initial commit of ebook 14523HEADmain

6 files changed, 7544 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/14523-0.txt b/14523-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f6a080
--- /dev/null
+++ b/14523-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3569 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14523 ***
+
+SISTER CARMEN
+
+by
+
+M. CORVUS
+
+Translated from the German by KATE DYKERS
+
+New York
+The Minerva Publishing Company
+48 University Place
+
+1891
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+The first rays of early dawn threw their shadowy light over hill and
+dale, and all nature seemed animated with new life as the fresh spring
+breeze kissed the young blades of grain in the fields.  Ever brighter
+and more glowing grew the eastern horizon, ever more golden the light,
+floating clouds, until at last the dazzling rays of the king of day
+flashed forth upon the expectant world.
+
+With its clear carol of joy, a lark soared upward from her dewy nest,
+singing her morning anthem to the great Creator; and, as if in glad
+sympathy with the happy bird, the many and varied voices of nature
+united in celebrating the resurrection, not only of the sun, but of all
+things, for it was Easter Sunday morning.
+
+Forth from the dwellings of a small Moravian village issued a band of
+simply attired folk, who wended their way through the green fields and
+up the hillside to a spacious wood, where was located a quiet
+graveyard, in which gigantic linden-trees stretched out their leafless
+branches, forming a graceful network overhead.
+
+In the centre of this lovely spot stood an immense stone cross, the
+sign of that Lord whose resurrection was to-day celebrated with the
+sound of trumpets and the voices of the people.
+
+A feeling of holy joy seemed to reign in every heart, as the crowd
+stood grouped around the base of the cross, gazing with reverence at it
+as it now shone bathed in the glorious radiance of the risen sun.
+Presently the music ceased and the soft echoes died away among the
+distant hills, while a clear, manly voice in the midst of the
+congregation proclaimed: "The Lord is risen!"  "He is risen indeed!"
+replied each one joyously; after which the first speaker advanced
+nearer to the cross and addressed a few words to the people:
+
+"My dear brothers and sisters, in accordance with our usual custom, we
+visit to-day our beautiful cemetery, not to mourn for our dead, but to
+rejoice that our Lord has risen from the grave to give us eternal life;
+for with Him shall rise all those who follow in His holy footsteps here
+below.  Therefore, as we put not on the garb of mourning, let us not
+grieve in our hearts when we think of our loved ones who have gone home
+before us, but clasp each other's hands and be glad together, that
+through the blessed Redeemer such happiness has been vouchsafed to
+them.  For His sake, and for the preservation of the true faith, the
+Moravians wandered forth from their fatherland, forsaking the wealth
+and luxuries of this world; but they took with them that which was more
+precious than all else, the pure, unadulterated truths of the Gospel,
+and sought a new country, in which they might dwell, and preserve their
+religion forever.  In the wilds of a strange land they found a
+resting-place; and in the community were retained the old statutes and
+laws, the old forms of worship, the old brotherly love and kindness,
+which from the earliest period had characterized them.  From this
+little seed-corn which was then planted, the Moravians have spread out
+their branches into all parts of the world.  Let us remain faithful to
+the principles which united our forefathers; let us ever hold sacred
+the religion for the sake of which they suffered, and to which they
+firmly adhered, in spite of persecution and peril.  Hold fast brotherly
+love!  Forgive and bear with one another in love, sacrifice yourselves
+for love's sake, suffer and die, in charity with all men,--then are you
+true disciples of the Lord.  Amen!"
+
+The preacher's voice ceased, and the congregation devoutly echoed his
+"Amen."  After a short pause the assembly broke up, with hearty
+hand-shakings and joyful greetings.  In little groups of twos and
+threes they rambled through the beautiful grounds where the loved ones
+were laid to rest.  The members of the fraternity, as they conversed in
+low but cheerful tones, bore a close resemblance to one another in the
+quiet simplicity of their attire.  There was no pretension to ornament
+or style; cleanliness seemed the only adornment sought for, and it
+certainly did reign supreme.  The women and girls wore small,
+close-fitting white caps, the different-colored ribbons on them
+distinguishing the various classes, and giving a very pleasing effect
+to the scene.  The wives were recognized by blue ribbons on their caps,
+and the widows by white, while the older girls wore pink and the
+younger ones bright red.  Gradually all returned to their homes in the
+valley below, where lay the thriving Moravian village.
