Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-06-04
gke 9astor's Daughter
%. Estmbrrs
Continued.
70. xeimbrra

other day she drove to the CITY again
-Nertens.' our coachman, told US
about it in the evening in the serY-
ants hall-and made FTanzeI run
round half the city after the Herr
Lieutenant. But he could not find him.
and She was very angry with MIN;
and when she came out OF the SHOP
with Franzel behind her. she met the
Herr Lieutenant On the street, and
walked off on his arm. They looked
like an engaged couple. suppose that
IS the fashion in Vienna, but 1t won't
20 down here-the people stared at
them we'll
81 could not stop her chatter, SO
had to listen patiently as Katharine
said,
" oh. nonsense; her husband is
hardly under the sod; there can't be
anything in that
q 'OE, don't you believe it! But I'm
not going to tell tales out OF school,
cried LieseI, putting her hand over her
mouth. as if to punish herself for her
chattering.
q dressed slowly, and comforted my
self with the thought that Ruth had
headache and Eberhardt was not
there. I did not know how I could have
borne to see them together.
'In the evening, I reluctantly en-
tered the old hall, wheI I heard light
steps on the stairs; dainty figure IN
a gray dress daTted towards me, and
we rushed into each others arms
with a cry Of joy.
Gretchen, my GretchenH cried
Hannah.
81 looked into the lovely face; her
clear. true eyes looked into mine, and
the dull pain in my heart was relieV-
ed I laid my head on her shoulder and
cried with all my might
Poor GreteI! you have had hara
time Of it while I have been SO very
happy. Come, don't cry; We will chat
together for an hour, as we used to
do. Come I have been upstairs in our
girIish chamber; everything there
looks so natural. We will sit down in
the old place, and you shall tell me
everything
81 followed her mechanically, crying
softly; but when l entered the dear
old room again, where ! had passed
my happiest days, the anguish Of my
soul grew so great that, sobbing aloud,
threw myself on the sofa and buried
my head in the cushions.
'GreteI,' I heard Hannah's voice
say, YOU are in greater trouble than
supposed This cannot be caused by
anxiety about old Katharine alone
you must be suffering from some deep
er grief Can I help you, my dear,
sweet Gretchen? Tell me; cOnfide in
me-
q shook my head.
Oh, if only could, but I cannot,
! sobbed, wildly. oh, if I were only
dead, dead and buried; that would be
better than to live so; I cannot bear
ii any longer!
Hannah stood beside me, quite at
a loss what to do. Her little hands
stroked my flushed cheeks; her fresh
lips touched by burning eyes.
Poor Gretel, can you not tell me
what has upset you so? Have your cry
out, and you will feel better 1t is al
ways a comfort to have a good cry
"She threw her arms around me, and
laid my head on her shoulder. My
tears still flowed, though more quietly.
She was right; I did feel better and
CaImer.
Silly girl!' I said to myself; as if
everything was over! What reason
have you for crying? Perhaps he had
no time to write, or there may be
some other very good reason; per-
haps he is doubly prudent since the
countess has come so no letter may
be lost. When you see him again face
to face, you will think differently. The
long, gloomy time you have been pass
ing through has quite upset you. Don't
despair without cause; life is really
so beautiful
have given you nice reception,
my dear Hannah, I must say I said
at length. Forgive me; it is over now,
and I can laugh at my anxiety ana
care. It was the weary time down
there in the sick room and my longing
TO see you that have made me so sad.
You are happy, are you not?'
"A ray of JOY beamed from the clear
eyes.
" All, Gretchen, I cannot tell you
how very happy I am
IT listened to all she had to tell me
of her new life, of how quickly She
had adapted herself to her changed
circumstances, how charming she
found it to play the mistress If the
house, and how very good her hus-
band was to her. Come to see me
soon, Gretel; YOU must see it for your
self. All I can say IS nothing to the
reality
we talked together for a long time.
while the twilight came on. darkenIne
the little room. Then Bergen's voice
sounded outside: Hannah! Wife,
You faithless woman! Where have
You hidden yourself so long. We have
waited and waited for YOU. and at
last mamma thought you must be
sitting up here in your old quarters
with Fraulein Gretel If that is the
case. then come out, for we want to
profit, too, by your brilliant conversa-
ton
with a gay laugh Hannah opened
the door. and threw her arms round
his neck.
You tyrant you horrid creature.
We are coming now.
1t is high time he continued. be-
coming more serious, after he had
greeted Ia- Loo-+;7-- 90 az7- -.