Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-05-14
Continued.


ment was in the second story Of a
very pretty house, but the stairs were
steep, the rooms were low and small.
There was Hannah's room, Bergen's
room, a salon, a bedroom, and the
servants room; that was all
Il could hardly suppress a cry Of
delight. How cosey, how comfortable
and dainty 1t all looked! 1t was easy
to see that Bergen had ordered every
thing and looked after it, had put
every statuette, in its proper place.
How charming was that little corner
In the bay window, the dainty work
table with the low chair in front Of 1t,
haIfhidden behind airy white curtains!
Here she would sit, the little fair
haired woman, and watch for him
when he came home from his duties.
"A bitter longing for home Of my
own like it, seized upon me. I looked
round for Eberhardt; there he stood,
and, half-sadly, half-joyfully, he look
ed across at me. Oh, I knew he was
thinking the same thing as l was!
The beautiful countess, in her
sable robes, looked at this cosey home
with an air Of mingled wonder and
contempt She looked up at the low
ceiling and unbuttOned her velvet
jacket, drawing a long breath as if
she were stifed. She looked as though
she were going to say something
every moment about common people.
Frau Won BendeIeben, too, 1eemed
very uncomfortable, and said several
times to Bergen that as soon as he
could find a more comfortable and
elegant apartment he must give up
this one.
How will Hannah ever exist in
these small rooms?' she said to Ruth.
Oh, admirably, to be suran re
piled Ruth. Hannah is just cut cut for
"a she swallowed the last word and
was silent, but the expression about
her mouth was more sneering than
ever.
Bergen was radiant with happiness
and did not seem to perceive that the
two ladies did not JON in my excIama-
tions Of admiration. He displayed all
his treasures with the air Of little
CTOesus, and was entirely of my Opin,
ion that in the whole world there was
nothing more dainty and cosey than
this little home.
The week passed quickly, and on
the eve Of the wedding we two, Han.
nah and !, mounted the stairs to our
little toWer-room for the last time to-
gether. | felt very melancholy; with
Hannahs departure an entirely new
life would begin for me. We were
very fond of each other, and though
had not confded my love TONER, yet
I knew that she felt the warhe st sym
pathy in everything that concerned
ourselves upstairs in our little home
She cast a lingering glance about the
room, and seemed to be taking leave
Of every piece of furniture. We
stood like this, arm in arm. for a
while, and then she said softly:
'Gret7I, it is the last time shat we
shall be together here. | am entering
upon a happy future, and I will con
fess to you frankly, that the parting
from me and from you will be very
hard; put, since Ruth has come back,
there is such an oppressiveness in
the atmosphere that I feel is if I
could not breathe until I get into
clearer air. If only I were not so anx-
ious about you! l don't know how you
will get on here, my dear, good Gret.
ell
I cried softly. I am going back to
my father, Hannah; don't MIND about
me; I shall see YOU sometimes, and
by and by
Wen, and by and by?' asked Han
nah
only mean / said. in some en-
oarrassment you will come here Of
ten, and will come to see me, too,
down in the village
OF course, Gretchen. every time
I come; and you will come and STAY
with me in the city, of course-and
you won't cry So very much tomorrow,
will YOU, Gretchen? Don't make the
parting harder for me; and I must
thank YOU so very, very much for all
your friendship and love in Joy and
sorrow-how can I ever repay lou for
ii! You will always be the very hap
Piest memory to me of my maiden
days, and I shall never forget our
rides on horseback through the fields
and The woods, and when YOU used to
sing so delightfully."-? All, Gretchen. +
desire only one thing for yOu-that
You should be as happy as I am my
self
Greatly moved. I kissed her on her
clear blue eyes. oh, you know I have
so much to thank you for-for every
thing, in fact, Hannah. You have made
up to me for father and mother. be
cause you allowed me to love you,
and loved me in return
The solemn day had come which
was to take Hannah away from her
fathers house. The servants had IN
dertaken, in honor of the young bride.
TO deck the whole castle with gar.
lands Of evergreen, wherever one
could possibly be hung. From our
room. down the staircase, through the
hall to the salon, where the ceremony
was to take place-eVerywhere greens
and flowers were strewed.
Liesel and old Johann had their
faces quite red with crying. She was
beloved by every one, this gentle lit
tie Hannah, from the cross porter's
wife to the grooms; she had won the
hearts of them all, had said many
good word for this one and that one.
ard now the people wished to show