VERONICAAnd Other Friends

TWO STORIES FOR CHILDREN

_BY THE AUTHOR OF_"HEIDI"

_TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OFJOHANNA SPYRI, BY_LOUISE BROOKS

BOSTONDE WOLFE, FISKE & CO. 361 AND 365 WASHINGTON STREET

[Illustration]

Copyright 1886, BY LOUISE BROOKS. All Rights Reserved. 

CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER

 I. A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR

 II. WITH FRESH COURAGE

 III. NINE YEARS LATER

 IV. ALL AT HOME

 V. UPON UNSAFE PATHS

 VI. LAME SABINA GIVES GOOD ADVICE

 VII. A THUNDER-CLAP

VIII. EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS KIND

 IX. MOTHER GERTRUDE GIVES GOOD ADVICE

 X. MAN PROPOSES, BUT GOD DISPOSES

 XI. THE MOTTO PROVES TRUE

VERONICA. 

CHAPTER I. 

A VISIT TO THE DOCTOR. 

It was early in the month of March. The dark blue vault of heaven lay overmountain and valley, swept free from clouds by the keen northern blast asit blew across the hills, swaying the big trees hither and thither as ifthey were bulrushes, and now and then tearing off huge branches which fellcrashing to the ground. Other and sadder victims were sacrificed to thisfierce north wind. Human beings as well as inanimate objects fell beforehim. He struck down with his mighty arm, not only the old and feeble, butthe young and strong; just as he swept away the clouds, hurrying themacross the skies, beyond the horizon line, away out of sight. Sometimes inone day, a cruel malady would seize one occupant out of each one of thethree or four little villages clustered on the hillside. A sharp painattacked the lungs, and after a brief illness the resistless disease boreaway the sufferer to the silent grave. 

At the very moment of which we write, a group of black-clad mourners werestanding near one of the pleasantest houses in the isolated village ofTannenegg, waiting for the sound of the church bell, as the signal to liftthe covered bier on which was stretched the body of a young woman, thelast victim to the north wind's cruel stroke, and to bear her to herfinal resting place. In the quiet room within, two children were seated ona bench, which ran along the wall. They formed a striking contrast to eachother. The girl, a little black-eyed frowning thing, dressed in somemourning stuff, followed with fierce looks the rapid movements of a womanwho, standing before an open cup-board, was moving its contents over andabout, as if in search of something that did not come to hand. The boy wasalso watching her, but his dancing blue eyes had in them a merry look ofpleased expectation. 

"I want to go out, Cousin Judith, " said the girl, and her tones were halfangry, half anxious, "Where can my mother be?"

"Be still, be still, " said the woman, still tumbling the contents of thecup-board about nervously. "I shall find something pretty for youpresently; then you must sit down quietly and play with it, and not gooutside, not one step, do you hear? Pshaw! there is nothing but rubbishhere!"

"Well, then give us the rose, " said the little girl, still scowling. 

The woman looked about the room. 

"There are no roses here, " she said. "How should there be, in March?" sheadded, half vexed at having looked for them. "There, " said the child, pointing towards a book that the woman had but a moment before replaced inthe cup-board. 

"Ah! now I know what you mean. So your mother always kept the rose, the"Fortune rose?" I often envied her when she used to show it to us in herhymn-book;" and as she spoke, she turned the leaves of the old hymnal, until she found the rose and handed it to the child. 

"Take it, " she said, "be quiet, and do not get up from your seats till Icome back;" and she hurried from the room. 

The little girl took the prettily-painted rose, in her hand; it was an oldacquaintance, her favorite Sunday plaything. 

When her mother wanted to secure a quiet hour for herself on Sundays, sheused to give her "Fortune rose" to her little Veronica, and it was sure tooccupy the child for a long time in perfect contentment. 

"Look, this is the way you must do, " said the child, as she pulled withher fingers a small strip of paper that stood out from the side of thepicture; suddenly before the astonished eyes of the boy the red full calixof the rose flew open, disclosing a glittering golden verse that lay inthe centre of the flower. Then Veronica pushed the paper-strip back, andthe rose folded its leaves and was a perfect flower again. 

Quite dazzled by this wonderful magic the little boy stared with amazementat the rose, and then seized it to try for himself. 

While the children were playing, Veronica's mother was being laid in hergrave. After awhile Cousin Judith came back into the room. She was"cousin" to all Tannenegg, though related to no one. She came back to takethe rose, and put it into the hook, which she replaced in the cup-board. "Sit still awhile longer, children;" she said, "and presently your motherwill come for you. Be good and do not trouble her, for she has enough tobear already. "

It was the little boy's mother she meant, and the children knew it. Theyknew also very well, that they must be good and not trouble her, for theyhad seen her for two days going about the house with eyes red withweeping. Presently she entered the room, and took the children one by eachhand, and went to the door with them. She seemed to be struggling with sadand heavy thoughts. She usually spoke cheerily to the children, but nowshe was silent, and every now and then she furtively wiped away a tear. 

"Where are we going, mother?" asked the boy. 

"We must go to the doctor's, Dietrich, " she answered, "your father is veryill. " And she led them along the foot path toward the little town, wherethe white houses shone in the sunlight. Fohrensee was a new place, thathad sprung up as if in one night from the soil, and now stood there agreat white spot against the dark hillside. Not long before, it had beenonly a little cluster of houses standing in a protected spot on the sideof the hill, not very far below Tannenegg. It was so situated that thebiting north wind, which blew so sharply over the exposed houses ofTannenegg, did not reach the nook where little Fohrensee lay bathed in thefull light of the sun. But the little place was high enough to be visitedby all the cooling breezes, and was healthy, pure and fresh, to aremarkable degree. When, not long before this time, an enterprisinginn-keeper discovered its health-giving qualities, and built an inn there, guests filled it so rapidly that he soon put up another. Soon, one afteranother, little inns sprang up, as from the ground, and then a crowd oftrades-people came up from the valley, and settled around, for the numberof guests constantly increased, and the strangers found the spot sofavorable to health, that it became a favorite winter resort. And thus theobscure little Fohrensee became, in a few years, a large and flourishingtown, stretching out in every direction. 

Gertrude, however, walking sturdily along with the children, was notgoing as far as Fohrensee, with its shining white houses. She turned offinto a foot path that led to several scattered dwellings up on thehillside, and soon reached an open space, on which stood a handsome house, with large stables near by. Out from the stable, a hostler had just led aspirited horse, which he began to harness into a light wagon. Instantlythe little boy freed his hand from his mother's, planted himself beforethe horse, and could not be induced to move. 

"Stay there then, if you want to, " said his mother, "we will go on to thehouse; but you must take care not to go too near the horse. "

The doctor was just hurrying out from his office; he must have had a longdistance to go, for he was starting off before the usual time for officehours was over. Gertrude apologized, and begged the doctor to excuse herfor not having come earlier to see him; she had been very busy with herinvalid, and could not get away before. "Never mind; as you have come, Iwill wait a few minutes, " said the physician, briefly; "Come in; how isyour husband?"

Gertrude went into the room, and told the doctor about her sick husband. It was Steffan, a strong, young man, on whom the mountain sickness hadseized with unusual violence. The doctor silently shook his head. He tooka small mortar that stood on the office table, and shook into it somestuff which he ground with the marble pestle. His eyes fell on the childwho stood by Gertrude's side, gazing earnestly at the doctors'soccupation. The little creature had something unusual about her, andattracted attention at once. Under her thick black hair and heavy brows, her big eyes looked forth with a solemn gaze, as if everything she sawgave her food for thought. 

"He had no one but himself to blame for it, I fancy, " said the doctor, ashe filled some small square papers with his powders. 

"No, no! he was not the least of a brawler; he was a quiet industriousfellow. They had rented some of our rooms, and lived there peaceably andhappily for three whole years, and never was an unkind word exchangedbetween them. But he was a stranger in these parts; he was never calledanything but the Bergamasker, and the other fellows could never forgivehim for having won the prettiest and most courted girl in the wholevillage. They never ceased to tease and irritate him, and on this especialevening at the Rehbock they must have been unusually offensive. Apparentlythey were all somewhat excited, for they could afterwards give no clearaccount of the affair, but the end was that the Bergamasker came homefatally wounded, and died the next day. Everything has been differentamong us since the Rehbock was built. Our village used to be quiet andorderly; every one was contented to work all the week and rest on Sunday. Nobody ever heard of such a thing as noisy drinking and rowdyism. But Ihave another errand with you now, doctor. Lene charged me on her deathbed to attend to it. She did not leave any money, but she had an excellentoutfit. She bade me sell her bedstead and her bureau, and bring you theproceeds, to settle what she owed you. She was very anxious that I shouldsee to it, for she felt that you had done a great deal for her; and shespoke of how often you had climbed the hill both by day and night, tovisit her. So, please give me the bill, doctor, so that I may settle it atonce, as I promised her. "

"What relatives has the child?" asked the doctor shortly. 

"She has none at all in these parts, " replied Gertrude. "She has been withme all through her mother's illness, and now she is mine. Her mother'sfamily are all gone. She might perhaps be sent to her father's parish inBergamaskische, but I shall not do that; she belongs now to us. "

"I would not go there, " said the child firmly in a low tone, clinging toGertrude's dress with both hands. 

The doctor opened a big book, tore out a leaf, and drew his pen twiceacross the closely written page. 

"There, " he said, handing the cancelled sheet to Gertrude, "that is allthe bill I shall give you. "

"Oh, doctor, may God reward you, " said Gertrude. "Go, child, and thank thedoctor, for you owe him a great deal. "

The child obeyed after her own fashion. She planted herself before the bigman, looked steadily at him with her great black eyes and said somewhathoarsely, "Thank you. " It sounded more like a command than anything else. 

The doctor laughed. 

"She is rather alarming, " he said, "she is evidently not accustomed to sayanything she does not really mean. I like that. But come, I must be off, "and handing the medicine to Gertrude he left the room quickly so as toavoid her repeated thanks. 

The little boy was standing where his mother had left him, still staringat the restless horse. The doctor looked kindly at the little fellow. 

"Would you like to take care of a horse?" he asked, as he got into hiswagon. 

"No, I should like to drive one of my own, " replied the child withouthesitation. 

"Well, you are quite right there: stick to that, my boy, " said thedoctor, and drove away. 

As Gertrude, holding a child by each hand, climbed the hillside, the boysaid gaily, "Say, mother, I can have one, can't I?"

"Do you mean to be a gentleman like the doctor, and own a horse, Dietrich?" asked the mother. 

The boy nodded. 

"So you can, if you will work hard for it, and stick to your work well. You see the doctor had to do that for a long time, and has to do it still, and if you stick to your work as he has, and never stop nor get tired tillit is done, and well done, then you will be a gentleman, even if you arenot a doctor. It doesn't matter what you do; you may be a gentleman ifyou persevere and work hard and faithfully. "

"Yes, with a horse, " said Dietrich. 

The little girl had been listening intently to every word of thisconversation. Her black eyes blazed out suddenly as she looked up toGertrude and said decidedly, "I'll be one too. "

"Yes, Yes, Mr. Veronica! Mr. Veronica! that sounds well, " cried Dietrich, and he laughed aloud at the idea. 

Veronica thought it no laughing matter, however. She pressed Gertrude'shand firmly and looked up with glowing eyes, as she said, "I can be onetoo, can't I mother; say?"

"You should not laugh, Dietrich, " said his mother kindly. "Veronica can beexactly what you can be. If she works steadily, and does not grow tiredand careless, but keeps on till her work is finished and well finished, she will be a lady as you will be a gentleman. "

Veronica trotted along contentedly after this explanation. She did notspeak again. The frowning brows were smoothed and the fiery eyes now shonewith the light of childish joy as she caught sight of the first flowersthat began to peep above the ground. The child's face looked fairlycharming now; her well-formed features framed by the dark locks, made abeautiful picture. 

Dietrich was also silent: but he was pursuing the same train of thought, for he broke out presently, "Will she have a horse too?"

"Why not, as well as you. It all depends on how steadily and howfaithfully you both work, " replied Gertrude. 

"Well, then, we shall have two horses, " cried the boy, joyfully. "Whereshall we put the stable, mother?"

"We can see to that bye and bye, there is plenty of time for that. Itwon't do for you to be thinking about the horse all the time, you know, you must keep your mind on your work if you mean to do it well. "

Dieterli said no more. He was busy trying to decide on which side of thehouse it would be best to put the stable. 

That night, Gertrude again hurried down the hill to the doctor's housesand this time she brought him back with her. 

Her husband's illness had taken a turn for the worse, and the next day hedied. 

CHAPTER II. 

WITH FRESH COURAGE. 

A few days later a numerous company of mourners followed another blackbier to the sunny church-yard. 

Steffan, the saddler, had been universally respected. He had begun lifemodestly; there had been no large industries in Tannenegg in his earlydays. He married the quiet and orderly Gertrude, who worked with him athis trade, and helped support the frugal household. Soon the flood ofprosperity invaded Fohrensee, and naturally the only saddler in thevicinity had his hands full of work. 

Now Gertrude's help was needed in earnest, and she did not fail. They weresoon in possession of a nice little house of their own, with a gardenabout it, and no matter how much work she might have to do in the shop, everything in her own province of housekeeping was as well and carefullyordered as if Gertrude had no other business to occupy her time andthoughts. And Steffan, Gertrude and their little Dieterli lived simple, useful and contented lives and were a good example to all theneighborhood. 

Now, to-day, Gertrude stood weeping by the window and looked across to thechurch-yard, where that very morning they had laid her good man. Now shemust make her way alone; she had no one to help her, no one belonging toher except her two children, and for them she must work, for she neveradmitted for a moment that the orphaned Veronica was not hers to care foras well as her own little Dietrich. 

She did not lose courage. As soon as the first benumbing effect of hersorrow had passed a little, she gazed up at the shining heavens and saidto herself, "He who has sent this trouble will send me strength to bearit;" and in full trust in this strength she went to work, and seemed ableto do more than ever. 

Her property, outside of the little capital which her husband had laid by, consisted of her house, which was free from debt, and of which she couldlet a good part. The question was, whether she could carry on theremunerative business that her husband had been engaged in, until littleDietrich should be old enough to assume the direction of it, and pursue itas his father had done before him. Gertrude retained the services of aworkman who had been employed by Steffan, and she herself did not relaxher labors early and late, to oversee the work and keep all in runningorder. 

For the first few weeks after her mother's death little Veronica sat everyevening weeping silently by herself in a dark corner of the room. WhenGertrude found her thus grieving, she asked kindly what ailed her, andagain and again, she received only this sorrowful answer, "I want my mother. "

Gertrude drew the child tenderly towards her, caressing her, andpromising her that they would all go together some day to join her mother, who had only gone on before, that she might get strong and well again. Andgradually this second mother grew to take the place of her own, and nogame, no amusement could draw the loving child away from Gertrude's side. Only Dietrich could succeed in enticing her to go with him now and then. 

The lad's love for his mother showed itself in a louder and moredemonstrative manner. He often threw his arms about her neck, cryingpassionately, "My mother belongs to me and to nobody else. "

Then Veronica's brows would knit over her flashing eyes, until they formeda long straight line across her face. But she did not speak. And Gertrudewould put one arm about the boy's neck and the other about the littlegirl's, and say, "You must not speak so, Dietrich. I belong to you both, and you bothbelong to me. "

In general, the two children were excellent friends, and completelyinseparable. They were not happy unless they shared everything togetherand wherever one went, the other must go too. They went regularly toschool every morning, and were always joined by two of the neighbors'children, who went with them. 

These were, the son of the shoemaker, long, bony Jost, with his little, cunning eyes, --and the sexton's boy, who was as broad as he was long, andfrom whose round face two pale eyes peered forth upon the world, ininnocently stupid surprise. His name was Blasius, nicknamed Blasi. 

Often, on the way to school, quarrels arose between Dieterli and the twoother boys. It would occur to one of them to try what Veronica would do ifhe were to give her a blow with his fist. Scarcely had he opened hisattack when he found himself lying on his nose, while Dieterli played avigorous tattoo on his back with no gentle fists. Or the sport would be toplant a good hard snow-ball between Veronica's shoulders, with themortifying result to the aggressive boy, of being pelted in the face withhandfuls of wet snow, until he was almost stifled, and cried out formercy. Dieterli was not afraid of either of them; for though smaller andthinner than either, he was also much more lithe, and could glide aboutlike a lizard before, behind and all around his adversaries, and slipthrough their fingers while they were trying to catch him. Veronica waswell avenged, and went on the rest of her way without fear of molestation. If one of the other lads felt in a friendly mood, and wished to act asescort to the little girl, Dieterli soon gave him to understand that thatwas his own place, and he would give it up to no one. 

Every evening "Cousin Judith" came for a little visit, to give Gertrudesome friendly advice about the children, or the household economy. Sheused to say that the gentle widow needed some one now and then to showclaws in her behalf, and Judith knew herself to be in full possession ofclaws, and of the power to use them, an accomplishment of which she wassomewhat proud. One evening she crossed over between daylight and dark, and entered the room where Veronica was, with her favorite plaything inher hand, moving it back and forth as she sat in the window in the waninglight. She could read very nicely now for two years had passed since shehad lost her own mother, and had become Gertrude's child. Many a time hadshe read over the motto which shone out so mysteriously from the breast ofthe opened rose. To-day she was poring over it again, and her absorptionin "that same old rose, " as Dieterli called it, had so annoyed the livelylad that he left her, and had gone out into the kitchen to find hismother. When Judith saw the girl sitting thus alone, buried in thought, she asked her what she was thinking about in the twilight all by herself. 

