Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-07-30

any other now; that lies in God s
hand
This struck the right chord, and
put all my actions under the care Of
our Heavenly Father, and bowed
humbIy beneath the burden of happi-
ness, which made me absolutely
dizzy.
"Ah, that day wac the eliminating
point of my life. can still see myself
in the little room beside Eberhardt,
on the sofa, between us, the beautiful
child with its dark curls. He had put
one arm round the little creature, the
other rested in mine, and he was tell
ing me his plans for the future.
Katharine, who fulfilled the duties
of my chaperone, sat, as usual, in her
place by the stove and nodded assent
to everything he said. At the New Year
he hoped to get his exchange, then he
would take his furlough and the day
after Pastor Renner was to unite US
forever. Katharine was to remain IN
our house, under the care Of my sensf-
BILE maid and the superintendent of
Frau Renner, and I was to follow my
| UuSDdUu 10 our new uOL1G'
MY eyes were full of tears as
thought of leaving the faithful old
soul; but I had no choice now, l be-
longed to him forever. We had to
promise that we would visit her every
year; but when one looked at the bent
form, the fear was that the parting
would be forever.
to keep up our intercourse chiefly by
correspondence. Friedel was to ride
over every week to bring and receive
a letter; we would not meet very Of
ten, in order not to give occasion for
gossip; Christmas was so near now,
only twelve weeks, and then we
should belong to each other. So we
could endure not to see and speak to
each other so often. had a great deal
to do, too, and l must get ready my
pretty and dainty rousseau. My IA
Their laid by handsome purse for me
for that purpose.
'Ah, what happinessi
How wonderful the world seems
when the heart is SO full of a sweet,
sacred joy! rosy simmer surrounds
the present and the future! what sor-
row can ever touch us? Past grief is
scarcely grief at all, It only serves to
make the present more brilliant. AS
| sat there with the sleeping child in
my lap, with my head resting on the
breast of my beloved and his arm
around me, enjoyed my happiest
hour on earth, and today I give my
warmest thanks to God for permitting
me so full entire, and undisturbed
happiness.
"Ah, how soon, how very soon came
that time of horror!
November had come. One stormy
day-it was on the twentieth, day
which, as often as it returns, loses
none of it's bitterness in my memory
had been to see rau RenneT, my
second mother, as l sometimes caress-
ingly called her. This name always
called up on the pale, quiet face of the
young pastor a faint, sad smile. She
well deserved the name, for she af-
fOrded aid and counsel 10 the orphan
ed bride, and a real mother could
hardly have been more careful and
anxious about her daughter tnan she.
When l joyfulIy, though with some
hesitation. confessed TO her that / was
engaged to Wilhelm, a shadow came
for a moment over her withered face,
and she cast an anxious, troubled
glance at the door of her sons study,
! where he was preparing his sermon;
but then shes grasped my hand
warmly and wished me all happiness.
The young pastor, too, spoke few
/ friendly words to me the next day;
/ only it seemed to me as if his hand
| trembIed as he took mine, and as if
his deep voice shook slightly. When /
! looked into his face, he turned away
and walked off.
On this day, as l said before, I
had been over there for an hour; as
I crossed the street the storm ragged
around me, and l could not repress a
cold SILVER. Willy ran jOyfully to
meet me. took the child in my arms
and stood still in the middle of the
room. Katharine nodded to me, sleep
lily. Then, all at once, it seemed to me
as if mist had come before my eyes;
as if the lamp only gave out d pale,
feeble light. l set the child quickly
down, and put my hand to lny head;
at this moment the clock on the
church tower struck six. Whether |
had frightened the child by putting
him down so suddenly, or whether he
had hurt himself, l do not know, but
he sat on the floor quite still for a
moment. and then suddenly cried out
loudly and as if terrified. l took him
I'D again. and he was quickly COM
forted. But was seized with a feeling
of anxiety, my heart beat violently.
walked up and down the room few
times and listened to the storm that
shook the house; then l looked at
Katharine again, who had fallen
asleep. The child's head, too, was rest
ing on my shoulder. I softly laid the
little sleeper down on the sofa, and
turned the lamp so his face was shaded
then I pressed my hands on my heart,
and tried TO still the strong feeling
of dread that had come over me so
suddenly. l took Eberhardts letter
which Friedel had brought me N the
morning out of my pocket, and read
every word of it through again. Out
side. the wind howled and whistled,
and nv restlessness grew greater
| every minute.
I II am not superstitious, but st THIS
moment l had a presentiment that
frightful misfortune was hanging over