Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-06-11


and l suddenly gained a little cour-
age. He must be convinced, when he
read my letter; it must all come out T,
right; and then the first sunbeam
that had shone into our room for a !
long time came out, and fell full and
golden On the bed OF the sleeping
Katharine; and when l looked UP in
to the Sky, a bit of the deepest blue
peeped out between the white clouds.
There was clear green simmer on
the trees and shrubs, and little rosy
checked Gottlieb Muller stood before
my window holding out gIeefuIly a
bunch OF snow drops, as many as his
little hands could hold.
I took them-the charming mess
engers Of spring, with their golden
tips on the white, bell-like blossoms;
they seemed to me like a happy omen
they announced the Weakening OF
nature out Of her winter cares-oh, if
they might only betoken a spring in
my heart!
The little fellow ran away, quite
happy, with a couple of apples, and I
wove the flowers into a wreath and
carried it to my mothers grave. I
sat for long time on the little mound
my arm wound round the simple
marble cross, while sent up a mute
prayer for my love, and, full Of secret
hope, I went back home.
Through all my occupations, I
thought continually of the answer that
must get. If I spoke to Katharine, I
was reckoning the shortest time at
which letter could possibly reach
me; when I was sewing, l murmured
to myself:
Only twelve hours, and then I can
have an answer; or he will come him
self-that is quite possible Oh, how,
I would receive him, not a word of
reprOach would cross my lips. My sew
ing was thrust back into the basket,
and I walked restIessly about the
house.
I went to look at my fathers room
he was coming in a week now. How
long a week seemed so endIessly
long-it would be a long time to to-
morrow. My plants were full of wither-
ed leaves that must be picked off;
the whole room seemed disorderIy.
pushed the furniture about and pull
ed the curtains straight-he might
come! I went into the garden and
looked for snow drops, and arranged
them daintily in glass. Then I
spread white coyerlet over Kathar-
ines bed.
" What is the matter with you,
child? Are you expecting visitors? I
should like to know why you are so
queer since you came back from the
castle that last time, when you had
that fall. Yesterday you looked as
white as the cloth round your head
and today your cheeks are burning
And you don't speak a word, and deep
signs are the only sound that comes
from your Iips-teu me, dearie, what
is it?'
Nothing, Katharine I said, soOth-
ingly, sitting on her bed and grasping
the Withered hands. 1t is spring out
side; don't you feel how warm the sun
is already? Soon we can carry you in
your bed to the open window; that
will be good for you
THE old woman shook her head.
What an answer that is, and what
deep blue rings you have got under
your eyes!'
The night passed and the morning
dawned. I looked out of the window
every moment. Once I fancied I saw
Friedel turn the corner by the church.
I gave a sudden start, but it was not
he. The afternoon passed; the day
drew to a close; my burning, tired
eyes could distinguish nothing more
on the road, and I sat at the window
and tried my best to keep fast hold
of my DISTINGUISHING hopes. Outside,
Marie was singing over her work, in a
loud voice, an old popular love song.
To be continued.