Dieterli, whom no sound ever escaped, had heard Cousin Judith come in, andcame running in from the kitchen to see what was going on. Veronica lookedup at the visitor and asked earnestly, "Cousin Judith, what is fortune?"

"Ah, you are always asking some strange question that no one else everthought of asking;" said Cousin Judith, "where on earth did you ever hearof fortune?"

"Here, " said Veronica, holding up the rose with the golden verse in thecentre. "Shall I read it to you?"

"Yes, do, child. "

Veronica read--

 "Fortune stands ready, full in sight; He wins who knows to grasp it right. "

"Well, it means this--I should say--fortune is whatever anyone wants themost. "

"Fortune is a horse, then, " said Dietrich quickly. 

Veronica sat thinking. "But, Cousin Judith, " she said presently, "how canany one 'grasp fortune'?"

"With your hands, " replied Cousin Judith unhesitatingly, "You see, ourhands are given us to work with, and if we use them diligently and do ourwork well, as it ought to be done, then fortune comes to us; so don't yousee we 'grasp it' with our hands?"

The verse had now become endued with life, and meant something real andattractive to Veronica. She did not lay her rose out of her hand for along time, that evening, notwithstanding that Dietrich cast threateningglances upon it, and finally broke out in vexation, "I will tear off the spring some time, and spoil the thing altogether. "

The rose was not put into the book and the book into the cup-board, untilthe time came for the children to say their evening prayers. This was theclosing act of every day; and it was so fixed and regular a habit, thatthe children never needed to be bidden to fold their hands, and kneel toask God's blessing before they slept. 

CHAPTER III. 

NINE YEARS LATER. 

A sunshiny Easter morning shone over hill and valley. A crowd ofholiday-making people poured out of the little church at Tannenegg, andscattered in every direction. A long row of blooming lads and lassies camein close ranks, moving slowly towards the parsonage. They were thenewly-confirmed young people of the parish, who had that day partaken ofthe Communion for the first time. They were going to the house of theirpastor, to express their gratitude for his careful and tender teaching andguidance, before they went out into the world. Among these were Dietrichand Veronica. Gertrude stood at a little distance from the church, andwatched the procession as it passed by. Her eyes were filled with tears ofpleasurable emotion, as she noticed that her dark-eyed Veronica wasconspicuous among all the maidens for the tasteful neatness of hercostume, and for the sweetness and grace of her bearing. The glance whichVeronica cast upon the mother in passing was full of love and gratitude;and seemed to repeat the words that the faithful girl had spoken in themorning, as she left her to go to the church. "I cannot thank you enough, as long as I live, for what you have done for me, mother. " A yet brighterexpression of happiness crossed Gertrude's countenance when the young mencame in procession after the girls, as her eyes fell on the well-formedlad, a head taller than his companions, who nodded at her, and greeted herwith merry laughing looks, kissing his hand again and again, and yet onceagain. That was her tall handsome Dietrich. His mother's heart leaped inher breast at the sight of his fresh young life, so full of hope andpromise. Gertrude waited till the visit to the pastor was over, and theyoung people had separated on their various paths. Then she in her turnentered the parsonage. She wished herself to speak her thanks to this trueand long tried adviser and friend, for all that he had done for herchildren. 

"You are a fortunate mother, " said the aged pastor, after he had listenedto Gertrude's expressions of gratitude. "Those are two uncommon childrenthat the good God has confided to your care, and I feel the greatestinterest in them. The lad has a clear head, and a winning grace that drawseveryone to him. Veronica is serious and conscientious; she has a calmsteady nature and can be depended upon for fidelity to duty, such as it israre to find. The children will be your stay and comfort in your old age. May you keep them in the paths of virtue. "

"With God's help;" said Gertrude, and she left the parsonage with tears ofhappiness in her eyes. As she passed the garden of her neighbor Judith, the latter called out over the low hedge, "They have just gone by, all four of them. It always seems to me strangethat while all babies in the cradle look just alike, so that you can'ttell them apart, they grow up to be such very different men and women. "

"No, no, these four were never alike, " replied Gertrude, "but I agree thatthey grow more and more unlike every day. "

"Yes, that they do. And of you three near neighbors, you certainly havedrawn the best lot in children, " said Judith with enthusiasm, "two likeyour two are not to be found in a long day's journey. Veronica will fullyrepay you for what you have done for her. "

"I have been repaid long ago by the child's attachment to me. She hasnever given me anything but satisfaction ever since her mother died. If Ihave any anxiety about Veronica it is lest she over-work herself. There issomething feverish in her love of work; she can never do enough. No matterhow late I go into her room at night, she is always finishing off somepiece of work; and no matter how early I get up in the morning, she hasalready begun something new. If I had not positively forbidden it, shewould keep at it even on a Sunday. It is a real source of anxiety to me, lest she should over-work and break down. "

"Oh, I don't think you need be afraid of that, Gertrude; work never yethurt any one, least of all the young folks. Let her work away. But I don'tsee the need of her scowling so all the time. She looks for all the worldas if she were fighting and struggling against enemies and difficultiesof all sorts. I like better Dietrich's laughing eyes; they are so full offun. When he goes down the street singing--

 'Gladly and merrily Live to-day cheerily, Black care and sorrow Leave till to-morrow, '

it goes right to my heart, and I could sing too for very joy. No one canhelp loving him. "

Gertrude listened with sunshine in her face to these words of praise, buta little cloud of anxiety shadowed her eyes as she said, "Yes, God be praised, he is a good boy and means well, but I do wish thathe had a little of Veronica's firmness of purpose. It is very pleasant tohave every one like him, but too great popularity is not always a goodthing. And those two companions that are always hanging about him, are notsuch as I myself would choose for his friends. "

"If they could all be put to some steady work it would be the best thingfor them, " said Judith. "Idleness is the mother of mischief. Blasi is notan ill-meaning fellow, but he is lazy, greatly to his own injury. LongJost is the worst of the two; a sly-boots, and a rare one too. It is to behoped that he will break his own leg, when he's trying to trip some oneelse up with it. "

"No, no, Judith, on this holy Easter day, we will not have such unkindhopes as that. I hope and believe that the good God holds the children inhis protecting hand. We have given them to him; that is my comfort andsupport Good-bye, Judith; come often to see us; we are always glad of yourcompany. "

On the evening of this sunny Easter day, while rosy clouds moved slowlyacross the clear sky, and the golden glow faded in the far west behind thewooded heights, Gertrude came back from a long walk in the fields andwoods. On one side of her strode Dietrich, talking rapidly and earnestly:the fresh joy of youth was written in every movement of his little figure, and laughed from the depths of his clear eyes. On the other side Veronicawalked, listening in silence. Her noble features, above which her blackhair fell in shining waves, had a serious, thoughtful expression, butevery now and then, when Dietrich let fall some particularly aptexpression, a look would cross her face that irradiated it like a sunbeamcrossing a shadowed plain. Mother Gertrude looked now proudly at herradiant son, now approvingly at her stately daughter, and again she liftedgrateful glances towards the glowing heavens where she saw promise ofanother brilliant day to come. Far and wide, in all Tannenegg, was not tobe found that day, such another happy mother as Gertrude. 

When they reached the crossways where the footpath led up by the tavern ofthe Rehbock, Dietrich turned into it, and his mother was about to followhim, but Veronica drew her back, saying anxiously, "Don't go that way, mother dear; it is not much farther by the otherroad. "

Dietrich laughed aloud. 

"Now there it is again. Do you know, mother, that I can never get Veronicato go past the Rehbock. She would rather go ten minutes farther round, andshe will not say why either. To-day, Veronica, I am determined that youshall go this way or tell us why not. "

"No; to-day we will not quarrel, Dietrich, please;" said the girlentreatingly, but with a tone that showed no signs of yielding her point, "let us sing a song as we go; mother loves to hear us sing. "

As she spoke, she walked steadily along the road, and the others followed, "Well then, " said the lad, "let's sing 'Gladly and merrily'"--and he beganto sing the familiar tune. 

"To-night I should rather sing the Fisher-boat, " said Veronica, andwithout demur the good-natured boy dropped his song, and joined his cleartones with Veronica's steady voice, the two harmonizing perfectly as theysang:

 "A tiny boat, a fisher-boat, Tossed lightly on the silver sea; Around the rocks, in air, afloat The white gulls circle lazily. A tiny boat, a fisher-boat-- The fisher draws his slender line; He half in dream-land seems to float. Saying, 'to-morrow will be fine. '"

Softly singing, in the soft falling shadows of evening, the happy triodrew towards their home, and disappeared within the cottage door. 

CHAPTER IV. 

ALL AT HOME. 

Dietrich had already worked for some time in his father's business. It wasall in the best possible condition; the work shop, the tools and materialshad been carefully kept up, and everything was fresh and in good workingorder. The old customers had not withdrawn their custom, for the formerworkman who had served under Steffan for many years had continued hisdeceased master's methods, so that the reputation of the work wassustained, and as Fohrensee grew, so also the saddler's orders grew, andthe business flourished. So Dietrich found his trade ready made to hishand, and as good a prospect lay before him as heart could wish. He tookhold with a good will, and being his own master did not make him the lessdiligent. He was determined first to work faithfully till he hadthoroughly learned the business, and then to travel for a while. When hehad seen the world a bit he would come back, go on with the businessfarther and farther, and become a gentleman; and then--then--where could ahappier man be found than he should be, living with his mother andVeronica in peace and plenty. His mother should pass her days in happyidleness if she wished, without care, without sorrow, in wealth andcomfort, and Veronica! Yes, he would give Veronica a life far happier andmore beautiful than she had ever dreamed of for herself! While his brainteemed with these pleasant thoughts, Dietrich sang and whistled at hiswork all day long, and did good work, too. He had a skilful hand and aclear head, and his work went successfully on. 

Veronica had persuaded her mother to let her stay longer in the IndustrialSchool than was usual with the young girls of the neighborhood. Even up tothe day of her confirmation, she had taken sewing lessons twice from amost accomplished teacher. A short time before Easter, the teacher hadassured Gertrude that Veronica had made such extraordinary progress, thatshe was already prepared to teach, and that she had completed the coursetaught at that school, and could learn no more there. Veronica certainlydeserved farther training and the teacher suggested that it would be wellworth while for her to take lessons in embroidery of lame Sabina inFohrensee. She would then be sure of a position as a teacher, as high asher utmost ambition could desire. 

It had always been Gertrude's plan to have Veronica learn to work at thesaddler's business, as there is a good deal of the fine work which issuitable for women, and which it needs a woman's hand to carry out. Shehoped that in this way her children could always remain together and withher. The fine embroidery for which lame Sabina was noted, it did not seemto her at all necessary for Veronica to learn, but she was willing toleave the decision to her. As soon as Veronica heard of this new work tobe learned, she was eager to begin upon it, and she left her mother nopeace until she extracted from her the promise that directly after theconfirmation, this new undertaking should be entered upon. 

A few days after Easter Sunday, Veronica went to take her first lesson. Itwas very early in the morning when she started to go down to Fohrensee; soearly that people were just beginning to open their windows, and only hereand there a sleepy face was to be seen at the door of a house. She had togo early in order to get in a good day's work, for she was to come home atnight, and it was an hour's walk each way. She knew well the old cottagewith the beautiful carnations illuminating its windows, which was the homeof lame Sabina. The windows were already open, and the door also. Sheentered and her new life began. 

Up in Tannenegg, Dietrich sat at his work, singing and whistling merrily. His mother, busy with her household affairs went hither and thither aboutthe house, from sitting room to kitchen, and then with the feeding-bucket, out on the grass plat before the house, where a flock of handsome fowlwere pecking about. All was still quiet in the neighboring houses, butover by the well stood the never-idle Judith, beating and turning herclothes as she washed them. Along the road with uncertain steps came theold sexton, swinging the big church-keys in his hand; he had been ringingthe early morning peal. As he lifted his cap a little to salute Judith atthe well, she called out, "Good day, neighbor, I was just thinking it would be a good exchange ifthe old folks were to lie abed at this hour and let the young ones pullthe bell rope. "

"Well, some one must be doing it, " said the other, and passed on his way. 

Judith had been busy at her washing full two hours longer, when in thedoorway of the sexton's house appeared a young fellow, whose figure, almost as broad as it was long, filled the opening, with scarce anythingto spare. He tried to yawn, but there was not room enough to stretch hisarms, so he stepped outside for the purpose, and there he gaped soheartily that all the inside of his big mouth and throat was distinctlyvisible. 

"There's nothing in it, Blasi! I've had a good look at it, " cried Judith. "If you had been here two hours ago, you might have seen a sight. A girlwith a whole mouthful of gold! What do you say to that?"

Blasi caught at this, and brought his jaws together with a snap. 

"What! full of gold?" he exclaimed, and opened his sleepy eyes to theirutmost extent. "Why doesn't the foolish thing carry it in her pocket?Where does she come from?"

"That's no concern of yours. You will never come up with her, " repliedJudith. 

"Tell me, for all that, " urged Blasi, coming toward Judith, "I can goafter her, and I've no doubt I shall come up with her, and then there's notelling what may happen. Come, where did she go, now? Do you know hername?"

"Her name is Early Morn, Blasi, " said Judith pleasantly. "Did you neverhear the saying, 'There's gold in the mouth of the early morn. '"

Blasi made a wry face and began in an angry tone, "There's nothing very clever in that"--but just then he remembered thatwhen he came out of the house he had intended to come over and saysomething quite different to Judith; so he changed his tone quickly, andsaid, "Can you lend me a franc or two; I have just time to do a little businessbefore eleven o'clock, and then I must be back to ring the noon bell; Imust try to help father, a little. "

"No, no, Blasi, I have no francs for you, " said Judith decidedly. "Itwants three hours yet of being eleven o'clock. Use those big arms ofyours, and they'll bring you francs enough. " And so saying, she lifted herclothes-basket on her head, and walked away. 

Blasi stood looking after her, a moment, then he sauntered off, with bothhands in his pockets, up the road towards, the shoemaker's old house. There sat Jost before the door, hammering away at something as if for dearlife. Blasi drew near, and stood watching the busy hands of his friend, who presently cried out angrily, "So it is holiday with you, is it, you lazy-bones? It is maddening to seeone fellow go wandering about with his hands in his pockets, while anotherhas to sit on his three-legged stool, hammering away at the soles ofthese--these--these Tanneneggers' boots. To-morrow is Cherry-festival inFohrensee, and every one is going; and I, I must get their boots ready! Iwish a thunder-storm would come and wash this away, and that, and thewhole lot of 'em!" As he spoke he tossed away first the mended boots, thenthe hammer, and last of all the three-legged stool, away, as far as hecould throw them, down into the meadow. He was white with rage. 

"What stuff!" said Blasi, dryly. "You are paid for your cobbling; you arebetter off than I am. I haven't a rap, and am in debt besides. I was goingto ask you if you couldn't lend me a franc. You have money, I know. "

"Oh yes, you sleepy-head! It's very likely I have money for you, when I'min such need of it myself! Go ask Dietrich; he has his pockets full, and abig heap besides. But don't be such a fool as to ask him for just one meanlittle franc; ask for five. I'll use two or three of them; tell him you'llpay him again in a week. "

Blasi seemed rather undecided. 

"I should have gone to him long ago, " he said, "but his mother is alwaysabout, and she looks at a fellow as a bird does when somebody is trying torob her nest. I'm afraid of her. "

"Poh! it's all right enough to borrow a little money if you're going topay it back again. Don't be a fool! Go along!" and Jost enforced hisadvise with an emphatic shove that sent Blasi rolling along much fasterthan he wished to go. He grumbled a little at this unpleasant style ofprogression, and muttered between his teeth, "He's no right to treat me so; I'm as good as he is, any day. "

When he reached Gertrude's garden, he stood still and looked over thehedge. Dietrich's mother was there, planting her vegetable bed. Hesauntered back and forth for awhile, and when he saw her go to the othercorner of the garden, he thought he could now get without being seen, intothe room where he heard Dietrich whistling at his work. He went round thegarden, and was just going in at the back gate, when he came plump againstGertrude. He went by quickly as if he had had no idea of going in; andthen hung about watching his chance, but as time did not stand stillwhile he waited, it was bye-and-bye eleven o'clock, and he had to go offto ring the noon bell. 

In the afternoon, neighbor Judith was hoeing in her little garden. Blasistood hesitating in his door-way, and then came out and stood watching herat her work. 

"I am always surprised, Blasi, " said Judith, looking up from her work, "tosee you in company with a fellow, who steals your money from your pockets, before you know it is there. I would not have anything to do with such aone. "

"What? who?" asked Blasi, fumbling in his empty pockets. "Who picks mypockets? Who are you talking about? I know I did have some; I wish youwould tell me the thief. "

"I'll tell no tales, " said Judith, working away. 

"Bah! tell me, won't you? A fellow can't defend himself unless he knowswho is attacking him, " growled Blasi. "You might say who you mean. "

"Well, I will. Go and take him by the ear. His name is Idleness!" AsJudith spoke, she raised her head, and looked Blasi full in the face; thenshe bent to her work again. 

The lad was angry. He had hoped that he was going to get something back ofwhich he had been robbed, and that Judith would help him as she had been awitness of the theft. 