+
+One young girl, however, remained behind alone, lost in thought and
+quite unconscious that her companions had already taken their way
+homeward.  Leaning against one of the large linden-trees, whose ancient
+trunk completely screened her slim figure, she stood, looking downward
+on the beautiful landscape which lay before her admiring eyes.
+Mountain and valley, forest and field, were bathed in the golden
+sunshine.  Nothing was yet in bloom, but in every swelling bud there
+seemed to lie a foreshadowing of coming glory.
+
+"Sister Carmen, hast thou not noticed that thy companions have returned
+with their elders, and that thou art left alone?" suddenly asked a deep
+masculine voice at her side.
+
+She involuntarily shrank back, as if from fear--was it because she was
+alone, or was she only startled from her dreaming?--and looked timidly
+at the speaker.  He was a man well advanced in years; his hair
+partially gray, but his complexion retaining much of its youthful
+freshness and color; and there was some difficulty in determining his
+age.  Although his brow was thoughtful and his grave eyes habitually
+looked upward with an expression of calm serenity and humble piety, yet
+the curve of his mouth, around which there lurked a peculiar smile,
+contradicted the idea of sanctity.
+
+"Have they really left me, Brother Jonathan?  I had entirely forgotten
+how time was passing, in the tumult of joyful feelings which filled my
+heart," said the girl with a sunny smile.
+
+"It gladdens my heart, dear sister, to know it gives you such great joy
+to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord," he replied.  "Truly it is a
+blessed privilege to be able to lose one's self in the contemplation of
+holy things, and, forgetting the cares of this present life, rejoice in
+the hope of heaven, and be as one dead to every temporal joy."
+
+"But I was not thinking at all of the life beyond the grave, only of
+this present one.  How beautiful it is, and what happiness to be able
+to enjoy it!" she said candidly, as her youthful countenance lighted up
+with a glowing expression of love of life and pleasure.
+
+Hers was a singularly beautiful face, on which the man at her side
+gazed with open admiration.  The close-fitting cap, with its bright red
+bow, indicated that the girl had not yet reached her eighteenth year.
+Here and there peeped out little truant locks of the glossy black hair,
+whose richness and abundance the close covering could not entirely
+conceal or fetter.  The broad, intellectual brow; the delicate,
+pencilled lashes, from the shadow of which shone forth lustrous black
+eyes that flashed with intelligence and spirit; the arched nose, with
+its slightly dilated nostrils; pouting mouth, with full, cherry lips,
+all gave her something of a proud expression, which was, however,
+softened by the beaming smile which so often lighted it up.  Although
+only a faint color tinged her cheek, yet the clear, brunette complexion
+glowed with fresh, warm, young life, and the slender, lithe form that
+leaned with such childlike abandon against the old tree displayed the
+most exquisite symmetry.
+
+"Yes, this present life is certainly very pleasant, dear sister," he
+resumed, approaching yet nearer to her; and he indeed seemed to find it
+so as he contemplated this fair, blooming, delightful young creature.
+"We do wisely to enjoy it, and use it as a means to prepare us for the
+great hereafter, accomplishing that end all the more effectually when
+we love the Lord, and, through Him, one another.   Sister Carmen, did
+you listen to the beautiful discourse on brotherly and sisterly love
+which our honored presbyter gave us to-day?" and the speaker bent his
+head so low that she felt his hot breath on her cheek, and his heavy
+hand on her shoulder.  But quickly turning aside and withdrawing from
+his touch, she replied: "Yes, I heard it, and it is indeed a very good
+and proper thing to love one another; but I think it is not always love
+which is called so, or seems so;" and her mouth twitched with a
+repressed smile, as if some secret thought amused her.
+
+"Dear sister, how can you speak thus?" he said.  "Men, it is true, are
+weak, and often swerve from their duty; but we should help each other
+in the spirit of love, so that we may be all united and grow to
+resemble each other in character."
+
+"Resemble each other in character!"  She repeated his words musingly,
+and the gaze from her dark eyes wandered away off, beyond her
+companion.  "Can we ever do that?  God has created us so different; if
+He had wished us all to be alike, would He not have made us so?"
+
+The man looked at her earnestly, and an expression of disapproval
+passed over his face as he answered: "Any one, to hear you speak in
+that way, and not know you as well as I do, would never believe that
+you had lived so long among us and were one of us.  I have known you
+always, ever since you were a wee, toddling thing.  It was in Jamaica,
+when I went to your father from the mission."
