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

was more like a small river than a
path for human beings. The rain was
still falling as it had done the lay be-
fore, and several times I sank in above
my ankles in the soft mire; a sharp
wind blew in my face, making my
binding headache still more uuendur-
able.
"a wagon came up behind me, a
peasants wagon with a linen cover.
tried to walk faster, but It soon caught
up with me; the horses plunged into
the mire, so that the mud and water
splashed me from head to foot At
last I stopped to let the wagon go by,
when familiar voice called to ne:
" 'Fraulein Gretchen! Can I believe
my eyes? What are you doing mere on
the high road in such weather as this? p
And Pastor Renner leaned out of
the wagon and looked at me with sur.
prised and questioning looks.
&" I am going to Wiesenau,' saio,
replying mechanically to his question,
at the same time walking on
But you cannot possibly get there
through this mud; the road IS even
worse a little way further on. May I
offer you a seat in the wagon" he
asked, hesitatingly. 4 am going be-
yond Wiesenau to c.
TO c. l cried.
Yes, there is a convention there
"a food of thoughts rushed through
my brain; then I went up nearer the
wagon, and, fixing my eyes On the
finely cut face beside me, I said:
q" Will you do me favor, a service
on which the happiness of my whole
life depends?'
q" You always speak so solemnly,' re-
piled the young man, in some en-
barrassment. Only the other day
gave you a similar promise at your
reqUest-if I can serve you in any way
I will do it with all my heart
Please leave this letter at Lieu
tenant Won Eberhardt's lodgings
entreated, holding it out to him with
a trembling hand. A burning flush
rose to my cheeks as the young mans
astonished eyes rested searcningly
on me. He took the letter and read,
half aloud: Herr Lieutenant w. Won
Eberhardt, Second Regiment, G., No.
TO Lieutenant Won Eberha"dt, and
from you?' he asked, suddenly turn
ing pale.
" Will you deliver the letter" I in
Quired hurriedIy, and in great agita-
ton.
Z do this? I? Why should I be
asked to do this thing?' he said at
length, huskily.
Because have no one I can
trust, Oh, have pity on me and do it
for my sake l entreated.
For your sake!' he repeated, in a
low tone.
But why should it be just this?' He
was silent, and looked passed NE for
a moment into vacancy; then he fixed
his eyes on me again as I stood beside
the wagon in the wind and rain shiv-
ering with cold, and looked imploring-
ly up at him. Ny white face soon
brought him to decision. He put out
his hand and said:
Go home as fast as you can. I
will do what you ask; the letter shall
be put into his hands. Don't be anx-
ious; I respect your confidence, and
I know you will do nothing unworthy
Of you. Go quickly; your dress is al
read quite wet; go without anxiety
Margaret
''He took off his hat, and I stepped
back from the wagon: but before he
could call to go on, 7 ran back and
cried out in desperate anxiety. Give
me back the letter! I will carry it to
Wiesenau myself. All at once it
occurred to me what a messenger
had chosen! My first Joy at finding a
messenger at all had caused me to
overlook the fact that no more I'M
suitable person could be found to put
my letter into Eberhardt's hands.
What if he, in his jealousy, should get
into a quarrel with the young pastor?
Who could know in what mood he
might be today? To what insults might
l not expose my messenger? What I'M
pleasantness might not arise, what
misfortune even, if these two were to
meet?
Give it to me- repeated. while
these thoughts went through by brain;
you cannot will
" 'Why?' he inquired, IN his deep
voice.
You must not give him the letter
don't ask me why, but he must not
see you
4" And he shall not see me, Mar
garrett replied Pastor Renner. Don't
give yourself any uneasiness about it;
the letter shall be given into his
hands, without my appearing before
his eyes. Go home now, and put on dry
clothes. This evening I will bring you
word that the letter has been deliver
ed, and this report will be the last
word that ever crosses my lips about
this matter. And now, Margaret, don't
thank me, but receive my thanks for
the confidence you have reposed in
me-
Il stood still after the wagon had
gone on for some distance, in the same
place, with my hands pressed against
my heart. The wind snatched the
light shawl from my head, and the fine
rain dashed in my face and cooled my
burning cheeks. A fervent prayer was
on my lips that God would turn all
things for good, that my letter might
convince him that I loved him and al
ways had loved him.
When I could no longer see the