014 1711

hegan to walk up and down. He gathered some of the gentians, and also some white and some yellow flowers which gleamed amid the grass.

“1 will give them to o Tertschka.” he murmured, casting a complacent glanee at his improvised bouquet.

At last he caught the gleam of o huht dress upon the hill. Some seconds atter he saw Tertschka descending the pathwav. He hastened to mect here = Here T oam, she said, out of breath. T have been able to ot away this time without hindranee.”

(reorge stood gazimg at her.

Her head was bare o the scart which she habitually wore was gone, and her thick har was parted simplyoon o her forchead. A crimson kerchiel which she wore around her neck cast a soft Aush upon her pale and her sober-coloured bodiee, large for her, muslin, were not unbecoming.

“How pretty you look 7 he said at last.

She cast down her eves and blushed.

“Take these flowers,” George continued. 1 oplucked them whilst T owas watting for vouL

She took the bouquet which he had until then held behind his back, and tried ) fasten it m her bhodiee, but it was too large, and so she continued to hold 1t m her hand, together with her rosarve "They went on to- wtl cr down the mossy path and on through the cornficlds, where the newly-reaped wheat stood in great sheaves of burnished gold.

cheeks, th(,)ugh too

At luwgth they reached the hamlet of Schottwem. They found it n a state ol cgreat anmimation. It was mass dav i the

long, wide street which composed the village was thronged with all sorts ot vehieles and with peasants clothed e their holiday gart, Opposite the church stalls were standimg, crammed with cvery kind of goods for sale m rich variety shawls of Uy colours. cotton handkerchicts, pipes, knives, glass bead neck- laces, imitation coral ornaments, were piled side by side with cooking utensils, ginger- Lread, and children’s toys.

lhu paused 1 cestasy before the grandeur of the sivht. George Tonged for a pipe. He wsed o smoke when a soldier. Now that he gained o living, and ncither drank nov gambled with his comrades, h: could wcll afford the luxury. He asked Tertschka’s advice, and she encouraged him to buy one. Whilst he made his purchase, Tertschka strolled on 1 advance,

Cieorge elhowed his way through the crowd of loalers who pressed around the stally, and

STRAND

and her striped petticoat of

MAGALZLNL.

hought o pretty poreelamm pipe, embellished with tassels and a silken cord.

A bnlliant necklace of amber beads caught his faney. Heimmagined how pretty it would look on Tertse hl\as neck. The stall-keeper askimg him but a moderate sum, 1t was soon wrapped mopaper and o his pocket. And next, out of the change of the florin which he had given m payment, George bought at o neighbourmyg stall o gingerbread cake the shape of o heart. He finally purchased some tobacco, and hastened on to join Tert- schka.

He began by showing her the pipe, which \h(' (ulmnul exeeec

“This s for you,” e added, holding out the gimgerbread heart. The heart was stamped o the centre with another heart. red, thrust with an arrow, and encircled with L carland of flowers.

She shipped 1t with o pleased smile of

cratification between her bouquet and her TrOSary. "1 have something clse for you,” he

continued presently, dummw the little packet slowly from his pocket, half opening it, and letting her see the wlc uming of the yellow l)u(ls She cast a m])ld upon 1it.

“How could you spend so much money on- me ? 7 she erred. But her face was all rosv with pleasure, and her ceves sparkled with 1nnocent jov.

“I0 T could only give you all desire e uplmd cmotion, put it on and see how 1t looks.”

She gave him her things to hold whilst she put on the necklace. But she could not succeed m fastening it

“Tet me do iy” sad George, cently the heavy masses of - han which clustered on her neck, he brought the two llll]L ends of the snap together.

“There ! he saird, examining her alook ol satisfaction.

They continued thenr voute and soon came in sight of the httle chapel standing n acluster of ITme trees.

Tertschka knelt down m the last row of bhencehes, and placed her flowers and ginger- bread helore her. George stood erect hehind her, He was much afu ted by that scene, so calm, so stull. .\ mellow light streamed down through the lofty arched windows. But

that | “But

and hiftmyg

with

he could not pray. His ceyes were fixed constantly upon that knecling figure with bowed head and murmuring hps l)d()l him.

The mass ended. The ])nut blessed the conuregation as they passed out @ but sull she knelt. A length she rose, and, followed