+
+Carmen blushed deeply at the rebuke which lay in his words, and, as if
+to atone, said quickly:
+
+"Oh, forgive me!  I am sure I would gladly be like you all if I only
+could.  But I cannot always be calm and serene, as every one else here
+is; and I fear our dear Sister Agatha, with all her endeavors, will
+succeed as little in changing me, as you do in trying to produce the
+same degree of health in every one, even though you be the wise and
+learned Doctor Jonathan Fricke.  Each bird sings after its own fashion,
+and although all are different, yet none are bad.  I cannot believe
+every one is culpable who does not pass through life calmly and
+sedately, as we endeavor to do.  It surely cannot be wrong for people
+to laugh, and dance!  Dance!" and she laughed outright, so that her
+pearly teeth gleamed from between the rosy lips.  "It must be
+enchanting to skip round and round to the sound of merry music!"  She
+had allowed herself to be carried away by enthusiasm, and spoke louder
+than was consistent with Moravian decorum, or suitable to the place
+where she was.  Her eyes sparkled, and the dainty little foot which
+peeped forth from under her dress seemed altogether suited to trip with
+fairy fleetness through the merry mazes of the dance.
+
+One glance, however, at her companion recalled her to the present.  Her
+eyes sank, the little foot was hastily withdrawn, and she wrapped more
+closely about her the dark shawl which had slipped from her shoulders.
+
+"But the time! the time!" she stammered.  "It is getting later and
+later while we are chatting, and Sister Agatha will have good cause to
+be vexed with me."
+
+With fleet steps she hurried through the quiet graveyard, down the
+hill, and along the path which led to the dwellings of the settlement.
+Jonathan stood looking after her, as long as his eye could discern the
+airy, lithe figure.
+
+All pretence of calmness had vanished from his face.  His eyes
+glittered with a strange light and glowed with passionate desire.  For
+a moment the staid, elderly man was transformed into an eager, ardent
+youth.
+
+"She inherits the hot, proud Spanish blood of her mother, and, alas!
+the same fatal, enchanting beauty also," he muttered.  "If I could only
+win her--"  He stopped abruptly, as if fearful of being overheard, and
+began to brush away some imaginary specks of dust from his sleeve.
+Drooping his head into its usual pious attitude, his face assumed its
+former grave expression, and he was again the sedate, quiet Brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A Moravian settlement!  As we enter it, it seems as if we stepped into
+another sphere, so utterly unlike is it to the bustle and hurry of the
+age of progress which prevails in the outer world that presses so
+closely upon its borders, and against which it quietly but firmly
+opposes the bulwarks of its ancient customs, the simplicity of its
+regulations, and the severity of its discipline.  It has no intercourse
+with the tide of human life surging around it.  It seems like a small
+body of Christians, left from the Apostolic age, that after being
+buried for centuries has been dug out in later days.  The government of
+the community resembles that of a large family bound together by ties
+of love; all its members are brothers and sisters, divided, according
+to age, sex, and conditions of life, into bands called choruses, at the
+head of each an elder, either male or female, presiding and
+superintending its spiritual affairs and enforcing its daily
+discipline.  Each elder gives in a report of all that occurs in the
+chorus to the Conference, as this is the chief board of management in
+the society.  There is, therefore, nothing which transpires in the life
+of any individual that is not brought before this tribunal.
+
+About ten o'clock one morning, an elegant carriage, drawn by two
+spirited horses, passed through the quiet, scrupulously clean streets
+of the settlement, and drew up at the door of the hotel, or, as they
+call it, the general lodging-house; and from the vehicle sprang a young
+and very distinguished-looking gentleman with erect, military bearing
+and noble features.  He was followed by a lady, and a young girl of
+about twelve years of age, and a tall, lanky lad who had not yet lost
+his boyish awkwardness.
+
+"Unharness and take the trunk to the Sisters' house," said the
+gentleman to the coachman.
+
+The newly-arrived guests entered the sitting-room, which was entirely
+unoccupied, and whose clean, freshly-sanded floor seemed almost to
+shine with a consciousness of its own spotlessness.  The host, a quiet
+old man, entered to receive their commands, which he attended to in
+person.  Everything was done silently; not even the plates and glasses
+rattled as they were placed on the-table; and when all was prepared,
+the man left the room, not attempting, after the manner of hosts in
+general, to enter into conversation with his guests, or to ply them
+with questions as to whence they came, whither they were going, etc.
