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


in peculiar tone: It's only my fool
ish nonsense, for what is there here
to reward a robber for his trouble?'
81 took this as a sign of cheerful
| ness; how could I know what mean
ing lay concealed behind the words ?
was an awkward fellow who could
understand nothing beyond plain
| speaking.
"And then,-truly I know not how
to tell of that dreadful day,-but
| must continue: His serene highness
| had invited some distinguished guests
| to a boar hunt and / was obliged to
place the hounds and traps, and to
| urge the men under me to be dcubly
diligent, because the highest ladies
of the court ould also honor the
hunt with their presence. During the
hunt l missed Prince Christian, who
had never failed to be present on
such an occasion before, but from
habit | arranged everything perfectly
| although my thoughts were with
Friederika for l thought l heard her
4
could not tell whether she was awake
or dreaming. A young boar was
caught in a trap, after he had killed
some dogs, and he was killed by a
| strange prince, after which the com
pany Immediately repaired to the
| hunting banquet at the castle OF
| Elchsburg
'But had been seized with sud
| den anxiety so that l cut across the
fir plantation, in order to reach home
more quickly. The branches struck
me in the, eyes,-I needed it not;
| breathing hard, at length stood still,
under the linden by the fountain. 4
strange. yellowtsh light lay on the
ola walls, and the autumn-tinted tops
of the trees, and when | saw every
thing so silent and peaceful before
me, l felt stealing over me peace
of mind which was almost gay. |
slipped through the little yard gate,
and climbing on the ivy which grew
about her window, about two feet
high, peeped in to see what she was
doing there all alone.
cat first I saw nothing for my
eyes were not yet grown accustomed
to the dim light within, but after d
while-Johann! How did I ever get
down from the window and reach the
little bench, where I afterwards
found myself!
MY WifC-and my friend! He was
on his knees before her as she rested
on the sofa and his hands clasped
hers, over which his head was bent;
no breath, no sound in the lonely
house disturbed them! He who had
right to do it, was supposed to be far
away in the forest. A wicked spirit
took possession of me, l took my rife
from my shoulder, and laid it on the
window sill, but the next instant,
threw it far away from me, and hid
my face in my hands, while the dark
est hour of my life rolled over my
head.
1T was late when l went to my
room and listened for her step
what | wanted her for was not quite
clear to myself; scorn and anger had
filed my heart, so that l could have
spurned her with my foot like dog
At last l heard her coming; the door
Of the room opened slowly and she
stood on the threshold, as gentle and
graceful as ever. Pale and weeping
she approached me and while she ell
deaVOred to stand, sank to the floor
Heinrich! Heinrich!' sounded in my
ear, and she raised her Clasped hands
to me. What else she said, I could
not understand; the words seemed to
die on her lips.
Then l spfang up, wild with anger,
and jerked her UP on her feet; with
a strong grip I seized her hand and
led her out Of the roOn, through the
hall, across the threshold of the
house. Helpless, she followed me,
only an almost dying lock spoke from
her eyes, like a deer wounded unto
death.
Il said net a word, but pointed to
the road; and she understood me. She
threw back her beautiful head, with
pride and defance-and stood still
before me, as if not she, but l was
guilty Her lips moved as if she want
ed to speak, then she turned with an
almost contemptuous gesture and
went out into the evening twilight.
After she had disappeared I slung my
rifle over my shoulder, and ran
hitner and thitheT IN the forest all
, the night long.
When I came home in the morn
, ing mist, I bad but one desire. that
she wouiG return, whether guilty or
innocent; l was too firmly bound by
the unhappy woman's letters. Joyce,
however, informed me in alarm, that
| my wife had not been home all night.
at which I laughed bitterly, saying:
She found shelter somewhere At
! the same moment a horseman rode
! up, and l recognized the steed of
! Prince Christian. I put away my gun,
| lest some accident might happen,
/ clenched my hands and gloomily
| looked at him as he approached.
HE put out his hand; his hair was
hanging disordered over his brow,
his clothes were untidy, and he look
ed pale and exhausted like one who
| had spent the night in fearful sorrow,
or had passed it in dissolute orgies.
| - II, -