, and here was
the place where she would surely have
wished to cry her whole heart out.
At last she looked about her IN
amazement. She was standing before
the nuns tower. She was, perhaps,
the first human being to revisit the
scene of festivities since the last OF
the guests and the weary castle ser
wants had deserted it on that night.
1t looked neglected and disorderly
enough. The narrow level space had
not single upright grass-blade.
Everything had been trodden down
by the dancers, who had been no elftn
company. The two pines which had
supported the Vivandlere's tent lay
stretched upon the ground upon a
heap of broken bottles and remnants
of fireworks. and above these hung
the Withered and shrunken garlands
from tower to oak. A slight breeze
whispered through the dried blossoms,
which pressed close together, and
sWaying high in the air had persisted
in sight of superabundance of en-
joyment.
1t was growing slightly dusk already
below the oaks. though a golden Shin
mer still rested upon their crowns
and the gray floor of the tower-roof.
Slightly shuddering, Elizabeth sud
denly became aware of her complete
solitude in the heart of the death1y
silent. darkening forest. Yet a strong
feeling drew her toward the spot
where Herr Won Wade had taken
leave of her. She crossed the trodden
shaver lawn. and remained standing
as though rooted to the spot, for the
evening wind bore to her single dis
connected utterances of a human
voice. At first it sounded like dis
tant isolated calls for help, but gradu-
ally became connected and approach
rapidly. 1t was a piercing1y sharp,
screaming female voice, shrieking
rather than singing a sacred hymn.
Elizabeth could distinctly hear the
woman running forward as she sang.
Suddenly the melody was broken
off and a horrible laugh took its
place. or rather cry, forming a
scale of scOrn. triumph, and bitter
pain.
An evil forboding arose in Eliza
beth's mind. Her glance wandered
in alarm into the forest darkness in
the direction whence the noise came.
There was silence again for a moment
and then the voice began the song
anew, but now it advanced as though
upon the wings of the wind.
Elizabeth stepped into the open
door of the tower. for she did not
wish to get into the way of the wan.
derlng singer, who must evidently be
an uncanny person. But scarcely had
she crossed the threshold when the
laughter resounded again close beside
her.
Across the lawn from Elizabeth.
Bertha came plunging out of the
thicket with Wolf. the forester's fierce
dog, by her side.
Wolf. seize her." she cried
stretching out both hands to Eliza.
beth. The animal crossed the lawn
with a howl.
Elizabeth slammed the door and
bounded up the stairs. She won an
'SN' buI DSIuI6 she reached
the roof the door below had heen
opened. The painting dog plunged up
the stairs with the mad woman after
nm, urging him forward constantly.
The hunted Elizabeth reached the
last step GREATNESS, heard the PAINTING
OF the frantic animal almost upon her
and with one last effort closed the
oaken door which led to the roof
leaning against it with all her might
A moment later Bertha ratified the
latch, but the door did not yield. She
was raving, and hurled herself fran.
ucaIIy against it with all her strength
while Wolf, alternately bowling and
growing, scratched at the sill.
You amber witch out there"
screamed Bertha. 81 shall wrfng vonr
neck. I shall seize you by your yellow
hair and drag you through the woods
You stole his heart away from me
you moon-face, you virtuous doll, Won
hypocrite! Wolf seize her!"
The dog whined and hurled himself
against the door.
Tear her in pieces, Wolf, bury your
teeth in her pretty white fingers thar
have bewitched him with their music
that comes from the devil. Woe he
unto you' woe, woe! May you be
damned and damned e. -