+
+The lady, a very remarkable-looking woman, was apparently the mother of
+the three others, but seemed young to be the parent of the eldest, who
+had evidently numbered thirty years.
+
+The breakfast, which was excellent and well served, was quickly
+disposed of; and dinner being ordered for two o'clock, the little party
+left the house.  On the street, the same stillness, the same absence of
+people prevailed as elsewhere.
+
+"Do you know the way to the Sisters' house, mother?" asked the young
+man of the lady as they led the way, the two younger ones following
+behind.
+
+"Of course, Alexander," she replied.  "I was here once, some years ago,
+on a visit to President von Karsdorf, and I can perfectly remember how
+full of interest the whole place was, and how pleased the Karsdorfs
+were to think they could end their lives in this peaceful, quiet spot."
+
+"Such extraordinary order and cleanliness seems almost like a matter of
+pride and show on the part of these humble people--as if the inner
+purity of their souls must needs be manifested in this extreme, outward
+neatness," said the gentleman, laughing.
+
+"You are prejudiced against the Moravian character, I know, and yet
+there is so much that is good in them!" argued the lady.
+
+"That may well be so, mother.  I am willing to acknowledge all their
+good qualities," said her son; "but these numerous forms which intrude
+themselves upon every occasion seem like fetters and bonds to free
+souls.  So much unnatural restraint and parade of sanctity is offensive
+to me.  I never could tolerate hypocrites, and such they surely must
+be, although, of course, they would be shocked at the idea; for under
+all this excessive humility, this parade of piety, I venture to say
+there lies much concealed of which we do not dream.  One can imagine
+how much Herr von Karsdorf, an old epicure and man of the world, must
+have dissimulated to conform himself to the manners of this community,
+to be allowed to end his days here."
+
+His mother shook her head.  "I think," she said, "that the subdued,
+pious bearing of the members has become like a second nature to them,
+and is now, therefore, not hypocritical.  Besides, think how excellent
+is the domestic economy of the settlement; how active and prosperous
+they are in trade and various industries.  They have many practical,
+temporal, as well as spiritual objects to which they devote themselves."
+
+"I grant all that; but such immense importance is attached to little
+things.  Their work would be very trifling and ridiculous if attempted
+on a large scale.  It resembles the wonderful industry in an ant-hill,
+unremitting and earnest, but petty labor.  No genius is displayed.
+What great men have arisen from among them?  Who are the distinguished
+scholars and artists which have gone forth from their ranks?"
+
+"And how about their sufferings?" interposed the other, quickly.
+"Their struggles amidst privation and misery, and persecutions of all
+kinds in distant lands, for the sake of their faith, and to rescue wild
+heathens from depravity and barbarism, and win them over to the
+Christian religion?  Do you not deem that a noble work?  Consider their
+admirable regulations as regards education; are they not excellent?  I
+look for the greatest improvement in Adele, as the result of her stay
+here.--But it seems to me I have turned into the wrong street, for the
+Sisters' house is certainly not here!"
+
+"Here come some people at last," replied Alexander--"a girl with a
+child.  They will be able to direct us."  He stepped forward to meet
+the approaching figures, and with a polite greeting begged for
+information.  The young girl dropped a modest courtesy to the stranger,
+and with downcast eyes listened to his inquiries about the way to the
+Sisters' house.  Then she turned to the lady, who had in the mean time
+drawn near, and said courteously: "I am just going hither; may I
+conduct you?"
+
+"You would oblige us exceedingly," replied the lady, kindly.
+
+"What a lovely Sister!  It wouldn't be such a bad thing to be a Brother
+here," whispered Alexander to his mother.  He did not speak too low for
+the sensitive ear of the girl to catch his words, for she blushed
+deeply, and the rosy little mouth curled proudly and defiantly.
+Visibly offended, she turned away from the gentleman, and simply saying
+"Come" to the lady, walked on ahead, leading the little child by the
+hand, and giving no apparent heed to the party behind.
