Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-04-09
Ske 9astor's Daughter
u. Fetmburg
Continued.

hdLQaIluG eyes udSuSO COO'
You will go with me, though she
cried. 4 have seen long enough how
you live here in the castle like pr1n-
cess, and yet you are nothing more
than the companion Of the noble young
lady. Now am not going to leave you
here any longer. Do you think don't
know that the whole castle is chock
full Of officers? and what q rubbishy
set they are, the very sparToWs on the
roof can tell you. Let them whisper
their batteries into the ears Of the
gracious baroness, it suits her very
well; but you-it will only turn your
head more that it is turned now.
Come, L
"This was too much for me; / got
angry, very angry, and ordered her 10
leave the house that instant.
L will write my father, added,
how you treat me. But now tell you
20 this instant, and if you don't want
to make me resolve never to enter
that house in the village again, hold
your tongue and spare your advice
"The old woman turned pale as
death while I spoke. All at once she
sank into a chair, put her apron over
her face, and heavy sobs shook her
whole frame.
" Katharine I said, regretting my
violence, don't cry, it was you who
drove me- to it. l am sure you only
mean well by me, but you cannot
Judge of the circumstances.
Gretchen, she 5Obbed, I think
about you day and night, and can
foresee everything that must happen.
l carried you in my arms when you
we're little and helpless, and 1 closed
your mothers eyes-grant me the only
favor | have ever asked of you, and
come to me while the officers say in
the castle.
She looked up, and her old eyes
looked tearfuIIy and imploringIy at
me.
See she continued, it would kill
me if you were unhappy. l was once
young, too, and l know how easy it is
to win a girls heart, but not one Of
them will marry you, child. Come with
me, Gretchen, spare yourself and me
much grief There is no one in the
whole world who cares so much for
you as the cross old Katharine Fol
low my advice, only for a short time,
only till
katharine, I cried, half touched,
half panied, i really thank you. You
mean well, l know, but you worry
yourself useIessIy. Who should fall in
love with me, and-nO, l cannot go
away from here, it would be absurd
now. You know, as soon as my father
comes back, l am coming for always,
but now | cannot. Be reasonable
Katharine l entreated, as she looked
rigidIy at me without stirring. Go
home, | will come soon
Good night. she said, and walked
past me without once looking at me.
4 have tried everything, now come
what
81 could hear no more. The heavy
Oaken door shut with a bang-sne was
gone.
81 took my clothes, which the old
woman had contrived to get out Of
our room, and went upstairs. The most
contradictory feelings ragged within
me; Katharine's rough interference
had cast a black shadow across my
sunny mood. had just been so happy,
and now all at once seemed to have
been plunged into the baldest prose.
myriads of stars were shining in the
sky above me. Oh, could not the AL
mighty God, in whose hands were all
these worlds, bestow a little bit of hap
piness on a poor lonely little girl like
me? But away with all dismal
thoughts; was still so young, and the
magic spell of a dawning love was up
on me. saw his dark eyes resting up
on me, and could have cried out for
very joy and happiness. I stood so for
a long time looking out into the silent
night-how long do not know.
Gretchen at length whispered
Hannahs voice, as she threw her
arms round my neck, you are dream
ing up here and Cousin Wilhelm is
dreaming downstairs. Why didn you
come down again?' And, without wait
ing for an answer, she added: How
delightful it will be tomorrow? You
haven't forgotten that we are going
to ride in the oak wood?'
50 No, Of course not, have not for
gotten it in the very least I repeated,
and I think it will be delightful And
We Chatted together for a long time
before sleep overlook us.
The mex morning-the gentlemen
were gone on parade went, straight
after breakfast, while still in my
morning dress, to see old Katharine.
I could not rest till l had said some
thing to comfort her. When l entered
the hall, she did not come to meet me
IS usual. I went into the kitchen
she was not there: then I went 10 the
parlor, and there I stopped in sur
prise. At the windows hung transpar-
ent white curtains; my mothers old
sewingtabIe stood at one window
with o vase of flowers on it, in the
other were few pots of bIossoming
plants; and on the table in front of the
sofa was a cOffee-tray, with little
white pot, and a cup with Margaret
printed on it in blue letters.
The tears came into my eyes. 1
pressed my hand against my throbbing
heart. Dear old Katharine, you have
done all this to make my fathers
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