"Oh, what a fuss you make over a few minutes, " he said crossly; "I have togo at four o'clock to ring the bell. I think I ought to take a little fromthe old man. "

"I should say you took more from him than he had. It has just struck halfpast two; do you know how many minutes there are in an hour and a half?"

"There's no getting along with you, " said Blasi, turning away. 

"Well, you get along finely without me, so go on and prosper, " said Judithquickly as the lad disappeared. 

Blasi had by no means given up his project. He did not see anyone inGertrude's garden as he passed along. He clambered up on the lattice bythe hedge and peeped through the open window into the room. Dietrich'smother was seated near her son; both were working steadily, the youngfellow was chattering and laughing gaily, and his mother answered andlaughed too, but they did not stop working all the while. Blasi sawplainly that this was not the time to make his request. He would waituntil the mother had gone to the kitchen, as she was sure to dobye-and-bye. Four o'clock came and the great business of his day was athand; it was time to ring the bell, and he had to go. At last when eveningcame Blasi found his opportunity. He stood watching outside the door, whensuddenly Dietrich threw it open, and started off with rapid strides. 

Blasi called out, "Wait, wait a minute, can't you? What's your hurry?"

Dietrich turned about. 

"What do you want? Tell me quickly. I'm going to meet Veronica; she can'tcome home alone through the woods after dusk. "

"Well, look here, " said Blasi, breathing hard with his haste, and holdingDietrich by the arm. "You see, I'm in trouble for want of a few francs orso. Can't you lend them to me? I'll give them back again very soon. "

"I haven't that much about me now. Stop a minute--yes, here are two francsand here's a half; will that be enough?" and throwing the money to Blasi, the young man hastened away. 

As evening drew on, Gertrude stood at the end of the garden and lookeddown the road. She listened to every sound that came from below. She waswaiting for her children's voices, for the sound of their footsteps; herchildren, who made her life, her happiness, her hope! Ah! there they are!that is Dietrich's voice talking eagerly, while Veronica's bell-likelaugh sounds clear through the still evening air. With a heart filled tooverflowing with happiness, Gertrude went forth to meet them. 

As they sat together round the table in their usual cheerful mood, themother asked for an account of this, Veronica's first day among strangers, and how she liked her new work. 

"Very much indeed, mother, " was the answer, and the young girl's facebeamed with a smile that swept away all trace of the clouds that sometimesmarred its beauty. 

"I can't tell you how delightful it is to be able to earn so much. Butafter all, mother dear, the best part is that I can come home to you atnight. "

"That's what I think too, " said Dietrich quickly, and you had but to lookin his eyes to see that he spoke the truth. 

"And I am as glad as either of you, " said Gertrude smiling. "It has been along day for me. It seems a great while since you started off thismorning, Veronica. "

"What! when your only son was sitting by you all day long?" asked Dietrichplayfully. 

"Oh, you know what I mean. I need you both to make me perfectly happy, andcannot spare either of you;" and she looked from one to the other withcaressing glances. 

Veronica told them all about the new teacher and the new work, and it waslate in the evening before the three separated for the night. 

CHAPTER V. 

UPON UNSAFE PATHS. 

After this evening, Dietrich was scarcely ever able to go on his walkalone. Blasi had always some pretext for joining him, and when Jost foundout that regularly every evening his friend took the same walk at the samehour, he too discovered that he had a great deal to tell him, and toconsult him about. The two accompanied him through the wood, and when theyemerged from it on the other side, they usually saw a graceful figurecoming along the white road that led up the hill from Fohrensee. Thenwithout a word on the subject, as by tacit agreement, they stopped, shookhands, and separated; the other two turned back toward the village, andDietrich went on. They felt instinctively that this was the best thing todo. Dietrich, certainly, found out that his companions were not toVeronica's mind, when one evening, the three being so engaged in talk thatthey had not noticed that they were later than usual, Veronica came intothe wood before they left it, and she recognized Blasi and Jost, althoughthey turned quickly back. 

"They can't have the best of consciences, " said Veronica, as Dietrichjoined her; "if they had only straight-forward business on hand, why didthey take themselves off so hastily, as soon as I came in sight?"

"Can't you understand that we may have something to talk about, that wedo not wish you to hear?" asked Dietrich. 

The girl was silent a few moments, and then she said, rather seriously, "It would suit me far better, if you were not so much in company withthose two fellows. Blasi is absolutely idle, and cannot be nice, and Jostis really bad; you can see that in his face. He never dares to look mefull in the eye; he always avoids a direct glance, as if he feared thathis eyes would betray him. I believe he is thoroughly false. "

"No, no, you should not judge him so harshly, " said Dietrich, good-humoredly. "He is not what you think him; he is a good friend to me, and has already taught me a great deal that I should never have got atwithout his help. He is a very clever fellow. "

Veronica let the matter drop, but it was plain that she had not changedher opinion. 

The days grew longer and brighter. The wood was filled with sweeterperfumes evening after evening, as the two friends sauntered along theirhomeward path, and in each young heart the feeling grew and ripened, thatstill sweeter and more beautiful days were to come. 

One afternoon in May, Veronica paced leisurely along the white hill-road, her eyes fixed on the tall oak on the borders of the wood, which markedthe place where the foot-path came out upon the high road. Everything wasquiet; not a human being in sight. She reached the spot and lookedanxiously into the wood. She listened; she peered between the trees; allwas solitude. The tree-tops, softly murmuring, rocked gently to and fro, and through the branches she saw the sunset glow. For the first time, theyoung girl entered the wood alone. It was quite dark, in there. She passedalong with rapid step, among the solemn pines, hastening faster andfaster, as the trees seemed to draw together about her. When she came outupon the open pathway, she saw Dietrich coming across the field in hothaste. He was breathless when he reached her. 

"I don't like to have you come alone through the wood, Veronica, " he said, "I thought I should be in time, but I could not get rid of those twofellows. I tried to get away two or three times, but they always hadsomething more to say, and kept me. "

"Where were you, Dietrich?"

"They had some business with me; that is, Jost had something to tell me, and Blasi was there too. Jost did not care to speak of it on the openstreet, and so we went into the Rehbock; and that is what made me so late. Why, what's the matter, Veronica? Are you ill?"

She was as pale as a ghost. 

"What! You've been to the Rehbock, Dietrich!" she exclaimed in evidentdistress. "Oh, don't go there! Please don't go to that place again!"

"Oh, now we are to have the old story over again, are we?" said the youngman, laughing, "you have taken some foolish whim into your head; youreally don't know why yourself. What's your prejudice against that housein particular?"

"I do know why; and it is no whim, " said Veronica, earnestly. "I will tellyou all about it. That house has been a terror to me ever since I canremember anything. We were both so young that you probably do notrecollect it at all. We both went with mother to the doctor's, but youdidn't go into the house, I remember now. Mother told the doctor that myfather was killed at the Rehbock. I have never forgotten it since. I amconstantly seeing him lying dead before my eyes; lying there struck downdead. I often dream about it, and in my dreams I am there--and--andsometimes when I look at his dead form in my dreams, it is not my fatherany more, but it is you--you, Dietrich, whom they have struck down dead atthe Rehbock. "

Dietrich was going to laugh at these words, but he glanced into Veronica'sface and was silent. She was more in earnest than he had thought. He triedto quiet and reassure her, by saying that it was only a dream, and nothingto be afraid of. The dream came naturally enough, because she was alwaysdwelling upon the tragedy of her father's death, and in dreams every oneknows that faces are always changing. His explanation, however, did notmake much impression upon Veronica. She said no more about it; but not allDietrich's efforts were sufficient to chase the shadows from her face thatevening, although he exerted himself to be even more amusing than usual. Gertrude observed her silence, as they sat about the table, and lookedanxiously at her. When they had separated for the night, Dietrich wentinto his mother's room to have a talk with her. He told her what Veronicahad said, and begged her to reason with the young girl and urge her to layaside these groundless fears which had taken possession of her. Herepresented to his mother, that of course he sometimes had things to talkover with his companions, and that there surely was no harm in their goingto the Rehbock together for their conversations, and he begged her to makeVeronica see the whole affair in a reasonable light. Gertrude was shockedto find that the child had heard and understood what she had said to thedoctor, and distressed that she had taken it so much to heart. Shepromised to speak to Veronica, but she also cautioned her son againstforming an intimacy with Jost and Blasi. Dietrich cheerfully gave hisword; declaring that he was not particularly fond of their company. Themother, however, on further consideration, decided to say nothing on thesubject to Veronica, for she thought the whole thing would be the soonerforgotten if not spoken of, and she believed it unwise to stir up theterrors of the past. 

The next afternoon, Dietrich left home much earlier than usual, determinednot to be belated again, and hoping to escape altogether his too insistentcompanions. But scarcely had he reached the garden gate when he came uponBlasi, who was lying in wait for him. Dietrich tried to pass him quickly, and to show him that his company was not desired, but in vain Blasi hadnot been waiting round half an hour to be turned off like that. Heexplained that he was in worse trouble than ever to-day, and wished toborrow more money than ever before; promising, of course, to pay it backvery soon; "that is, as soon as possible, " he added. 

"Oh yes, well, when will it be possible, I wonder. How much have you paidme back, as yet, since you began to borrow of me?" said Dietrich angrily. "Let me go, Blasi, I've no time to spare. "

But Blasi went along by his side, and before he had done talking, Jostjoined them and held Dietrich fast by the other arm. 

"Come, come, " he cried, "I have something to tell you that will make youopen your eyes, I guess. I came in a hurry on purpose not to miss you. I've just come from the Rehbock, and I told them to keep the little backroom for us, so that we can talk quietly, without danger of beinginterrupted. Come along, I say. "

"I will not, " said Dietrich, freeing his arm from the other's detaininggrasp. "I haven't time, and I don't believe you have anything special totell me, either. I must go. " And Dietrich strode away; but Jost followedhim. 

"Don't be such a fool, " he called out angrily, "can't you listen when Itell you that I know something decidedly to your advantage. Something thatyou'll be glad to know. You are running away because of her, and it issomething that will be good for her as well as for you. So do stand still, and don't go scampering off as if the gamekeepers were after you!" ButDietrich did not stop. 

"What do you know about her, or her good?" he asked furiously. "Mind yourown business and let us alone. "

As Jost had his own interest in winning the young fellow over, hecontrolled himself, and said in most soothing tones, "Dietrich, I am your friend. Some day you will be very grateful to me. Asyou are in such a hurry, I will not stop you now; only promise me to comeover bye-and-bye for a few minutes to the Rehbock; there's a good fellow, and you will not be sorry. Will you come?"

"Well, I've no particular objection to that, " said Dietrich, and ran offas fast as he could. 

Blasi, who had kept pace with the other two, seeing that there was nochance for him now, turned back with Jost, and the two went into theRehbock together. 

Dietrich met Veronica quite the other side of the wood. He did his best torouse her from her silent mood, and to restore her to better spirits; buthe found it impossible to efface the impression she had received theevening before. The painful memory had been too deeply stamped upon hermind, to be easily wiped out. 

When the little family had bade each other good-night, after their usualaffectionate conversation, Dietrich hesitated about keeping his half-madepromise. He did not want to go; yet Jost's words, that the affair touchedher as nearly as it did him, had made their intended impression, andthough it went sadly against his grain to know that Jost dared even tothink about Veronica and her interests at all, still he could not helpwondering what it was all about. Suddenly his resolution was taken; heturned about, went down stairs and softly left the house. 

Jost was standing in the doorway of the Rehbock, looking out into thenight to see if Dietrich was coming. They went at once into the littleback room. Blasi was there, sitting behind a big empty bowl; indeed henever sat long behind a full one, for as the bowl was there to be emptiedhe thought the quicker it was done the better. 

"I'm glad you have come, " he cried out, "for we've run quite dry here. "

Dietrich perceived that he was expected to counteract the dryness; so heordered some beer, and when this was supplied Jost began in a cautioustone, "I have something to say to you, Dietrich, that I don't care for thoseoutside to hear. Blasi can stay, because he is our comrade. "

"And because he can be made useful, " said Dietrich readily, for he knew ofold that Jost was in the habit of rushing Blasi forward, where he did notdare to go himself. 

"I don't know about that, " said Jost, "but now listen to me. Do you knowhow a fellow who hasn't so much as a penny in his purse, can in one nightget enough to build a big stone house, like the one the landlord of thelion has in Fohrensee, and make himself a gentleman all at once? I knowhow; I know somebody who has explained it all to me, and I tell you, Dietrich, you have only to say the word, and you can do the same, and giveup the whole saddler's business. You can afford to risk something; you'renot stupid; and with you it will all go right in a twinkling. "

"Do you mean by card-playing?" asked Dietrich rather contemptuously, forhe had made up his mind about that long ago. 

"No indeed, something very different. It is done on paper. You havenothing to do but put some money down, and you can win two or three timesas much in no time. "

"And lose _four_ times, I suppose?"

"There's no losing about it;" said Jost confidently, "You're sure to winin the end, if you keep on long enough. It doesn't signify if you do losea little at first--you can afford to wait. "

"I think my trade is surer of winning;" said Dietrich. 

"Oh yes, sure enough!" said Jost scornfully. "It is a pretty sight to seea fellow like you, sitting there year after year on the saddler's bench, scraping all the skin off his hands; and with all the income you have, too! why in ten years you won't have as much as will build you a housesuch as you want, and it would take ten years more to become a gentleman;and she'd like it a great deal better to have something nice now, and notwait till she is fifty years old. "

Dietrich was red with anger. 

"What business is it of yours to be forever thinking and talking abouther?" he blazed out. "You have no concern with her whatever; just keepyourself to what you're fit for. "

"Why do go on as you do?" asked Jost with a knowing wink. "Do you supposeit never enters anybody's head to ask why you keep on working and delvingas if you liked it? Can't we guess who you're doing it all for?"

"And it's not at all out of the way to be thinking about her, either, "interposed Blasi, "there's another ready enough to do that if there wereany chance for him, " and he winked significantly at Jost. Jost took nonotice of the insinuation, but went on, addressing himself to Dietrich. 

"There's no danger for you in this plan. We will share losses and gainsalike, and if we do not like it we can leave off when ever we choose. ButI don't see why we shouldn't like it, when we can earn so much with solittle trouble, and without working from morning till night. There goessomebody now, who has all he wants, I should like to be in his place!"

A wagon was rattling by as he spoke, and its occupant was urging thegalloping horse faster and faster along the road. 

"That's the doctor, " said Dietrich, looking out; "he has had to work hardenough and is still at it. He must be going to visit a very sick patient;he would not be driving at that rate for anything else. It is late for theold gentleman to be out. "

"Work!" said Jost, "well, I speak for that kind of work; sitting in achaise behind a horse. It's another part of speech to have to work withone's hands, as we do. "

"The doctor has to work with his hands too, I'm sure of that. And besides, we have our evenings to ourselves, while he may be kept at it till eleveno'clock at night, as he is this evening, and later. "

"Oh drop all this stupid talk and give us an answer; yes or no. Will yoube a fool and go on pricking your fingers over your work, or will you joinme and have things comfortable without working at all? Anybody but youwould be grateful to me for the chance I offer you. I came to you with itbecause of our old friendship. I know plenty of fellows who would jump atthe chance. You can think it over till tomorrow, and then I'm sure you'llbe glad to accept. I'll meet you here to-morrow evening, and bring someone with me who will explain it all clearly. "

Dietrich agreed to think about it till to-morrow, and now, in highgood-humor and increasing confidence in the coming good-fortune, he helpedBlasi and Jost to empty the bowl, in a toast to the success of their newprojects. 

It was Veronica's habit to work on her embroidery for some time aftergoing up to her bedroom, and this evening she was so much interested inher work, that she did not observe the flight of time, until she heard theclock strike one. She put by her sewing, and hastened to prepare for bed, as she must be up and stirring again by five o'clock. Presently she heardthe outer door opened softly, and then closed from the inside. She blewout her light and gently opened her bed-room door. The moon lighted up thepassageway with a faint beam. Some one came stealing up the staircase withnoiseless steps. She saw that it was Dietrich. He went cautiously into hisroom and closed his door. 

Veronica shut her door, and sat down upon her bed. All the blood seemed torush to her heart and she could not stir. She knew in a moment thatDietrich, whom she had believed to be asleep long ago, had been visitingin secret the hated Rehbock. She sat some minutes motionless on her bed, in a kind of dull pain. Then she arose slowly, lighted her lamp again, took out her work and with nervous fingers drove on her needle, which flewfaster and faster through the white cloth. She did not sleep at all thatnight. 

Nor did Dietrich fall asleep easily. His thoughts were busy and he couldnot come to any decision. What should he do?

If he could become rich at once, without working any more, why shouldn'the do it? Would it be best to consult his mother? No, that would upseteverything. He was sure that his mother was too firmly wedded to the oldideas about ways of getting a living, to listen to any new-fangled methodsof making money without work. 

And Veronica?

Certainly not Veronica, who valued work above everything, and who indeedloved it so well, that she could not imagine that any one should ever wishto escape it. 

But if he were successful, both his mother and Veronica would profit byhis good fortune as much as himself. Why couldn't he go on with his ownplans in his own way? Why need he ask leave of Veronica?

Before he slept, Dietrich had decided to meet Jost the next evening, andclose with his offer. 