+
+Retracing their steps for a short distance, they turned into a side
+street, and here--wonder of wonders!--were some more people.  A horse
+stood, saddled and bridled, before the door of one of the houses, and a
+man was just in the act of mounting.  He did not seem to be a
+particularly expert horseman, or his steed the most patient of animals;
+for the former displayed his awkwardness in attempting to mount, and
+the latter, as soon as he became aware of his master's intention,
+kicked, and sprang aside.  The man sought to quiet him, patted his
+neck, and once more tried the difficult task of getting on his back;
+but the sight of the approaching strangers now added to his clumsiness,
+and rendered him even more helpless than before.  He had scarcely put
+his foot in the stirrup, when the animal pranced, kicked and reared,
+jerking the reins from his owner's hands, and throwing him down on the
+pavement; after which he started at full speed down the street,
+directly towards the advancing party.  As soon as the horse showed a
+disposition to be restive, the girl had led the child close up against
+the side of the house, and looking back at the strangers following her,
+she observed an expression of contempt on the young man's face, as he
+watched the awkward movements of the Brother; being himself a skilful
+rider and able, with his supple yet powerful frame, to master even the
+wildest horse.
+
+When the man fell to the ground, and the unrestrained animal came
+rapidly onward, the strangers also moved hastily aside.  But the little
+child had, in its fright, broken loose from the girl's hand, and ran
+into the middle of the street to pick up a ball which had rolled from
+its hand.  A cry of horror broke from every lip, and in another moment
+the child would have been dashed under the horse's hoofs as she stooped
+to pick up the toy.  But before the girl could reach the little one,
+the strange gentleman, with one long stride, was on the spot, and had
+seized the child in his arms.  With a firm hand he grasped the reins,
+and brought the terrified beast to a standstill by sheer strength.  It
+all happened so quickly that, looking at the child playing merrily with
+its ball a moment after, one could almost have fancied it was all a
+dream.  The girl, who had turned as pale as death, was leaning against
+the side of the house; but quickly regaining her self-control, she
+hastened to her little charge, saying, with trembling voice, as she
+shyly glanced at its preserver, "I thank you, sir; you have saved the
+little one entrusted to me from great peril."
+
+The unfortunate rider who had been thrown now came limping up, and was
+profuse with his thanks to this "friend in need."
+
+There was such a very remarkable contrast between the two men, as they
+now stood side by side, that it struck the eye of every one present,
+even the young girl's.  The humble bearing and uncouth figure of the
+Brother looked decidedly unprepossessing compared with the tall,
+elegant form of Alexander, which, with all its agility and grace, was
+full of power, as if forged from steel.  Every muscle was still
+strained by the exertion just made; his face was flushed, his blue eyes
+sparkled with the fire of inward strength of will, and yet the
+expression showed no evidence of agitation, only quiet consciousness of
+power.  While he yet held the reins with his left hand, he assisted the
+other man, who finally succeeded in gaining the saddle.
+
+"A vicious animal, sir," said Alexander to the other, handing him the
+bridle.  "He seems to be skittish, and will not admit of any joking;
+spare the spur, and keep firm hold on the bridle until you are sure of
+yourself."
+
+Thus saying, he stood aside, and man and horse proceeded on their way.
+
+"And, now, if you will be so good, miss, please continue to be our
+guide," he said, turning toward the girl.
+
+They soon reached the Sisters' house.  "Ah, yes, this is the very
+place!" cried the lady, joyfully.  "Thank you most sincerely for your
+courtesy, dear child.  Will you kindly tell us which door to enter?  We
+gave notice by letter of our coming, and are expected.  I am Frau von
+Trautenau; these are my two sons, and this is my little daughter, whom
+I am bringing to stay here."  She offered her hand cordially to the
+girl, and looked kindly at her beautiful face.
+
+"I beg that you wilt enter this way, into the parlor," was the modest
+reply, as the maiden opened a door on the first floor.  "I will inform
+Sister Agatha of your arrival."
+
+It was not long ere the gentle Sister made her appearance.  She was a
+friendly, motherly-looking woman, on whose gray hair was placed a cap
+with a pink bow, the badge of the unmarried Sisters.  She greeted the
+visitors with dignified cordiality.
+
+"Forgive me for bringing my entire family, and allow me to present each
+member to you," said Frau von Trautenau, after the first words of
+welcome.
+
+"My stepson Alexander, captain of infantry, and my trusty adviser and
+support since my husband's death; my son Hans, and my daughter Adele,
+your pupil from this time forward, whom I commend most earnestly to
+your kindness and care."
+
+Sister Agatha took the child most affectionately in her arms, and
+pressing a kiss on her brow, said sweetly:
+
+"You must confide in me, dear child, as if I were your mother, and I
+will consider you a sacred trust committed to me.  We are all a large
+family of Sisters here, who love one another, learning cheerfully and
+working diligently.  'Pray and work!'  This golden proverb is our motto
+through the day, and the love and industry which you will see
+everywhere will soon teach you to feel at home among us."
+
+"I live, as you know, in the neighborhood," said Frau von Trautenau, as
+Adele looked up tearfully.  "Our estate, Wollmershain Grove, is only a
+few hours' ride from here, and sometimes, if I drive in, you will, I
+suppose, allow Adele to visit us for a little recreation?"
+
+"Oh, certainly, Frau Von Trautenau," returned Sister Agatha--"in
+vacation.  May I now show you our apartments and arrangements, so that
+you may know exactly how your dear little girl will be situated?"
+
+"I shall be delighted," replied the lady.  "Everything here interests
+us, of course, in the highest degree."
+
+With that, they all rose and followed the sister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+"We require a great deal of room," explained Sister Agatha, as they
+passed along, "as there are separate apartments, not only for the
+pupils, but also for the unmarried Sisters of our community, who are
+not members of a family and yet live and work here with us.  Indeed,
+even those who have families in the outside world often come to us to
+employ their unoccupied time."  So saying, she led her guests from the
+first floor to the second, and from one room to another.  Everything
+was neatly and simply arranged.  The modest dress of the Sisters, with
+their little white caps, their calm diligence in spite of the
+exhilarating air of this bright morning, their quiet gait and subdued
+voices, the deep silence which pervaded the house, gave one the
+sensation of being in a cloister.  Sister Agatha conducted the party
+into the general workroom.  It was built like a deep hall.  At long
+tables sat numbers of girls with every variety of countenance; all
+young, not quite grown, gathered in separate groups, busy with
+needlework or writing.  The elder ones seemed to supervise the younger
+and instruct them in their work.  Amongst these was the girl who had
+acted the part of guide to the strangers.  All rose at the entrance of
+the visitors, and after a moment silently resumed their seats.
+
+"Here you see the children of our members, and our dear pupils, all
+together.  They are sent to us from the most remote colonies and
+missions to be educated, and they very soon learn to consider
+themselves one with us.  Dear Sister Marie," said Agatha, turning to
+one of the girls, "please tell Frau Von Trautenau where you were born."
+The child addressed, a little girl with olive complexion and keen black
+eyes, arose, like a piece of machinery, on being spoken to, and
+replied: "At Paramaribo, in Surinam," and dropped back into her seat.
+
+"And you, dear Sister Genevieve?"
+
+"At St. Jean, in the West Indies."
+
+"And Sister Sarah?" "At Sarepta, in Russia, in the province of Saratow."
+
+"Sister Jacobi?"
+
+"At Batavia, in Java."
+
+"Sister Carmen?"
+
+Similarly to all those called before, Carmen rose also, when Sister
+Agatha mentioned her name; but it seemed an involuntary motion, as if
+in obedience to a command, and then, after a second's hesitation, she
+at once resumed her seat.  During the entire proceedings her glance had
+wandered with painful eagerness, now to Frau von Trautenau, now to her
+eldest son, and had remarked how this questioning of the girls had
+seemed to amuse them.  At last, when her name was called, a deep blush
+suffused Carmen's lovely face, and she could not summon courage to
+answer.
+
+"Dear Sister Carmen!" repeated the Superior, as if she thought Carmen
+had not heard the first call.
+
+"Oh, please---" now interposed Frau von Trautenau, endeavoring to
+assist the girl when she saw her painful confusion.  She stroked back
+from Carmen's brow the curly locks which had escaped from under the
+edge of the little white cap, saying: "Never mind!  I can fancy, from
+her pretty name, that her cradle was rocked in Spain, if not in a still
+more distant and beautiful clime.  Is it not so, dear child?"
+
+There was so much delicate consideration in the tone and manner of Frau
+von Trautenau towards the embarrassed girl that Carmen, with an impulse
+of sincere gratitude, bent over her friendly hand and kissed it.