When Gertrude came down stairs early in the morning, she found thebreakfast ready, and Veronica dressed to go out. 

"Wait just a moment, " said the mother, "Dietrich will be down directly; Ihear him coming. "

"I must be off, " replied Veronica. She went towards the door, but turnedbefore going out. Her cheeks were flaming. 

"Mother, " she said, and her voice trembled, "in God's name, forbid him togo to that dreadful place. He did not come home till one o'clock lastnight. " And she vanished. Gertrude gazed after her in surprise. 

When Dietrich came down, he asked in his usual bright fashion, afterVeronica, and when his mother with some anxiety told him what the girl hadsaid, he made his explanation with such a frank, unembarrassed manner, that her fears were quieted; for it was plain that he had nothing upon hisconscience. He said that he knew his mother would approve of his helping afriend in need, and not the less if in so doing he should also helphimself. It was a scheme of this kind that he had been talking over, thenight before. Jost had to work very hard to make both ends meet, andDietrich thought that if by putting some money into his scheme, he couldhelp his old acquaintance to more profit with less labor, and at the sametime gain by it himself, his mother would be the last to blame him. 

Gertrude was a soft-hearted woman. She answered her son that if there wasnothing wrong about this business, it was certainly a good thing to helpJost, who had received nothing from his father, not even tools for histrade, and who had seemed to have everything against him. 

"With you it was very different, my boy, " she said in conclusion. "Yourfather left you an excellent business, and if you continue to work as youhave done, you will be very well off in a few years. How kindly the goodGod has dealt with us, my son! We may hope for many happy days together!"

He agreed with her cordially, but he thought it as well not to unfold hisplans to her any farther. He said to himself that he was not going to doanything wrong, certainly not; but his mother's ideas were a littleold-fashioned, and she wouldn't understand his schemes. He would surpriseher with his success. 

CHAPTER VI. 

LAME SABINA GIVES GOOD ADVICE. 

Veronica's teacher, Sabina, had been a hunchback from her birth, and hadbecome lame when still young; she had used crutches since she was twentyyears old. Like many persons who suffer under physical disabilities, shehad clever penetrating eyes, and on this day, she often raised them fromthe work which she was pursuing with indefatigable industry, to glance ather pupil, who sat opposite. Veronica was at work on the same piece whichshe had had at home on the previous night, that night which she hadpassed in such sad forbodings. 

After many inquiring glances, Sabina at last said thoughtfully:

"I'm puzzled about you, Veronica. That piece of work you are upon, iswonderfully well done; every stitch is perfectly even, the cloth and thesilk are as white as snow; yet you must have done most of it at night, foryesterday afternoon you were not nearly so far along. Whatever you putyour hand to, succeeds. Yet your eyebrows grow more and more scowlingevery day, and your eyes blaze out as if there were a thunder-storm about. What ails you, child? You are the handsomest girl in all the country roundwhen you have a pleasant expression; and you are as tall and straight asa young fir-tree. Don't you know that?"

"What good does it do me?" asked Veronica, and scowled worse than ever. 

"What good? if you did not have it you would know what it is worth, "replied Sabina, quickly. "I can tell you that. Now smooth your forehead, Veronica, and listen to me. I will tell you something that will make youfeel better and happier. An Industrial School has been established inFohrensee and it is proposed to connect with it a work-room for women. They want a teacher and superintendent, and have offered me the place, butI am not strong enough for it. I have told them that you are fully equalto me in skill and knowledge of the work, and a hundred times my superiorin freshness and strength and executive ability. There is no doubt thatthe place is at your disposal. You can lead the life of a lady, Veronica. Your fortune is made. "

For the first time since Sabina began to speak, Veronica raised her eyesfrom her work. She shook her head sadly and said, "Not my fortune. "

"'Not my fortune!'" repeated Sabina angrily, "when I tell you this placeis yours! Your fortune is made. "

"I cannot grasp the fortune that is offered me, " said the girl, and bentover her work again. 

Sabina's searching glance seemed to try to penetrate her inmost thought. 

"What sort of an expression is that you are using, Veronica? Where did youlearn that? I never expected to hear such words from your lips. It is notlike you. What put that into your head, child?"

"I will tell you something of my experience, and then you will understandwhy I use this expression, " said Veronica quietly. "When I was only alittle girl I learned a motto which ran thus:

 'Fortune stands ready, full in sight; He wins, who knows to grasp it right. '

I saw that 'fortune' was something good to have, and I wanted to find outhow it could be grasped. I asked Cousin Judith, and she told me it must begrasped like everything else with our hands, that is to say, through work. From that time forward I was eager for work as other children are forplay, and the older I grow, the more I strive for the good fortune thatcan be grasped by work. Even on Sundays I often go to my room to sew, andI shut my door, for my mother does not like to see me sew then. I work onand on, just as long as I can sit at it, even into the night; sometimestill one and two o'clock in the morning; yet I do not find the fortune Iwant. When my hands are busy, my thoughts wander where they will, and Imust follow them. But they do not lead to 'fortune, ' but only farther awayfrom it. This offer may bring me a fortune in money and position, but thatis not the fortune I want. 'Fortune' for me, means happiness. "

Sabina had not lost a word of this sad story. 

"Yes, yes, I understand you, Veronica, " she said sympathizingly. "I knowsomething of this too. Judith told you the truth, but only one half thetruth. Fortune is grasped by the hands, it is true; but the Fortune whichyou long for, that is, Happiness, is to be gained in other ways besides. Iwill tell you an instructive little story, and if you will take thetrouble to grasp it, not with your hands, but with your thoughts andunderstanding, you will be able to work it out for yourself and get someprofit from it. It is part of the story of my own life. I have had so muchthe same experience as yours that I cannot help hoping that what I foundgood for myself, may prove good for you. "

"When I was about your age, Veronica, I was so unhappy that I cried myselfto sleep every night. Can you guess why? No, for one understands only thesufferings that he has himself experienced, and cannot imagine those ofothers. Well, it was because I was a hunchback! I remember as if it wereyesterday, when I first came to a perception of my misfortune; when Ifirst learned that I was different from other children, and must remain asone apart, all my life. We were all coming out of school one day, and alittle quarrel arose between us children, and one of them said to me in ascornful tone, 'Hold your tongue, Sabina, you're only a hunchback. ' Fromthat day I never knew a happy moment, and I grew timid and avoided everyone; if I saw any one looking at me, I thought he was scoffing at mebecause I was a hunchback. I kept away from other children, for if one ofthem laughed, I fancied she was laughing at my deformed shoulders. If anystranger was kind to me, I thought that it was because my hunch had notyet been seen, and that as soon as it was, kindness would be changed forcontempt. I looked at the figure of every one I met; all were straightexcept myself. I felt that I was the most miserable creature in the world, and I saw no hope of ever being otherwise all my life long. Once one ofthe school children died, and all her schoolmates walked in the funeralprocession to the church. I would not walk with them, but hid myself amongthe grown people; for every one was looking at the children and I wantedto escape observation. I heard one woman say to another: 'It is lucky thechild's mother has so much to do; she will have no time to think about hersorrow, and she will get over it the sooner, ' Then it came to me like aray of hope, that if I had work to do, I might forget my sorrow too. Imust have work. That very day I begged my mother to let me learn to work. She was pleased, and sent me to take lessons in sewing, and I followed itup till I could do all sorts of fine work, and had as much employment as Icould wish. I often heard people say, 'How finely Sabina is getting on!'But how do you think it was with my spirits? Just as it is with yours now, Veronica. Oh yes, you needn't look at me so with your great eyes. I knowexactly what you are thinking. You think that my trouble never can havebeen equal to yours. People always think that their own sorrows are theworst. I sat and sewed just as you do--early and late; my work wasperfect; I had no rival. I knew that it was good, and I rejoiced over itin a half-hearted way; but what good did it do me after all? The thoughtthat I was a hunchback, was always in my mind. It was like a stream oftroubled water flowing through my heart; it spoiled everything. 'Alwaysdeformed, never like other girls, ' I never forgot it for a moment. So itwent on till I was about twenty years old, and then came on the trouble inmy foot, and I was confined to my bed for many months. Oh! how bitterly Isuffered! Was every misfortune to fall on me alone?' I thought. How couldI foresee that this very trouble would turn out to be good fortune forme?"

"The doctor came to see me constantly; he took as much interest in my caseas if I could have paid him handsomely. 

He noticed that I was industrious, that I did not lie idle even when I wasin great pain. It pleased him to find me always with work in my hand. Whenat last the acute attack was over, and the doctor told me that this wouldbe his last visit, he told me also that I was lame for life. At first Icould not walk at all; but bye and bye I learned to use my crutches. WhenI offered the doctor the money that was due him for his attendance, hesaid we would not speak of that; that we both had to work, but with thisdifference, that he was sound and whole, while I was not. He took my handkindly, saying that it was hard for me not to be able to take anyamusement after working hard all the week; not to go out with the otherson Sunday; and that if I cared for reading, his wife had a great many nicebooks which she would be glad to lend me, and they would make the Sundaysless tedious. I did not really care for reading; I preferred sewing as youdo, but I accepted the doctor's offer and went to his house. His wife wasvery kind and gave me a book at once, bidding me come as soon as I hadfinished it and get another. I began to read the very next Sunday, and Ibecame so deeply interested that I scarcely laid the book down all day, and even during the week I took it up as often as I could find a sparemoment. It was an account of foreign countries and nations; how theylived, and their manners and customs. I was particularly interested toread about how the women were treated in different places; how in somecountries they are sold and bartered for cattle or wool or cloth, and howthey belong to their husbands just as if they were furniture, and theirhusbands can treat them just as they please, as we do cats or dogs. And insome places, it said, a wife has to be burned when her husband dies, because she is only a part of him and has no value of her own after hisdeath. Oh! how many strange things there are in the world, to be sure! Ibecame hungry and thirsty for knowledge. The doctor's wife lent me onebook after another, and in each there was something new and wonderful. Ilearned how terrible the condition of women had been everywhere until ourown Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, and taught that one soul wasas much worth as another, all equal, man and woman, lord and servant; thatevery individual must be free, one as well as another; and that two peopleshould be joined together only by love, and not as a matter of ownership. But even now-a-days there are still countries and islands where men makenothing of killing and eating each other, and the women are bought andsold like goods. It is only where the influence of Christianity haspenetrated, that there is true equality of womanhood. You can imagine theflood of new ideas that crowded in upon me as I read, and I assure youthat I was able to forget sometimes for many days that I was a hunchback, and when I did remember it, the thought had lost its sting. I dwelt uponthe many privations and sufferings of others, till they seemed to outweighmy own trouble so that it dwindled in my estimation; and gradually I beganto see the good side of my lot. How independently I could live supportingmyself; what a wealth of interest was opened to me through my reading, andin fact how fortunate I was, and blessed beyond many another! Yes, Veronica, I can assure you that I am now a happy woman, with a heartfilled with gratitude to the good God for the blessings he has sent me. And so I say to you, my child, from the fulness of my own experience, thatyou have no right to go about looking like a thunder-cloud; you with allthe freshness and beauty of your young life!

Tell me do you owe our Lord God something or is He in debt to you? Haveyou nothing to thank him for? Others can see how much you have to lookforward to. Get yourself together, girl, and try to give your thoughtsanother direction. "

"I should be only too glad to do so, " said Veronica, who had listenedintently to every word that Sabina had said. "Have you any such book asyou describe, that you can lend me to read?"

Sabina was well pleased at this request. She had a book close at hand, which she had just finished reading, and from which she expected greatthings for the young girl. Veronica was moved by Sabina's glowing words, to believe that her future might be happier, and that the clouds ofdespondency which had overshadowed her, were about to be dispersed. 

She lost no time, for she was in earnest. She opened the book that veryevening, and began to read. But her sanguine expectations were notfulfilled. She read the words, she understood their meaning; but it was asif she heard them at a distance and through them all, louder than allelse, sounded something in her ears and in her heart that drowned them. Itwas the flow of the troubled waters, as Sabina had said. The waves rosehigher; their noise increased, until Veronica lost all hearing andunderstanding of what she was reading. Still she persevered; perhapsbye-and-bye it would come right. Alas! was not that the house door openingand shutting again so softly late in the night? She flung the book aside;walked rapidly back and forth in her chamber for awhile, then unfolded hersewing, and worked steadily on and on, until the morning broke and a newday called her to its duties. 

CHAPTER VII. 

A THUNDER CLAP. 

Blasi, the lounger, stood in his doorway in the clear sunshine of thislovely summer morning, both hands plunged deep into his pockets as was hiswont, and looked about him as if to see whether everything in the outerworld was the same as yesterday. 

Judith came out to the well, carrying her water-jug on her head. 

"Look out, Blasi, you are losing something, " she cried. Blasi looked onthe ground, turned about, and searched behind and before. 

"I don't see anything, " he said, and stuffed his hands deeper into hispockets. 

"It's always so with me, " said Judith, "when I've lost anything, I can'tsee it. "

"Oh ho, you're making a fool of me again!"

"That's all the thanks I get for telling you that you are losingsomething, and I was just going to make you a present that is worth morethan five francs to a fellow like you. "

"What is it? Show it to me, " said Blasi, with more animation. 

"First I will tell you something, and then you shall have it, " repliedJudith. "Look here, Blasi, my sainted father used to say, "If you keepyour hands out of your pockets they will get full, but if you keep themin, your pockets will be empty. " Now, both your hands are in yourpockets, so all that ought to go in is running to waste. Isn't that so?"

"Well, suppose it is, " said Blasi, angrily. "Now give me what you promisedme. "

"I gave it to you this very minute. I said you'd better take your handsout of your pockets, and then your earnings would run in. That's goodadvice and worth more than five francs. 

"What stuff! No one ever knows how to take you, " grumbled Blasi. 

"It wouldn't help you to take me, if you did not take your hands out too, "said Judith, "but never mind, I have really something good for you, " andJudith motioned to him to come nearer. "Would you like to have a nicewell-washed shirt for Sunday? I will do one up for you if you will tell mesomething. "

That was an offer worth listening to. Sunday was a wretched day for Blasi, for when he had turned his two shirts and worn them both on both sides, hehad never a clean one for Sunday. He had no one to wash for him. Hismother was dead, and his father had enough else to spend for, without thewashing for a grown-up son. Blasi's money went for other things thanwashing, and he was not fond of doing it for himself. 

The proposition was therefore very apropos. "Come a little nearer to thewell; no one knows who may be behind those trees. Now listen; Can you tellme what is going wrong with Dietrich? He never whistles now, he neverlaughs, and his mother looks so sad, and she rarely speaks even to answerwhen spoken to. Something has happened to Dietrich. "

"Yes, and keeps on happening; all sorts of things, too. But Jost can tellyou more than I can. They sit together in the Rehbock half the night andmore, too; long after everybody else has gone, there they sit in thelittle back room. At first they do just as other people do, they drink alittle and then a little more, and Dietrich pays. But that's nothing towhat it costs him afterwards. They do something with paper, he and Jost. Sometimes it is a lottery and then again something that they callspeculating. I don't understand anything about it. Somebody comes overfrom Fohrensee and explains it to them. He does not belong there; but Iguess you have seen him; he has fiery red hair, and red beard and redface. He has business in Fohrensee once a week, and lives the rest of thetime down in the city; and he arranges everything down there, and thenbrings the account of gains and losses up to them; but it's a good dealmore loss than gain. Dietrich puts in more money every time. Jost hasnothing to put in but promises. He tells Dietrich all the time thatpresently the winnings will begin to flow in, and says that at first afellow must expect to lose, so as to win all the more in the end, and thatbye-and-bye it will all come back; with interest, of course. Thered-haired man says yes to it all. Whenever I want to put something in, and ask Dietrich to lend me a little to try with, Jost acts as if he werethe lord and master of the whole concern, and 'donkey' is the mildest namehe calls me. I am just waiting though, till I can trip him up, and I'lldo it with a vengeance too, so that he won't forget it all his life long. "

"Now that is a good idea, " said Judith. "You'd better tell him then, thatyou do it to pay your debts, and that it would be well for him to followyour example. Now you have told me enough. Bring me your shirt onSaturday, and I'll wash it for you. "

Judith lifted her water-jug and was turning away, but Blasi detained her. 

"Just wait one moment, I want to ask you a question. Do you think she willhave him?"

The question seemed to interest Judith, for she stood stock still. 

"Who? whom? what do you mean?"

"I mean Veronica and Jost. Do you think she will take him?" As Blasispoke he came slowly nearer to Judith. "He has been saying some thingslately, that made me think so. "

"If you know anything more stupid than that, I should like to hear it, "cried Judith very angry indeed; but she did not move away, for she wantedto hear all that Blasi had to say. 

"I know what you mean, " he went on, "but I am not so very stupid as youthink. It certainly means something, when she is so changed. Jost saysthat she knows all that Dietrich has been about, and she is hot with angeragainst him because he has not told her about it himself. Jost says thatif he only mentions Dietrich's name before her she looks like a wild-catin a moment, and he says too that he has noticed for some time, that shehas no objection to letting Dietrich see that she can get along very wellwithout his help, and you know that she is capable of anything when she'sangry. "

"Well, this was the one drop wanting!" said Judith, and shouldering herjug she went off, snorting with anger, in such a rage that Blasi stoodlooking after her in stupid amazement, and muttered, "I wonder if she wants to get him, too!"

Judith walked along, talking aloud to herself, "Yes, she is! she is! she is capable of anything when she is angry!"