+
+"Yes, it is so," She said, looking at the lady, with her dark eyes full
+of childlike innocence.  "I was born in the beautiful West Indies, on
+the island of Jamaica."
+
+"Have you been here long?"
+
+"Oh yes, a very, very long time.  I was sent here when only nine years
+old, to be educated, my mother having died some time before; and my
+father left Jamaica a year after I did, to go to the East Indies.  I
+have not seen him or heard from him once since then."
+
+Carmen said all this in an undertone, and her voice trembled, as if
+full of suppressed tears.
+
+"Poor child!  how sorry I am for you!" said the lady, affectionately,
+taking Carmen's hand and pressing it tenderly.  She felt such a deep
+sympathy for the lonely girl that she quickly added: "Since you know so
+well what it is to be separated from loved ones, will you not try to
+interest yourself a little in Adele?  She will perhaps find it
+difficult at first to reconcile herself to this new life."
+
+"Gladly, with all my heart, if your daughter will confide in me!"
+replied Carmen with joy.
+
+A stroke of the clock, which sounded loudly through the quiet house,
+announced the hour of the midday meal.  The girls rose at once from
+their places, and Frau von Trautenau took leave of Sister Agatha,
+taking her daughter with her.
+
+After the departure of the guests, the girls left the room; and as
+Carmen passed Sister Agatha, the latter laid her hand on the girl's
+shoulder, saying gravely, but not unkindly:
+
+"Dear Sister, I would like to speak with you; on your return from the
+love-feast which we celebrate this evening, come to my room, and I will
+have a talk with you."
+
+Carmen looked calmly into the serious eyes of the speaker, where she
+read no small degree of secret dissatisfaction.
+
+"Yes, Sister Agatha, I will come."
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+No apartment could be more simply furnished than that of Sister Agatha.
+It seemed as if she wished to excel in her avoidance of anything like
+unnecessary ornament or comfort.  Three chairs, a table, an
+old-fashioned sofa, a writing-desk, and a chest of drawers formed the
+scanty furniture.  The walls were whitewashed and bare, while at the
+windows were hung plain white curtains.  Above the desk was placed the
+solitary ornament of the room, the watchword for the day.  These
+"watchwords" are texts of Scripture printed on cards, one for each day
+in the year, and distributed to every member of the settlement, so that
+all may meditate upon it, and guide their daily lives by its precepts.
+
+Sister Agatha sat at one of the windows; and with her, his chair drawn
+back into the shadow, out of the bright afternoon sunshine, sat Brother
+Jonathan Fricke, talking in his calmest and most deliberate manner, "It
+seems to me, dear Sister, that the healthy give you more anxiety than
+the sick."
+
+"Because they are the more difficult to help than others; and although
+your visit is principally to the sick, I should like to have your
+advice regarding the case of one in my charge, and whose father was
+your dearest friend."
+
+"You are anxious about Carmen's worldly-mindedness; but ought you not
+to be indulgent, dear Sister, and remember that the child's early
+associations are still holding sway in her heart, and make great excuse
+for her?  Brother Mauer, you remember, went away from the mission to
+his plantation, where, although he did not sever himself from our
+communion, there was not much to remind him of his religious
+obligations.  His last wife, a hot-blooded Creole, could not be
+considered much help as regards keeping the faith.  She loved best to
+swing herself into the saddle and gallop away over the plains.  She
+would sing her glowing Spanish songs to the accompaniment of the
+mandolin; or else she would dance like a fairy, her foot scarce seeming
+to touch the floor as she floated along, to the sound of the tambourine
+played by her old negro duenna.  She was too beautiful for him to
+restrain, in dancing, riding, or anything.  Too beautiful!" he
+repeated, becoming more and more enthusiastic.  "I have seen her often,
+when summoned to the plantation on professional duty as a physician;
+and there was little Carmen, always with her mother, and following her
+in everything.  She learned to dance and sing in true Spanish style,
+and she seemed to feel all the beauty and fascination of it."
+
+Suddenly he paused, as if becoming conscious of his unwonted animation
+under the wondering gaze of Sister Agatha's grave eyes.  Heaving a deep
+sigh, he had again recourse to his old trick of brushing an invisible
+speck of dust from his sleeve, and then continued in the orthodox,
+placid manner:
+
+"It was a fearful sin for a member of our faith to fall into, and
+Brother Mauer should have resisted the temptation.  I spoke to him
+frequently about it, but he had lost all power of self-control.  He was
+too much absorbed in love for his wife, and therefore it was a mercy to
+his soul and Carmen's that this Spanish girl died, and the child was
+placed here, under our discipline, where she may yet be won over to a
+spiritual life," he concluded, and cast a humble, sanctimonious look on
+Sister Agatha.