Now Judith had looked upon her neighbor's boy from his childhood up, as ifhe belonged to her. He was her prime, favorite and she meant to do well byhim. She liked Veronica because she was such a steady girl at her needle, and because she would have nothing to say to any one but Dietrich. Thisvery reserve however, was rather distasteful to Judith as regardedherself, but she liked it towards others. She had planned it all out thatDietrich should marry Veronica soon after the confirmation, that theyshould set up a pretty little establishment, and be her beloved neighbors. She meant to be their intimate friend and helper, to go freely in and outof their house, and to stand god-mother now and then. She would leave herproperty to the little ones. Now all this fine air-castle was overthrownand all her plans spoiled. Judith bounced violently into the kitchen andset her jug down with such a bang that the water spurted up into the air. 

"And no one can get a word out of her, either; it is exactly as if all theoil had been burned out. " This last remark referred to Gertrude, who hadgreatly altered during the last few months. She had no longer the cheerfulexpression that she had always been noted for. She had grown very quietand silent. She even avoided her old and well-tried friend Judith, and ifthe latter showed a disposition to talk about her household matters or herchildren's future, Gertrude would give her to understand that she had notime to stop to talk. 

Gertrude knew where Dietrich spent his evenings. She had expostulated withhim about it more than once. He had answered that he must keep on therefor awhile, till a certain undertaking which he had started with Jost wasfairly under way. He assured her that this affair was certain to turn outall right, and that she herself would be surprised and satisfied at theresult. He knew from some one who understood it, that it could not fail. He had to draw large sums several times for himself and also for Jost, buthe was sanguine that in a short time it would all be paid back, withinterest. Gertrude did not pretend to understand the business, but she sawthat Dietrich believed it to be safe and profitable, and she knew that herson would not deceive her. Still she was haunted daily by a growinguneasiness, which was not diminished when she perceived that Veronica wasgradually drawing away from her. 

This state of things had all come about since that morning when thegirl's beseeching words had fallen unheeded on the mother's ears; or atleast Veronica believed them to have been unheeded, since they had workedno change in Dietrich's behavior. 

Why it was that every day as evening came on, she felt so miserablyanxious, Gertrude herself could scarcely understand. Poor Gertrude!

One night after she had gone to her room she heard her son leave the housewith hasty steps. It had become a regular thing now. She had often said toherself, "Ah! how much longer will this go on?" but she tried hard tobelieve that it would soon come to an end, and her son would resume hisformer orderly and happy mode of life. But this evening she was soanxious that she could not stay in her bedroom. She went down into thegarden. 

The moon peeped out from between the flying clouds, and shone peacefullydown upon the trees and the neat flower-beds. Gertrude seated herself upona small bench under the apple tree, and gazed about the garden, allilluminated by the moonbeams. She had planted it all and cared for it withher own hands. She had done this as she did everything, carefully and withgreat painstaking, and it was all for her son's sake. His should be thepleasure and the profit of all. Why could he not be happy in it now? Whywas she so worried about him? Dietrich was walking in steep and dangerouspaths; that she was sure of, but he knew the straight road and would nothis steps turn back to it again? Her thoughts went back to the days whenher little Dieterli loved good and orderly conduct; it could not be thathe had lost his love for it, that he did not still feel that in the rightconduct of life lies inward and outward blessing. She recalled the eveningof the day when her husband was borne from the house to his burial. Shehad taken the children by the hand and, stupefied with pain, was about toput them to bed, but Dieterli objected, saying, "No, mother, no; it is not good to go to bed before you say your prayers. "

Did her boy ever pray now? "Oh, Dieterli, my son, you are wandering away, but you know the way home, " she said to herself, and she folded her handsin prayer, for her habit was to lay all her troubles before God, herSupporter and Comforter. 

At this moment, she heard through the stillness loud shouts and cries, first at a distance, then nearer and nearer, until they grew into a wildtumult. Then many of the voices seemed to scatter in different directionswhile some sounded as if approaching the garden. A vague fear seizedGertrude. Three fellows shouting and calling, passed on the other side ofthe hedge; she recognized one of the voices. 

"Jost, " she cried feebly, "Jost, what is it? where is Dietrich?"

There was no answer; Jost did not or would not, hear. He ran faster thanbefore, and the second fellow ran too. The last one paused a little; itwas Blasi. He said hastily:

"He isn't coming yet awhile. You can go to bed;" and was making off. 

"Oh do tell me what has happened, " said Gertrude, white with terror. "Don't leave me so, but tell me, Blasi, why Dietrich hasn't come home withthe rest of you?"

Blasi had too much respect for Dietrich's mother to run away from her whenshe put a direct question to him, although he would fain have escaped. Hecame close to the hedge, and replied, "There has been a row at the Rehbock. Two men were killed. Some one stolethe cattle dealer's money bag--"

"Is Dietrich killed? Speak out!" broke in Gertrude, trembling. 

"No; he struck about him bravely, till one of the fellows got enough ofit, and lay dead on the ground; and then he made off. "

With this Blasi ran on. 

Gertrude mounted wearily to her room as if her last day was come. She satdown upon her bed, and when the morning light filled the room, still shesat there listening in trembling anxiety, as she had listened through allthe long night; in vain. Dietrich had not come home in the night; he didnot come in the morning. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS KIND. 

In all Tannenegg and Fohrensee, nothing was talked of but the affair ofthe night before. Never was such excitement known. In every house, atevery corner, in all the roads, groups of people stood talking it over;each telling what he knew. 

Everyone asked questions, and no one listened to the answers. Such a fightat the Rehbock! It began over the card-table. The cattle-dealer fromFohrensee was on his way home with his bag full of money, when he stoppedin at the Rehbock, and joined the game. When the dispute broke out, hisbig fists took their share in the fray. Not until two of the party lay fordead on the ground, did the brawling cease and the combatants begin tocool. Then the cattle-dealer discovered that his bag full of gold wasgone, and raised a fearful alarm. 

Then the red-haired man from Fohrensee shouted into the midst of theexcited crowd, "Don't let any one get away. Run after them! That's the only way to findout the thief!"

This man had not taken part in the fight, but had mixed with the crowd, trying to pacify them, and to restore quiet. 

His advice was useless. A good many had already gone. First of all, Dietrich had disappeared; then several fellows ran after him, and thenall the rest went together. 

On the way home, Jost had told his companions that Dietrich had made offwith himself, and that he, Jost, had told him when he saw him going thatthere was doubtless good reason for his wishing to be out of the way. Butin truth Jost had not said any such thing to Dietrich!

One of the men had run at once for the doctor, and the doctor had come inthe night to the Rehbock, and had found that the two men were not deadafter all. So he had given orders that they should be let alone till theyhad slept off the effect of their carouse. 

In the morning, all those who had been at the Rehbock the night before, were called together; and every one denied stoutly having any knowledgeof the cattle-dealer's money, and all were ready to be searched in proofof their innocence. Dietrich alone was not there; he had vanished, no oneknew whither. Some one whispered, and then it was softly repeated, thenlouder and louder, that Dietrich would not have taken himself off if hehad had a clear conscience; and although nobody seriously believedDietrich capable of a disgraceful act, yet after awhile it seemed to growmore likely, especially when it became known that he had lost a great dealof money in betting and gambling, and was unable to pay back what he hadlost. And many shook their heads and said, "How easy it is for a man to bedrawn into evil ways if he once begins to go down hill!"

Where Dietrich had gone, was now the important question. No trace of himhad been discovered from the moment of his disappearance. Thecattle-dealer left no stone unturned to find him, but he could get no clueto his whereabouts. He had entered complaints against Dietrich, and hopedthat the hands of the law would succeed in getting track of him. But itwas all in vain. Gradually, no one knew how, a report got about thatDietrich had fled to Australia, and would never come back. Little bylittle every one came to believe it. 

Except one. One single person in all Tannenegg was bold enough to swimagainst this stream of suspicion. This was Judith. Not timidly and insecret, but aloud, at all times and in all places, she declared decidedly, "There's not one word of truth in what you all say. It's a lie frombeginning to end. Dietrich has no more stolen than I have, and I needn'tsay more than that. I'll ferret this thing out, till I find the trueculprit, or my name's not Judith. "

The first thing to do was to get a clear account of the whole affair; foralthough she had already heard it told a dozen times, it had always beenamong other people, who were continually interrupting and askingquestions, and were too anxious to hear the end, to wait for the fullaccount of the beginning. So she decided to apply to Blasi, who, as he hadbeen on the spot, must know all about it. But she had to hunt him up; forsince that unlucky evening he had kept himself out of sight. She placedher bucket under the spout at the well, and then took a turn about thekitchen garden behind the sexton's cottage. Blasi stood in the backdoorway, just as he was in the habit of standing in the front doorway, only instead of holding his face up as if to catch any agreeable odorsthat might be floating about, he stood to-day with drooping head, gazingsadly at the uncared-for garden. 

"What's amiss, Blasi?" asked Judith, sharply, coming upon him before hewas aware of her approach. 

"Nothing; if you know of anything we will share it, " said Blasi sullenly. 

"Well, perhaps I know something that it would not be a bad thing for youto share with me. Perhaps it's worth while for some one who has learned itby the sweat of her brow, to tell you that vegetables can be made to growin a garden, instead of nettles, which you seem to cultivate. "

"I don't care what grows anywhere; one thing is as good as another to me, now that Dietrich has gone. There's nothing to do in the evening now. I'vehalf a mind to go after him. "

"Go where? do you know where he is?"

"I don't, myself, but Jost does, and I know that Jost is expecting to hearfrom him. Though he does call me stupid, I have my eye on him, " saidBlasi, with angry emphasis. "And I know it was Jost who advised Dietrichto run away and hide, though he didn't mean to let me know. Oh, I'm nofool!"

Judith nodded assentingly, as if Blasi's information confirmed her ownsuspicions. 

"Here, Blasi, here's a little something for you. Now I want you to tell meexactly how this thing happened, from the very beginning; and don't leaveout a single thing. I want to hear the whole story, connectedly. "

"You may be sure I will, " said Blasi, weighing the silver piece whichJudith had given him affectionately in his hand. "You see they were alltogether in the little back room at first; the red-haired man and Jost andDietrich, and when I went in I noticed at once that something had happenedthat our two didn't like; for Dietrich sat with his elbows on the tableand his head in his hands, and Jost was swearing roundly. Presently Jostsaid, 'We will double our bets, Dietrich, and perhaps the luck will turn. 'Dietrich, only groaned. Then the red-haired fellow said, 'Come, let's godown and play cards with the cattle-dealer, and take a glass of somethingthat will raise your spirits. '"

"Dietrich never used to gamble; nor to drink when he was not thirsty;"cried Judith angrily. 

"Pooh! When every one is playing cards, a fellow can't hold off and say hewon't join, and as for the drink, Dietrich has washed down a good deal ofvexation with it lately, and he took it powerfully too, I can tell you. Well, the play began, and it went on fast. I noticed that the red manlooked mightily pleased, and urged them all on, and the louder thecattle-dealer scolded, the more the red man filled up his glass. When thequarrel came to blows, I heard the red-head call out to thecattle-dealer, 'Come over here, you'll soon silence them, ' So he keptexciting him, and he struck out well with his great fists. The red-headmixed in the crowd, and stuck close to the cattle-dealer, but he neverstruck a blow himself; of course not, such a gentleman as he is! I did notsee Dietrich knock the Fohrensee fellow down, but just when the storm wasmost furious, I saw Dietrich run out, and Jost after him, and I thought Isaw Jost give Dietrich something. I ran out after them, and I heard Jostadvising Dietrich to make off as fast as he could, and send him word wherehe hid himself. When I came up to them, Jost pushed me back; I couldn'tget a word with Dietrich, who ran right off, and Jost pulled me into thehouse. There the noise was increasing every minute, for the cattle-dealerhad discovered that his money-bag was gone, and red-head screamed out likea mad-man, that nobody must get away, and everybody must be searched. Whenthey found that Dietrich had gone, the cattle-man started off after him, and some others too, and then they all broke up. Now you know all that Iknow. Nothing else happened; except that I went for the doctor, who saidthe two men were not dead. When Jost tells Dietrich that, why, there'snothing to prevent his coming back. That is, unless there's somethingelse. "

"What do you mean by 'something else'?" said Judith sharply. "Butthere--you're all alike. One repeats what another has said, till you allget to saying the same thing and then of course you believe it. A niceset of friends you are--the whole of you. I mean to stir up the groundunder you all until I find out where the truth is. Then you can begin tostare with the others, you blind mole!" and Judith suddenly walked off asif the earth were burning beneath her angry feet. 

Blasi understood neither her words nor her anger. He looked after her, shook his head rather sadly, and said to himself, "Women folk are a very foolish folk. "

Home sped the "foolish" Judith; put on her Sunday garments and started onher journey. If ever she had a project in her head, she did not wait tillto-morrow to put it into execution. And to-day she was bent on giving thecattle dealer a piece of her mind. She paused a moment when she came toGertrude's house, then went on her way, saying half aloud, "No, I'll say nothing to her, since she says nothing to me. If 'mum's' theword I can use it as well as she. "

Judith was pained that Gertrude had not from the beginning talked with herof her troubles, for Judith was one who liked to give and receivesympathy. Veronica too was much too reticent to please her kind-heartedneighbor who could never get a word with her about what was going on. Veronica and Gertrude were both very silent by nature, about anything thattouched them deeply, especially in sorrow. On the first day after theterrible blow that had befallen them, they talked it all over, and wepttogether, to ease their hearts of the first misery. Then Gertrude said, "Dietrich has sinned and he must make atonement, but he has not stolen; Iam sure that my son is not a thief. " And Veronica had responded promptly, "If every one in the whole world said that he had stolen that money, Ishould not listen; for I know he is no thief. "

As soon as it became known that Dietrich was gone, letters and bills camepouring in upon the poor widow. Her son had borrowed large sums of moneyand had lost even more at play. She soon found that not only all herhusband's savings, but also the house and the business were deeplyencumbered. She talked things over with the workman who had been so manyyears in her employ and asked if he would help her carry on the businessas he had done after her husband's death while Dietrich was still a child. The man was very angry with Dietrich for having thrown away the result ofall those years of labor, and at first refused to have anything more to dowith the business. He yielded at last, however, to Gertrude's urgentrequest, and consented to remain with her at least till the futureprospects of the business could be decided upon; and Gertrude agreed thatif it should prosper she would hand it over to him, in case Dietrichshould not return within a certain time. 

And so the mother set herself again to her task. She worked early andlate; she seemed to have gained new strength and courage instead of beingcrushed down by this new burden. 

It was curious to see how differently the two women nearest to Dietrichwere affected by this trouble. Gertrude's countenance gradually resumedits customary look of cheerfulness and peace, while on Veronica's handsomefeatures rested a heavy scowl which now seldom left her clouded brow. Yetshe was almost an object of envy to all the young girls of theneighborhood, and no wonder; for she was an attractive sight to all eyes, with her neat, well-fitting clothes, that always looked new and fresh, andher air of strength and activity. Not a few of the strangers who came toFohrensee, made inquiries about her, wondering where she could have comefrom; for they noticed the marked difference between her and the otherwomen of the place. The work which passed through her hands, even if itwere most elaborately embroidered, was never crumpled nor soiled, butlooked as fresh as if it had not been handled at all. She could obtain anyprice she chose to set upon her work, and everything she did found readysale. Moreover, she had been appointed to the place of which Sabina hadspoken to her. She was at the head of the great Industrial School forwomen, where she received so handsome a salary, that she was in a fair wayto the accumulation of a nice little fortune. It was common to hear itsaid of her, "She is really a lady! she can have whatever she pleases, "and it was often added, "If I were in her shoes, I wouldn't go about witha face like a thirty days' storm, as she does, when she can be agentleman's wife whenever she chooses!" It had been proposed thatVeronica should go to live in the school-buildings at Fohrensee. But shedid not accept the offer; she could not leave her mother alone in thistime of trouble. Every evening after her work she returned to Gertrude'scottage. 

During the long summer days it was easy for Veronica to get home beforethe twilight was over. But when the days grew shorter, dusk came on evenbefore she could reach the wood. One bright Saturday afternoon, late inAugust, Veronica had delayed longer than usual in the work-room, to clearall away and leave things in perfect order for Sunday. 

She hurried up the hill road, not so much from fear of going through thewood alone, as from desire to spare Gertrude the anxiety of watching forher. Just before she reached the wood, she met Jost coming towards her. Heheld out his hand with a friendly smile, saying, "I came to meet you; I thought it would be getting too dark for you to goalone through the forest; I can't let you go unprotected. "

"You may spare yourself the pains, " said Veronica shortly and crossed overto the other side of the road. Jost crossed too. 

"Veronica, " he began after a little while, "it is not nice of you to treatme as you have done since Dietrich went off. I know as well as you do, that he did wrong in running away from you without letting you know wherehe went to; but he may write yet, and meantime--"

"Don't say another word, " interrupted Veronica; so decidedly that Jost wassilent for awhile. She crossed the road again, and presently Jost did thesame, and as he came up to her, he began again in a soft insinuating tone, "Don't you see Veronica, that it isn't my fault that things have takenthis turn? I often thought of you when Dietrich was risking so much money, and I used to say to him "think of her, " for I knew how you would feelabout it. "

"Oh, you Judas!" cried Veronica, swelling with rage, and she sprangforward and ran on with all her might. Jost followed close at her heels. When she had passed through the wood, and had come out on the Tanneneggside, he said, in a flattering voice, "Veronica, do you see how precious you are to me? I will protect you andtake care of you even if you do not speak one kind word to me. I shallcome to meet you every day, for I will not allow you to go through thewood alone. You may meet all sorts of people there and may sometimes beglad of my company. Bye-and-bye you will be convinced how much I care foryou. "

Veronica was now near the house. She hurried on and without once lookingback, she sprang through the door and shut it fast behind her. 

"You shall be tame enough before I have done with you, " muttered Jost, andhe bit his lips until the blood came. 

Veronica stood still on the other side of the door until she heard hisretreating footsteps; then she opened it and went out again. She wentover to the sexton's house. Blasi stood in the doorway, in a despondentattitude, with his hands in his pockets. He was brooding over themelancholy reflection that he had paid away the last penny of the cointhat Judith had given him, for last evening's glass at the Rehbock, andthat he had no credit. He saw no glimmer of hope in the prospect beforehim, and looked disconsolately at the ground. Suddenly Veronica stoodbefore him. He stared at her with surprise. 

"Blasi, will you do me a favor?" she asked in a friendly tone, "I willreturn it sometime when you need help. "

Here was an unexpected chance. He opened his eyes yet wider with delight. 

"Tell me what it is, Veronica, " he said; "I will go through fire andwater for you. "

"It is only to go through the wood for me, to-morrow evening, and everyevening till the days grow longer again. Will you? You can have yourevening glass afterwards at my expense. "

Blasi stood speechless; staring at Veronica, who waited for his answer. 

"Why; do you want two of us?" he said presently, "I don't see why. Jost isgoing too, for you told him to go and meet you every evening. "

Veronica's dark eyes flashed forth a fire that dazzled poor Blasi. 

"So! I told him to go, did I? Who told you such a thing as that?"

"Jost said so himself at the Rehbock last evening, before a room full ofpeople; and some of them said that you were going to prove that you couldget along very well without the fellow that ran away. "

Veronica flushed burning red. 

"Tell Jost, " she said, scornfully, "that if he is clever in nothing elsehe is a master liar. I would tell him myself, but I will never speak tohim again. Will you come for me tomorrow or not, Blasi?" she had turned toleave him. 

"Why of course, if that's the way it is about Jost, I'll come. You maycount on me, " he replied gleefully. She held out her hand to him, and wasgone. 

The next evening, as Blasi was walking at his ease, towards the wood, hemet Jost hurrying along from another direction. 

"Where may you be going?" asked Jost peremptorily. 

"I am going to meet Veronica; she engaged me to, " answered Blasi, not atall unwilling to make known his errand. 

"Well, you are a dunderhead to take a joke like that for sober earnest, "said Jost, bursting into a loud laugh. "Hadn't you sense enough to seethat she was making a fool of you? We had a good laugh together about itlast night, she and I, and she said she had a mind to make you go allwinter long to Fohrensee, to fetch her; and that you would never find outthat she was making sport of you. She seems to have made a goodbeginning. "

Jost laughed again immoderately, and Blasi began to waver. 

"If I only knew which of you was telling a lie;" he said, and stood stillto think it over. Suddenly he started forward on the full run, for itoccured to him that he could decide by Veronica's air when he met her, whether she had cheated him or not. Jost saw that Blasi was determined notto give up his enterprise so he turned about, and disappeared among thebushes; for he had no desire to have Blasi see how Veronica treated him. 

When Blasi met Veronica, her face had so pleasant and bright a look, thatthe lad was struck with her beauty. It was not the look of one who wasmaking a fool of him. Veronica was sincere. She talked kindly with him allthe way home, more kindly than he had ever thought she could talk, andwhen they parted, she said persuasively, "You'll come tomorrow, and every day, won't you Blasi?"

Then she pressed a piece of money into his hand, and thanked him for hiskindness so gratefully, that it seemed as if he had conferred a greatfavor on her, instead of having received payment for service rendered. 

As the young man turned away, a new set of ideas took possession of hismind. For the first time in his life, he felt a desire to use the moneythat he held in his hand, for something better than drink. He recollectedthat he had no necktie on, and he was conscious of looking slovenly anddirty. That was not the way for a fellow to look who was going to be seenwalking with the pretty Veronica along the high-road. He would buy aneck-tie in the morning; he had money enough for that. Then his thoughtsran on still farther. Veronica had not spoken to him in this friendly wayfor many a long year. It was not to make fun of him, Jost was a liar asshe had said; else why did he run away instead of going with him to meether? No, he wouldn't be taken in by that fellow, any longer. As theywalked along she had asked him all sorts of questions about himself; whathis business was, and how he succeeded in it and so on. He had not beenable to answer very satisfactorily about his business, for sinceConfirmation, three years before, he had only been waiting for somethingto turn up. He had had nothing to do except to ring the bell at eleveno'clock, and then stand in the door-way of his house until it was time toring it again at four. Then towards evening he always went to the Rehbockto hear the news. All this appeared in a new light before his eyes, nowthat Veronica had inquired about his occupation. Then she had encouragedhim so sympathetically to try to get something to do, and promised to beof service to him if she could. It was exactly as if she had an especialinterest in his welfare. Why did she concern herself about him? Suddenly alight broke through his darkness. 

"Dietrich is gone, and is not likely to come back, " he said to himself, "she detests Jost; and women always do the very thing you least expectthem to; I've heard that a hundred times. She is after me! Good heavens!"he called out in his surprise as this idea seized him. "A fellow mustspruce up! I will take the first step this very day. "

The idea which had seized Blasi's mind that he was to take Dietrich'splace with Veronica, suggested a farther plan. He decided immediately tobecome a saddler too, and before he went into his own house, he turnedback and sought Gertrude's garden. 

Gertrude's workman was walking up and down, for recreation; for he neverwent to the tavern. Blasi went to him and opened his mind; he wanted to bea saddler, and to learn the trade from him. 

The man was quite willing; he bethought himself that it would be rather anagreeable change to have a young fellow to talk to, instead of merelysitting all day by the side of the silent widow. He said he would speak tohis employer, and Blasi could come on the morrow. He was sure she wouldagree, for she generally took his opinion about the business. 

"You see, Blasi, " said he pompously, "if I were not there to look afterthings, they would all go to ruin. In fact there are only two ways to savethis business; either Dietrich must come back and quickly too, and takehold of the business better than he ever did before, or else it must fallinto my hands entirely, and I will take all the risks and all theprofits. "

"There may be yet a third way; who knows?" said Blasi, significantly, andhe winked so mysteriously first with one eye and then with the other, thatthe saddler said to himself, "I guess he's been at the Rehbock. "

CHAPTER IX. 

MOTHER GERTRUDE ALSO GIVES GOOD ADVICE. 

The cold, dismal December days had come. It was always long after darknow, before Veronica got home; but she never had to hurry, for fear ofgoing through the wood alone, for there stood Blasi always ready at theturf hut on the edge of Fohrensee, just where the houses ceased and itbegan to be lonely. If it was fine, he was walking up and down before thehut; if it stormed, he was standing under the shelter of the roof. He wasnever absent and he never came too late. Yet he was busy all day long, and had to run half the way to get to the hut in time. His master did notlet him off one moment before the appointed day's work was over, Blasi'sapplication to learn the saddler's trade had been favorably received byGertrude and he had set to work at once. Now that he worked from morningtill night he never had time to put his hands in his pockets, and thesaddler kept him up to the mark, proud of showing how well he himselfunderstood the business. Blasi was contented, and more than contented withhis life; he had a new and very happy consciousness of being of use, andhe had risen in his own estimation. He felt like a man of property, almostlike a gentleman. By the time he had finished his day's work, and hurrieddown to Fohrensee and walked back again, he was so tired that he wasready to go to bed directly; he had no time nor desire to loaf. And so itcame about that when Veronica wished to give him his piece of money everyevening he objected; for he said he did not want to be paid; he preferredto have his services accepted on the ground of friendship. Veronicaconsented to accept them on that ground, but from time to time she wouldsay, "Blasi, this is your birthday, " or "To-day is the cherry-festival, Ishould like to make you a little present, " or "I have had extra workto-day, and I should like to give you part of the extra pay, for if youhad not been coming for me, I could not have waited to do it, so it isfairly yours;" and each time she pressed into his hand such a large pieceof money that he soon had a considerable sum laid away. Then one day shegave him a silk handkerchief; and another day half-a-dozen new shirts, white as snow; and then again a package of handkerchiefs hemmed and readyfor use; and all this increase of property raised his standard of living, and excited his ambition. 

The night before Christmas, Veronica was late in coming home. It was darkand stormy. She had been delayed at the school, making preparations forleaving everything in order for the holiday. 

When she came into the sitting-room she found her mother at work bylamp-light, mending a ragged old mail-bag. Advancing years had told uponGertrude; and although industrious as ever, she could not work as easilyas she once did. 

"Oh mother, I cannot let you do that heavy piece of work, " said Veronica, as soon as she saw what her mother was about. "Didn't I tell you that Iwould come home in time to dress the house for Christmas, and now you havenot only done all that, but you are at work on that old mail-bag. I can'tbear to have you do so. Why won't you let me do something for you, andtake a little rest yourself. You look so tired. "

"You need the evening to rest in too, dear child, after working steadilyall day, " said Gertrude affectionately. "And I am very glad when there isa piece of work like this that I can do. I want him to find everything asit used to be, when he comes home. I think that with care and industry Ican manage so that I shall not be obliged to give up this house while heis away. I am sure it will be a great comfort to him to find that he stillhas his home. And besides I feel that it will help him to begin life anew, and bring him back to his old right-minded way of thinking. Oh, if hewould only come home!"

"Mother, mother, that is no reason why you should work beyond yourstrength. You have taken care of me all these long years, and now it isfairly my turn to take care of you. Do not worry about the house, dear; Ihave made an arrangement with the cattle-dealer. When you told me that hethreatened to take it, I went to him and got him to let me settle with himinstead. He was very glad that I wanted it, for he said that he didn'tsee what good it would be to him, and he gave me my time about paying forit. "

"Is that true, Veronica?" said Gertrude, and a happy smile stole over herface. "You do not know what a load you have taken from my heart! Oh, youare good and brave! If I could only see you look happy, how glad I shouldbe! If I could find out how to make you happy! I would do anything in theworld for you, if I only knew how!"

"There is no use in thinking about it, mother dear. Happiness is not forme. It may be for others, but not for me. " Veronica spoke with strongemotion. "I have worked and struggled for it ever since I can rememberanything, but all in vain. Cousin Judith told me that work was the way tofortune, and that 'fortune' meant whatever one wanted most; and so Iworked, always, even when I did not know what it was that I wanted most. Afterwards when I learned that for me happiness was the best fortune, Iworked on, for I wanted to be happy, but I was not. I always brooded overmy work, thinking of all the unpleasant and troublesome things that hadhappened. Then Sabina told me how, when she was terribly unhappy about herdeformity, she had found relief in books, in reading, " and Veronica wenton to tell how Sabina had sent her delightful books and how she had triedto drive away her own sorrow by the new interests which she found in them. "But you see, " she added with a sigh, "it did not help me; nothing helpsme. When I read, I was still unhappy. What difference did it make to me, all that was written in the books; it did not make my troubles less. Theold thoughts came right in and left me no peace. Even while I was readingI could not fix my mind on the book, and when I laid the book down, I hadgained nothing, but was as sad and hopeless as ever. Happiness is not forme, and the little motto upon my rose may be true for others; it is nottrue for me. I cannot 'grasp' the only 'fortune' I care for. "

Veronica spoke passionately; with a vehemence that Gertrude had neverbefore heard from her. Her strong, self-controlled nature had never beforegiven way and found expression in words. Now the flood-gates were opened, the stream broke through. Gertrude was distressed at her unwontedemotion. "Veronica, " she said, sadly and lovingly, "this pains me. I hadno idea of your feeling; no conception of your having suffered so. You arealways so quiet and reserved that I thought you had peace within, thoughyour face is so often clouded with apparent discontent. Now I see thatyour heart is heavy. If I could only show you the way to peace--that isthe way to happiness. 

The girl said nothing; she only shook her head as if to say: "Peace is notfor me, " and her eyes shone like fire with her inward excitement. 

"Veronica, " said Gertrude presently, "to-morrow is Christmas day. Do youremember how when you were little children we always prayed together atnight, and how happy you always were at Christmas, and how gladly yousaid your little prayer? Will you not pray with me now, my child, as wedid in those dear old days?"

The girl turned her face aside and wiped away her tears. "I will, mother, "she said, making an effort to control herself, "it will bring back thosehappy days in memory, and give you a little pleasure. "

She folded her hands and began to repeat the Lord's prayer. Gertrudefollowed reverently. When she reached the words, "Forgive us ourtrespasses, " Veronica hid her face in her hands, and broke into violentsobs. 

"No, mother, I must not say it. I cannot forgive him. I cannot forgiveDietrich for having treated you so, and then run away and hidden himselfwithout writing a single word, to tell you where he is. He must know howyou are suffering, and I too. And that Judas! I can never, never forgivehim. He led Dietrich astray and deceived him. He has destroyed all ourhappiness. How can I forgive him? Doesn't he deserve our hatred? Can Ihelp wishing him the worst punishment that ever befell a human being?"

Veronica sobbed as if the long-pent-up agony of her heart would neveragain submit to be restrained. Silently Gertrude sat with folded hands, waiting till the storm was spent. At last she said softly, "If I felt as you do, my child, I could not bear it at all. It would killme. But I do not feel so. When my Dieterli was a little child and I had todo everything for him, before he was old enough to take care of himself, there was much in his character and conduct that made me anxious. Healways wanted to be first in everything, and whatever he wished for, thathe must have, without delay and without effort on his part. And as he grewolder and these qualities strengthened, I often felt that with hisheadstrong disposition he could never become great and good, without thediscipline of a severe school. From the earliest hours of his life, I gavehim into God's hands, and prayed for God's care and guidance. And throughall these years my constant prayer for my boy has been, 'Lead him whereThou wilt, Oh God, only let him not fall out of Thy hands; When this heavytrial came, which was almost beyond my strength to bear, I did not losemy faith that the God to whom I had given him, would not let my Dieterichbe lost. If the hard lessons of life have begun for Dietrich, he mustlearn them thoroughly; and if his sins are to be purged away, he mustsuffer in the process. And though I suffer too, it is God's will; I havehad much schooling in my life, and have learned much and gained much fromit. Do not feel so hardly against Dietrich because he has not written tous. Perhaps he has written, and the letter has gone astray. I look for aletter every day, but if he does not write, we may be sure that he is ingreat trouble, poor boy! He knows how we feel toward him, and if he hasgone into evil ways we must pity him the more and pray God to bring himback into the right path again. As to Jost, I think as you do, that he isto blame for our poor boy's troubles. He led him astray and then playedhim false. Jost is a poor lost sheep who has wandered far from the fold. He has no one to care for him, no one to lead him back again. He is alonein the world. Should not we pray that he may be shown the wickedness ofhis ways, that his conscience may be awakened and that he may repent andhis soul be saved?"

Veronica had listened attentively to all that Gertrude had said. After asilence she said thoughtfully, "Mother, are you made happy by this faith in God?"

And without a moment's hesitation came the answer;

"I know of nothing that can make us so happy as this faith--the strongconfidence in our hearts that our Father in Heaven orders and watches overour lives, and that everything which happens to us is for our good, if weobey him and hold fast to him. I do not know much, Veronica; I have notread nearly as much as lame Sabina, or as you have, and you understandthings far better than I do; but it seems to me that you would have gainedmore from your reading, if you had tried to find something in the books, which you could use to help you in your trouble, and not merely to findout something new about what other people do and how they live. "

"If you learned from these books that our Lord Jesus Christ first taughtthe lesson that all men are equal in the sight of God, and that one soulis of as much worth as another before Him, then it must have been toldthere too, how our Savior brought us the glad tidings that we have aFather in Heaven, who loves His children and who will bless them if theyput their trust in Him. Our Savior shows us the way to our HeavenlyFather, and will help us to overcome all the difficulties that stand inour path. He speaks to us with a tenderness beyond that of any otherfriend, and bids us lay our burdens upon Him and He will help us to bearthem. "

"But mother, " said Veronica, looking with a wonder that was almost aweupon the peaceful countenance of the mother, "can you truly say that youhave found peace and happiness, while you have no news from him, and donot know what dreadful tidings any minute may bring you?"

"Yes, Veronica, I can and I do say so, " answered Gertrude, and her faceeven without words would have borne witness to the truth of what she said. "I know that what ever comes to us, comes from God, and is for our good. But Veronica, we must put away all hatred and bitterness from our hearts;these feelings are all evil, and we must ask to be forgiven for them. Shall I go on with the prayer, where you left off, my child? Try to joinwith me; it will help you, dear. "

And Gertrude finished the Lord's prayer. 

Veronica sat silent for a time, and then rose and went to her own room. She could not sleep, but she had no inclination to seek relief for troublein her sewing, as she had been accustomed to do. Gertrude's words wereworking in her heart. How often had she said lately in the proudbitterness of her heart, "A fine truth indeed!

 'Fortune stands ready, full in sight, He wins, who knows to grasp it right!'"

And now Gertrude had shown her that the words were true after all, andthat she had herself grasped Happiness, the truest Fortune, even in themidst of a deep sorrow, greater even than Veronica's own. 

Sleeplessly for Veronica the hours of the night went by; but over and overagain the mother's words sounded in her ears, and she strove to quiet withthem the trouble and unrest of her heart. 

CHAPTER X. 

MAN PROPOSES, BUT GOD DISPOSES. 

Still no news came from Dietrich. Jost made many attempts to show Veronicahow much he wished to win her favor. He often went to meet her, and hegave himself endless trouble to convince her of his attachment. He couldnot boast that he made himself of any use by going to meet her; for shewas always accompanied by Blasi, who marched by her side with a triumphantair as if to say, "Jost can judge for himself who holds the place of honorhere!" When Jost joined them, Veronica took care that Blasi should walkbetween herself and the intruder, and she neither said a word herself, nor seemed to hear what the others were saying. Jost grew pale withsuppressed rage. Whenever at other times he met Blasi anywhere, he threwcontemptuous words at him. If occasionally Blasi stepped into the Rehbockfor a glass of beer, Jost would cry out, "Oh ho, she allows it to-night, does she, you donkey of a servant? Howwill you look when she doesn't want your services any longer, and givesyou your dismissal? She is already beginning to soften towards me, butuntil she comes to me and begs me to hear her, I won't listen to a word, nor pay the slightest attention to her. "

Such remarks as these, thrown out before all the company at the Rehbockwere very exasperating to Blasi and several times he seized the big bowlto throw it at the insolent fellow's head. He did not throw it however, for Veronica had charged him to have as little as possible to do withJost, and especially never to quarrel with him, and Veronica's influenceover Blasi grew stronger every day. So he did not throw the bowl, butinstead, drained it to the bottom and then left the room. 

About this time Blasi began to meet Judith very often on his evening walk. Judith seemed to have some business that took her frequently to Fohrensee. Strange surmises were aroused, among the Fohrensee people; for it wasknown that she went to visit the cattle-dealer. The two were often seenstanding before his house in the open street, gesticulating vehementlywith hands and arms. The people about said, "Something's in the wind. They're going to be married. To be sure she iscleverer than he, but then he is twenty-five years younger, and thatcounts for something. "

One evening in January, Judith met Blasi as he was coming round the cornerof Gertrude's house, where he was always at work till it was time to gofor Veronica. 

"What makes you go about laughing all the time, and looking as if you hadbeen winning a game?" asked Judith. 

"That's exactly what I was going to ask you, " retorted Blasi, "What haveyou got to laugh about?"

"Answer me, and I'll answer you, my lad. "

"All right; it's nothing to be ashamed of. She'll have me. "

"Good heavens!" exclaimed Judith "Who? Which one?"

Blasi did not turn round, but pointed with his thumb over his shoulder atthe house he had just left. "That one, " he said. 

Judith shouted with laughter. 

"Will she have you all three?" she said; "first Dietrich, then Jost, andnow you. "

"I don't see the joke, " said Blasi crossly. "Dietrich has run away; sheavoids Jost as if he were a nettle, and who else is there? Who is therefor her to call upon if she wants help, hey?"

Judith was still snickering over the news. 

"Now it's your turn, " said Blasi, "tell me what it is that you're sopleased about. "

"It is very much like yours, Blasi; come a little nearer, " and shewhispered in his ear, "I have him. "

"Mercy on us!" cried Blasi. "You will be as rich as a Jew, for thecattle-dealer is worth more than half the people in Fohrensee, all puttogether. "

"I'm not talking about the cattle-dealer. "

"Pshaw! whom are you talking about then?"

"Somebody else, and I have him in such a fashion that he will not forgetit in a hurry, I tell you!"

As she spoke, Judith made a gesture with her hands as if she were chokingsome one, who certainly would not escape alive from her clutches. 

Blasi shook his head and walked on in silence. But in his inmost mind hethought, "I can't make anything out of her; her head is all in a buzz. Butshe's only a woman. "

Soon after, they reached the turf-hut, and there they separated. Veronicawas not far off; and as she came up Blasi joined her, and they walkedquickly along over the crisp, frozen ground. She was more silent thanusual, and seemed sunk in thought. In the middle of the wood she stoppedsuddenly and said, "Blasi will you do me a great favor?"

"I will do anything in the world for you, Veronica, " was the prompt reply, "I will jump into the big pond over there, and never come out again, ifyou want me to. "

"You couldn't get in now; it is frozen hard, " said the girl, laughing. "Idon't want you to do that, but something very different. Do you think youcould find out what Jost knows about Dietrich? Perhaps he has told Jostwhere he is, and where a letter would reach him. "

"Yes, but look here, Veronica, are you still thinking about him, all thistime?" asked poor Blasi, quite taken aback. 

"We will not talk about that, " she answered curtly. "To tell the truth, Iam very anxious about our mother. She has been very far from well lately, and she says every now and then, 'If I could only see him once more!' asif she felt that she was not going to live much longer. Oh, help me getword to Dietrich if you can, Blasi! do help me!" Veronica's eyes were fullof tears, as she raised them beseechingly to Blasi's face. He was muchtouched at the sight of her tears; but then a great fear arose in hismind, for he thought, "She is beginning to soften, and it will all turnout just as Jost said. " And he determined to prevent it at any cost. 

"Don't lose your courage, and I'll try my best! I'll see what I can do!"he said in a very decided tone, and with a most courageous air. 

"You are my only friend now, " said Veronica; and the words spurred Blasion to immediate action. He left her in the doorway, and hastened away. Hewould find out all that Jost could or would tell about Dietrich. He ranacross to the Rehbock, where he found Jost sitting with his glass. For ifJost, as he complained, had to sit and work all the morning, while othersdid as they pleased, yet he made enough money by his work to allow him tospend all his afternoons at the Rehbock, and remain, drinking one glassafter another, all through the evening, and late into the night. 

Blasi seated himself by his side, and opened his case very skilfully. Hewanted to know about their old friend; where he was now, and whether therewas any chance of getting a line sent to him. He did not mind paying for adrink to-night, he said, if Jost would tell him exactly what he knew aboutDietrich; they ought to hang together, they three, who had known eachother ever since they were children. While Blasi was discoursing in thisclever manner, Jost looked squintingly at him, and when he stopped, heanswered scoffingly, "Oh, so she has come to it at last, has she? I have been expecting it. Yougo back and tell her that I can give her all the information she wants;but she must come to me for it, herself, and speak pleasantly to me, as Ido to her. Tell her that she will never see him again, as long as shelives; he is too far off. But if she wants to send him a message, she hasbut to come to me and ask, and I will do her that favor, and she can do meone in return. Go now, Blasi, and tell her this from me. I'll pay for thebeer myself. "

Blasi felt stunned. Jost had seen through his little game at a glance, andtreated it with contempt. How could he carry such a message to Veronica?It might bring the tears into her eyes again, and that was altogether toopainful to see. There was no use in remonstrating with Jost, who sat theresmiling scornfully without farther words. For the first time in his life, Blasi left his glass unfinished. He pulled his cap down over his eyes andleft the inn. When he entered the widow's cottage, Veronica sat by thetable, stitching away at the old mail-bag. She put it down as he came in, and looked up anxiously into his face. 

"It's no use; he is just splitting with rage and fury;" and Blasi threwhis cap across into the farthest corner of the room. He related the wholeconversation and it was plain enough that it was useless for him to try toget anything out of Jost. 

She was silent for a time; thinking over Jost's words. "He wants to humbleme! I am to go and beseech him to tell me; and I must be friendly and dohim a favor. What favor? No, I will have nothing to do with him. "

She took up the bag again, stitched up the last hole, and folded the work. Then she said, "May I ask one thing more of you, Blasi? I hope I shall be able to repayyou some day for all your kindness. "

"Only speak, Veronica, " said Blasi, "I will do anything you ask. If youwant me to, I will go to find Dietrich, even if I have to go on foot allthe way to Australia. "

"Oh, it is no such long journey as that. I am sorry to ask you to do adisagreeable errand, but you see Mother is much disturbed because thismail-bag has not been sent back. She seems to be in a hurry to haveeverything finished and settled up--as if she had no time to lose. "Veronica paused, and the tears that it so troubled Blasi to see, filledher eyes to overflowing. "I promised mother that the bag should be senthome early tomorrow morning, and you see I have no one but you to ask. Youcan't leave your work in the daytime and at evening you have to go to meetme; so there is no time but the very early morning before work hours. "

"I will take it if it snows cats and dogs; but where is it to go?"

"It is not a pleasant walk, unless you go a long way round by thehigh-road. The bag belongs at the post-office at the Valley bridge. Doyou think you could get down the steep foot-path in this deep snow? Ishould feel dreadfully if anything were to happen to you, Blasi. "

Blasi was not afraid. He was proud to show Veronica that she might counton his courage, where he had only the forces of nature to contend against, and not the treacherous tricks of Jost. 

Veronica had a hard battle with herself that night. "Must I do it?" sheasked herself again and again, and each time her heart revolted and shegroaned aloud, "I cannot, oh, I cannot!"

Then the image of Gertrude rose before her, pale and suffering, and sheheard her heart-rending words, "If I could only see him once more!"Veronica could not sleep, nor could she come to any decision. 

Next morning it seemed that Blasi was to be taken at his word, and hisboast of being ready for service, no matter what the weather might be, wasto be put to the proof; for it stormed furiously and the wind blew sofiercely when he left the house, that he could scarcely make way againstit. The half-frozen snow stung and blinded him, but it did not deter him. He forced his way onwards, and though it was still dark and he could notsee one step before him, he went on as confidently and unhesitatingly asif there were no chance of his losing his way. And he did not lose it. When day dawned he found himself close to the Valley-bridge, in spite ofdeep snows and stinging sleet. 

"You are early, " said the post master, who was busy sorting his letters bylamplight. Blasi answered that he had to be at work by sunrise, andhaving delivered the bag and received the pay for it, he started for homeagain. He had scarcely gone twenty steps when the post-master called afterhim, "Hulloa! Blasi, you can do a neighborly kindness if you will, and it won'tcost you anything;" and he handed Blasi a letter. 

"It is for the old Miller's widow, over there. Jost fetches her lettershimself, usually; it is marked "To be called for, " but he'll be glad to bespared the walk such a day as this. You can tell him he needn't cometo-day, you know. "

Blasi took the letter. The Miller's widow was an old deaf woman, who livedquite alone, in a little, tumble-down cottage, just off the road, on alonely hillside. The foot-path that Blasi took, led near her dwelling. Thewoman was an aunt of Jost's, and had known better days when her husbandwas alive; but now she had fallen into poverty, and had grown sour andbitter, and would have nothing to do with the rest of the world. Blasiworked his way to her hut, through the deep, pathless snow. As heapproached the door, he took the letter from his pocket, and looked at theaddress. 

"Heavens and earth and all the rest of it! It is from Dietrich!" he criedout. "I didn't copy all his work at school for nothing. I know hishand-writing as well as I know anything!"

He talked aloud in his excitement, as he stood hammering away at the door, which the old woman was not very prompt in opening. At last he opened ithimself, and came stamping into the room. The widow was sitting on a benchby the stove, picking wool. She had not heard his knocks, and she staredat him with amazement. He explained how he came by the letter, but she wastoo deaf to understand him. Then he held the letter close under her eyes, and shouted in her ear, "Read it! I want to know what's in it. It's from Dietrich. "

She pushed the letter away and said sharply, "It don't belong to me. I never get any letters. Take it away. "

Blasi was fairly out of patience. 

"That's your name, any way, " he said. "I'll read it to you; I want to knowwhat he says. " He tore the letter open and began to read:

 "HAMBURG, 14th Jan. , 18--

 "My Dear Jost:"

Blasi started, but he read on. It was a short letter, and he read itthrough twice. 

"Will you get out?" said the old woman crossly, for Blasi stood as ifrooted to the floor. He stuffed the letter back into the torn cover, andwent out, but stopped again outside. What should he do? The letter wasJost's. He was afraid of Jost, and he had opened Jost's letter! Presentlyan idea struck him, and he instantly acted on it. He stuck the envelopetogether as well as he could, ran through the storm back to thepost-office, tossed in the letter quickly, saying, "The old woman saysit's not for her, and she won't take it, " and was off again on hishomeward way. 

As for Veronica, she had but one thought in her mind all that day. Gertrude was so ill when she went to her bed-side in the morning, thatVeronica's heart at once cried out, "It must be done!" and all day longshe kept repeating to herself, "It shall be done to-night. "

When Blasi went to meet her that evening, he was so full of his news thathe could scarcely wait to greet her, before beginning to tell it; but hewas so startled by her looks that instead, he stopped short, andexclaimed, "What is the matter? Are you ill? Sit down and rest, in the hut, here. "

Veronica shook her head; she could not lose a moment, she said, for shewas in a hurry to get home, and was not in the least ill. Then Blasiblurted out his story; he was so eager, that he could scarcely get thewords out straight. Veronica listened with breathless attention. Suddenly, such a happy radiance spread over her face, that Blasi stood still andgazed at her. 

"Hamburg! did you say Hamburg, Blasi? Was that where the letter camefrom?" Her eyes danced with joy; Blasi had never seen her look like thatbefore. 

"Certainly it was; I am sure of it; I can read Dietrich's writing fastenough, " answered Blasi, and he added to himself, "The women-folk arequeer creatures. No fellow can understand them. A moment ago she lookedall broken-down, and as if she could be blown out with a puff of wind, and now she looks bright and strong as the sun at noon-day. "

"Repeat word for word what you read in the letter, please, Blasi, " and hetold her all that he could remember. It did not take long. Dietrich saidthat he had not much to say, but wrote because Jost was the only person inthe world who cared anything for him. Perhaps some day his mother wouldcome to feel differently; but since he had brought so much trouble uponher, he could not expect her to forgive him yet. If Veronica was going tomarry some one else, he did not want to hear about it. He could not makeup his mind to go to Australia as Jost advised; it was too far away; hewas almost dead of homesickness even in Hamburg. If they were after himfor the man-slaughter, he thought he could hide well enough there, andperhaps in a few years when the whole thing was forgotten, he could comehome again. 

If worst came to worst, and he were taken, he should at least get home, ifonly to be put into the House of Correction. He felt the worst on hismother's account. He wanted Jost to write and tell him about things athome, and it was safest to send to the same address, as he always calledfor the letters himself. 

Veronica hung upon every word that fell from Blasi's lips, and when he hadfinished, she walked silently by his side, deep in thought. Presently heasked her what he should do if Jost found out that he had opened hisletter and hauled him up before a Justice of the Peace for it. Veronicasaid she believed that Jost would scarcely care to say anything about theletter. She advised Blasi to keep his own counsel, and to behave as usual, in a perfectly unconcerned manner, whenever he met Jost. She would takethe rest in hand herself. Blasi was more than willing to leave it all toher; he had entire confidence in her ability to manage the affair. Theletters of all the country round were collected at the central office inFohrensee, to be forwarded together from there to the nearest city, wherethey were sorted and distributed. Veronica thought of this, and laid herplans accordingly. The next day as soon as she reached Fohrensee, she wentto the post-office, and asked to see the address of a letter which hadjust been sent in, on its way to Hamburg. The post-master, who knew herwell, did not think the request at all singular, supposing that it hadsomething to do with the school business. 

"A letter for Hamburg came in last evening;" said his daughter who was hisassistant, "there it lies with the others that came with it. "

The postmaster went to the table and found the letter, which he handed toVeronica. "The address is not very nicely written, " he said. 

The handwriting was either that of a person unused to the pen, or it waspurposely disguised. The letter was addressed to a woman of the same nameas that of the miller's widow. The name of the street was illegible, butthe words "To be called for, " were plainly written. 

Veronica was convinced that the letter she was in search of lay beforeher. So Jost had written as she had expected he would do, the day before. He had undoubtedly seen that Dietrich's letter had been opened. Did hewrite so promptly in order to frighten Dietrich into going farther away?Had he suggested to him a new address now that the old one had beendiscovered? She felt sure that Jost was trying to prevent anyone buthimself from having any communication with Dietrich. There was not amoment to lose. What would she not have given to be able to withhold theletter! But she did not dare. She returned it to the postmaster and askedfor a piece of paper. Her hand trembled with excitement and her heart beatso loud, that she thought the post-master must hear it. 

She wrote the following words:

"Dear Dietrich; your mother is very weak. Come home directly. You havenothing to fear. Veronica. "

She enveloped it, and addressed it as Jost had done his, and handed it tothe post-master. 

"I thank you very much indeed, " she said, "will you kindly see that thisletter goes by this morning's mail?"

"Yes, yes, I understand; it's a thread-and-needle business, " he saidlaughing, as he threw the letters down on the same pile. "They will travelside by side and reach Hamburg together. "

All day Veronica's hand trembled at her work. Outwardly she was tranquiland composed; but within was a storm of conjectures, fears and hopes. Whathad Jost written to Dietrich about his mother; what about her? Jost hadevidently let him believe that he had killed a man. What reason had Jostfor deceiving him and keeping him at a distance? These questions broughtthe color to Veronica's cheeks as she suspected what the answers might be. Did Jost think that she would marry him if Dietrich did not come back? orwere there other reasons why he did not dare to let him come? All sorts ofpossible solutions flew through Veronica's head, and the conclusion shearrived at frightened her. She did not wish to suspect any one of being arogue without good reason; yet the evidence seemed in this case to beirresistible. If Dietrich came home, everything would be cleared up. Butif he did not come, what then? Would everything have to be allowed to goon as it was? She would talk it all over with Gertrude this very evening. 

CHAPTER XI. 

THE MOTTO PROVES TRUE. 

Veronica for once did not carry out her plans. When she reached home shefound Gertrude in a high fever. She spoke to Veronica as if she were stilla child, and had just come in from school. Veronica sat quietly down bythe bedside, and did what she could to soothe and refresh her, and when bydegrees her mother's mind became more clear, she proposed to her to sendfor the doctor. But Gertrude did not want the doctor. She had no pain, shesaid; she was only weak. Veronica sat by her side all night, but of courseit was no time to speak of the letter, and of the excitements of the day. It would not do to arouse hopes that might never be fulfilled, and ifDietrich came, that was enough. All through the long hours of the night, the girl sat thinking over all the hopes and fears and perplexities of herlife, while Gertrude lay still and seemed to doze. Only now and then shespoke some kindly words to the children, and Veronica knew that shethought they were both there sitting by her bed-side; again her littleones. 

In the morning Gertrude was quite herself again. She would not hear of thedoctor's being called, declaring that she needed nothing but a few days'rest. Veronica would not leave her; but sent word to Sabina, to ask her totake her place for a few days, which she knew she could rely upon her todo gladly, for Sabina was extremely friendly, and very proud of her formerpupil, who had been a great credit to her in the position for which shehad recommended her. 

That day and the next night Mother Gertrude remained quiet, and seemed tosleep most of the time. On the third day, it was evident that she waslooking for something, whenever she opened her eyes, although she was notat all delirious; and she frequently exclaimed, "Oh! if I could only see him once more!"

When the sunset light streamed through the window and illuminated theroom, a happy smile lighted up her face. She murmured:

 "He half in dreamland seemed to float Saying 'to-morrow will be fine. '"

After a while she turned towards Veronica and said, "Veronica, sing it again, with him please; it is beautiful, and I like tohear you sing together: 'To-morrow will be fine. '"

"You have been dreaming, mother; we have not been singing, " said the poorgirl, wiping away her fast-flowing tears. 

It was dark now and all was still. The little night-lamp threw a palelight upon the bed, where the mother lay in a half-sleep. Veronica sat bywith big wide-open eyes. Her restless thoughts were busy with manyquestions. Had he received her letter? Would he come? How? When? and howwould the mother be? Suddenly Gertrude rose up in bed with greaterstrength than she had shown for many days. "Go! go! Veronica, " she saidbeseechingly, "Open the door for him! He ought not to stand there knockinglike a stranger. Show him how glad we are to see him again!"

"No one is knocking, mother; you are only dreaming, " said Veronica sadlyshaking her head; but the longing in Gertrude's eyes was more than shecould resist, and she rose and left the room, thinking to please her bycompliance. She heard a step; but then the road ran in front of the house, and it might be any passer-by. She opened the outside door--Dietrich stoodbefore her!

"You summoned me, or I should not have come;" said the young man, half inexcuse, and half reassuringly, for Veronica stood dumb and motionlessbefore him. "Will you not shake hands, Veronica?"

She gave him her hand, saying only, "Come to your mother; she heard your step, and doesn't need to be preparedfor you. But you must control yourself; you will find her very muchaltered. "

Dietrich entered the room. His mother was still sitting up in bed, watching the door, in a strained, expectant attitude. She was indeedchanged. She looked so small and thin and wasted. Dietrich was completelyunmanned at the sight. He sprang to the bedside, threw his arms about her, and between his sobs he cried again and again, "Forgive me, mother, forgive me! I will never act so again! I will lead adifferent life! Everything shall be right! You must live to be happy, mother!"

"Thank God that you have come, Dietrich, " said his mother, trembling withweakness and excitement. "I forgave you long ago. How could I haveanything against you? But, my dear boy, why did you not write one word, one little word to tell me how you were and where? Didn't you know howunhappy you were making me?"

"What, mother! what do you mean? I wrote three times to you and twice toVeronica; and you sent me back word through Jost that you did not want tohear from me; that the disgrace was too much, and that no one dared tomention my name before Veronica, she was so angry with me. I had to sendmy letters through Jost, and he gave me the address of his old aunt tomake all safe. It was better for you not to know where I was, becausethey were hunting for me on account of the man I killed. And you havenever got one of my letters; not one?"

His mother could only shake her head in reply. She tried to speak, but shehad already gone beyond her strength, and she sank back upon her pillows. Veronica, who had been standing by in silence, started forward. 

"I will run for the doctor, " she said, "stay with her, Dietrich;" and shedarted from the room. He hurried after her. "Let me go, " he said, "it istoo late for you to be out, and you can take better care of her than Ican. " He was off; and Veronica returned to the bed-side. He took theshortest road; the one that passed the Rehbock. Loud shouts and cries weresounding from the inn. He hurried by. Presently he heard his own namecalled; some one came running after him, shouting:

"Wait, Dietrich, wait!" He turned round and saw Blasi, who had recognizedhim as he passed the door, and rushed out after him. "Don't run away, Dietrich! Welcome home! Where did you come from? Have you seen her? Don'trun away! Listen to me!" Dietrich stopped and shook hands with Blasi, andagain started forward. Blasi detained him. 

"There's been something going on that you ought to know about, " hecontinued. "Don't think that I go to the Rehbock every evening, by anymeans! I heard there was some strange news, and so I went there to-nightto hear it, and it was well worth while, I can tell you. The red fellowis found out! The cattle-dealer accused him of having stolen his moneybag. The man denied it; there was a long investigation, and at last theyfound out that and a great many other things against him. He turns out tobe a regular rascal. And when all this had been proved against him, heturned round and accused another man, who, he said, was really at thebottom of everything; but no one knows yet who it is. Don't run so fast; Ican't keep up with you. Now you're out of it all right, Dietrich; but Isuppose you know that they tried to make out that you took the money, andthat was why you ran away. But I never believed it; I never did, on myhonor. Do stand still; it's all right now, and you needn't run away anymore. "

"I'm not going to run away, Blasi, and I thank you for bringing me thisgood news. But it's not all right you know, on account of Marx. "

"Marx!" cried Blasi, "what of Marx! it doesn't hurt a man to get a goodbeating. Marx is as lively as you or I, and still drinks more than enoughto quench his thirst, when he can get it. "

Dietrich stood still now, and drew a long breath. "Is that true, Blasi, really true? You wouldn't say it if it were not true? She wrote me thatthere was nothing to fear; but I didn't understand it. And I can't quiteunderstand now, Jost wrote me that Marx was dead, and that I had better goaway as far as I possibly could, because they were searching for me, highand low. I can't make it out. But I must go now for the doctor. Come andsee me to-morrow, Blasi; and we will have a good talk. Now good-night. "

Dietrich shook his old comrade by the hand and ran off. But Blasi couldnot so easily smother all the wonderful things he had to tell, and hecalled out at the top of his lungs, "You don't know much of anything yet! I spend the whole day at your house;it's you that will have to come to me. I am working at your trade; youought to see! there's many a fellow that would be glad to do as well as Ido!"

But Dietrich had disappeared. It was past midnight, before he reached thedoctor's house, and he knocked a good many times in vain. At last a maidcame down and opened the door, saying as she did so, "What a plague it is, that everything always comes at once! He has beencalled out once to-night, and has hardly got to bed again. It never rainsbut it pours!"

"I hope he will be so good as to come now;" said Dietrich, "it is veryimportant or I would not ask him. "

The maid knocked at the chamber door. It was some time before the doctor'svoice answered from within, "Who's there?"

"Dietrich from Tannenegg, " said the servant. 

"He back again? No, I'm too old and too tired for that. They ought to givehim a good beating if they can catch him; it would serve him right. "

Dietrich stepped up to the door himself. 

"It is not for me, doctor, " said he humbly, "it is for my mother; she isvery ill indeed. For God's sake, doctor, come and help her!"

"That's another thing altogether; she is a brave woman, who has been doingyour work for you, " said the voice from within the room. Pretty soon thedoctor came out, and when Dietrich described his mother's condition, hetook some medicines with him and started out. 

"I have no horse to use to-night; mine has done a hard day's work and musthave his rest. We shall have to go up the hill afoot. "

As they crossed the open space in front of the house, he continued, "I remember once how on this very spot once a little boy stood up in frontof me, and when I asked him if he would like some day to take care of ahorse, answered, 'No, I want a horse of my own. ' I thought he had a goodpurpose in view if he would only pursue it the right way. But it does notdo to want to begin by being a gentleman. First come work, and service forus all, then mastership may follow. Whoever tries to begin at the end, will end at the beginning; which is not a good nor an agreeable method. AmI right or wrong, Dietrich?"

"You are right, doctor. If one could only look ahead!" answered Dietrich. 

"Yes, that would help; but as we cannot, we must trust those who are ourfriends, and who have gone before us in the right way, and can show us theroad; like that noble woman to whom we are now going. "

When they entered Gertrude's room they found her asleep. The doctor satdown by the bedside, watched her awhile, and felt her pulse from time totime. Then he arose and turning to Veronica, he said, "I can do no good here; take care of her; she deserves all you can do, butthe lamp of life burns low, and will soon go out altogether. She has had ahard lot; trouble wears faster than years. "

With these words the doctor went to the door. He did not even glancetowards Dietrich, who threw himself on his knees by the bedside of hisdying mother, sobbing out:

"O God in Heaven, do not let her die! Let her come back! Let her have alittle comfort in this world! Punish me as I deserve, but oh! let mymother live!"

Gertrude opened her eyes. She grasped the hand of her sobbing son, whichlay upon hers, and held it tightly clasped; while she whispered softly:

"Yes, my Dieterli, pray, pray; if you can pray, all will come rightagain. "

She closed her eyes and never spoke again. The hand that held Dietrich'sgrew cold. Veronica, who had been standing behind Dietrich weepingsilently approached the bedside, took Gertrude's other hand in hers, andsaid between her sobs:

"Sleep well, dear, good mother! Yes, for you 'tomorrow will be fine';" andshe left the room. 

Two days later Dietrich followed his mother to her last resting place. There was no need to avoid meeting people now, for every one knew thatthe true thief had been discovered. But no hope was left to him in hishome. When he returned from the funeral, and went into the house, he knewthat he had no right there, for it no longer belonged to him. He went tohis room, strapped on his heavy knap-sack, and came down stairs. Veronicawas alone in the sitting-room. She stood leaning against the window, hereyes fixed on the church-yard beyond, where the mother lay sleeping. 

He entered the room. "Veronica, give me your hand once more. I am going, "he said, coming towards her. 

"Where are you going, Dietrich?" she asked in a voice that was whollywithout feeling; and the cold tone seemed to stab the young man's heart aswith a knife. "It is all one to her;" he thought. 

"I am going out into the world. I am going to work to pay my debts. I haveno home; and as there is no one on earth who cares for me, I can bear myburden better anywhere than here. "

"Then go, in God's name, " said Veronica, and she held out her hand to him. This was too much for Dietrich. He made one struggle for self-control andthen broke down completely. 

"Can you let me go so coolly, Veronica? not one kindly word for me? If Imight stay here with you, I would work day and night like the meanestservant; I would do anything and everything for you. But no! I must go! Icould not bear it! How could I stay and see you give yourself to some oneelse--I who have lost you, --lost you forever!"

The young man threw himself into a chair, buried his face in his hands, and cried like a child. 

Veronica was as white as snow. She went to his side, and laid her handupon his shoulder. 

"Dietrich, " she said softly, "if you feel in this way, why don't you askme how I feel, when I think of living on here alone when you have gone;when you have left me perhaps forever?"

Dietrich raised his eyes to hers. A look lay there, a look such as he haddreamed of in his banishment. He sprang to his feet, and seized her hand. 

"Veronica, can you love me? can you trust me?"

She did not withdraw her hand, and looked him full in the eyes. 

"I have always loved you, Dietrich, " she said, "and if I know that you canpray again to God, and promise to live a life acceptable to Him, I cantrust you too. "

The young man pressed her to his heart. "Is it true, is it possible?" hecried. "Oh Veronica, can it be true?"

But suddenly he started back, and said in a frightened tone, "No, I dare not. I cannot. Who am I? I am nothing; I have nothing, lessthan nothing; and I know what you are and how far above me. Jost wrote methat there was no hope for me. I wanted to make you so happy--I meant toget money and provide all sorts of beautiful things for you and to makeyou the happiest woman in the world. And now! now I am a beggar, and amiserable creature into the bargain. "

Veronica shook her head. 

"You do not understand what happiness really is, Dietrich. I have beensearching for it longer than you have, and you may believe me that it isnot what you think. It is not something at a distance, far beyond ourreach; we may find it while we are at work. We are not beggars; this houseis ours, and we can still live in it. But, Dietrich, we will try to findthe way that our mother went; that is the true way to happiness and peacein life and death. "

"We will, " cried Dietrich, with solemn joy; and as he clasped Veronicaagain to his heart, there was that in his face and in his voice whichassured her that he would never leave her again, and that they would walkin that true way of happiness and peace together. 

At this moment Judith burst into the room. When she saw the faces of thetwo who stood before her, she stood stock still with surprise! Sheimmediately took in the situation. 

"So! So! this is something that delights one's very heart!" she cried, andher face beamed with satisfaction. "But look out of the window! I came totell you! You can say good-bye to that rascal forever. "

They stepped together to the window which looked out upon the road. Jostwas just going by. His hands were bound together, and he was followed bythe Constable, who hurried him along. Jost looked up at the window andshrank back at what he saw; but the man drove him on. 

"What does it mean?" asked Dietrich and Veronica in the same breath, turning to Judith. 

"It is what was bound to come, " she explained. "Everything is found out. They seized the red fellow first, after I succeeded in getting it throughthe cattle-dealer's thick head that he was the man to get hold of. Whenthey had driven the red man into a corner, so that he couldn't lie himselfout of it, he turned against Jost, and declared that Jost had planned thewhole thing and that he himself had only played second-fiddle. Which canlie the worst, no one can tell, but that they are both reaping what theyhave sown, is certain enough. And now we're to have a wedding, are we? andour Dietrich is going to settle down into regular home life again. Welcome, neighbors; we will live in friendship together all our days. " AndJudith shook hands cordially with them both, and hastened away to spreadthrough the neighborhood the good news of the coming marriage. 

It is now ten years since Dietrich and Veronica left the church ofTannenegg where they had been made one, and the blessing had beenpronounced upon their united lives. They went first to the little churchyard and knelt by the new made grave covered with flowers. With tearfuleyes, and with sad regrets in their happy hearts, they said, "If she could only have lived to see us now!"

Today there is no more beautiful flower-garden in all Tannenegg, than thatabout Dietrich's pretty white house. Within the house all is so fresh andcharming from top to bottom, that one who enters it finds it difficult toget away again from its hospitable shelter. 

Dietrich has built a fine large work-room; and there he sits and works, industrious and happy, or he goes about his outside affairs in a steadybusiness-like manner. Often he has to go to Fohrensee and even farther;for his trade is prosperous beyond competition and his work is recognizedfar and wide as of unrivalled excellence. 

On Veronica's face lies such a sunshine of constant happiness as is goodto look upon. She has given up her position in the school at Fohrensee;her place is with her husband and children; but she does not for all thatsit with her hands in her lap; her orderly well-kept house, and herblooming well-behaved children bear witness to her faultless managementas well as to her care and industry, and at the great annual Fair in thecity, if any one inquires about some wonderfully fine and beautifulembroidery on exhibition, the answer invariably is, "that is the work ofVeronica of Tannenegg. "

Blasi is Dietrich's permanent assistant. He is constantly about the house, and is known in the family as Uncle Blasi. As soon as the day's work isover, and the evening sets in, his first question is, "Where are ourchildren?" He never speaks of them in any other way; they are his, his joyand pride. He has also a special claim upon them, for he and Cousin Judithare the god-father and god-mother of both. 

Blasi's favorite time is Sunday, when Dietrich goes to walk with hiswife, and gives over the house and the children to him. Then he sets uponone knee the chubby little Dieterli and on the other the black eyedVeronica, and they ride there as long as they please, no matter how highthe horse has to curvet and prance. And whatever else they want him to dofor them, he is ready to do, whatever it may be. 

There is only one Sunday pleasure that outweighs the knee-riding withUncle Blasi, and that is when Veronica takes her little girl in her lapand lets Dieterli press close to her side, as he does only when he is verymuch excited. Then the mother takes a little picture in her hand, thepicture of a red rose. Suddenly the flower opens, and a little verse ingolden letters appears. Every time this opens, it elicits a cry of joyfrom the children, and they are never tired of seeing the wonder repeated. And Veronica is never tired of repeating it; for the rose and the verseare so interwoven with her life that they recall many memories of joy andsorrow; and she often says to the children, "Some time when you are oldenough, I will explain this golden motto to you, and you shall learn it byheart. "

When Blasi and Judith are alone together, he likes to talk over old times, and he often reminds her that he had fully made up his mind to marryVeronica himself; and he always winds up with, "I want you to understand that I would never have given her up to any oneelse; but an old friend like Dietrich, you know;--of course it's a verydifferent thing with Dietrich. "

And Judith, laughing, answers, "Yes, yes, Blasi, you're quite right; it's a very different thing withDietrich. "

THE END.