+
+"Where were you when her mother died?" asked the Sister.  "Were you
+with her?"
+
+"No; she has been dead about ten years, and I left Jamaica some time
+before that, as my health could not stand the climate.  I went from
+there to the northern part of the United States.  From Bethlehem, where
+I remained several years, I went back to the old place, and when I got
+there Carmen was a wee little maiden, and I was told that Brother Mauer
+had left Jamaica for the East Indies."
+
+"Well, surely the Lord called him to be His instrument," interrupted
+Sister Agatha.  "It was wonderful how he was seized with such an
+irrepressible desire to be a missionary.  And as far as we can know, he
+has worked without flagging for the faith.  All news from him has
+ceased for some time now; and is it not strange that he has never made
+any application for money?  He took only a very small sum with him when
+he went on his mission, and the large sum which the sale of his lands
+in Jamaica brought is still in a bank in this country."
+
+"Has he, then, left nothing for Carmen?"
+
+"We receive a certain interest from the money, for her support and
+education," replied Agatha, "but it is, comparatively speaking, very
+little.  The money must have accumulated to an immense sum by this
+time.  If her father is dead, Carmen must be a very wealthy
+heiress--another temptation for her, poor child!  It is strange we hear
+nothing from Brother Mauer.  I feel sure he must be dead--died while
+working for his Lord!"
+
+As she spoke, Jonathan's eyes flashed, and he suddenly lifted his head;
+but remembering where he was, he immediately resumed his usual pious
+bearing, and, when Agatha ceased speaking, said, with something like a
+sigh:
+
+"He was my friend!"
+
+A pause ensued, during which he seemed lost in reflection.
+
+"It does seem as if we have lost him," he continued, "and Carmen must
+be an orphan.  Poor child!  Bear so much the more leniently with her,
+dear Sister; and if from time to time you observe signs of her early
+training, and that her impulses carry her sometimes beyond what is
+quite becoming, remember she will find in me a guide who is ever ready
+to lead her in the right way."
+
+"Truly, you are still the same faithful friend to her father, for you
+have so much consideration for his child," said Agatha, deeply
+affected.  "But believe me, dear Brother, I also love the girl with my
+whole heart, and am the more anxious for that reason, lest her natural
+inclinations may lead her into error.  But to whom shall I direct her
+for guidance, if not to the dear Lord Himself?"
+
+"Surely, my Sister, you say well; and therefore it would be better for
+her to have a helpmate ever at her side, who would remind her of her
+holy calling," returned Jonathan, earnestly.  "Next week she will be
+eighteen years of age, and will then be numbered among the marriageable
+sisters.  It would certainly be the best thing for her to have a
+husband; therefore seek one for her, Sister Agatha; and if you and the
+assembly of elders can find no one better, then will I, for the sake of
+her welfare, give up the freedom of my single life and take her to
+myself, to be to her a faithful protector and husband, for the glory of
+God."
+
+While speaking, he had risen nervously from his seat, and leaning one
+arm on the back of the chair, uttered the last words hastily, as if
+impelled thereto by a sudden overwhelming emotion.  His eyes were fixed
+on the floor, only once in a while looking furtively up, as if to watch
+the effect of his words.  But the Sister's open countenance showed only
+a joyful surprise.
+
+"You would really sacrifice yourself for Sister Carmen's benefit?" she
+cried.  "How can I do otherwise than approve, dear Brother?  You, the
+pious, wise, experienced physician, full of love and kind forbearance
+towards her, and knowing so well, all the while, what is for her good!
+Where in all the wide world could she ever find a better counsellor and
+guide?"
+
+"Nay, say not so, Sister Agatha," he interrupted reprovingly.  "No
+sinful creature deserves such praise; least of all I.  None of us are
+more than humble instruments for good, and have no merit at all of
+ourselves."
+
+"Yet, my dear Brother, we cannot but recognize the good in others,"
+replied she in a gentle tone.  "And I say no more than the truth.  If
+every one as worthy as you had only a portion of your modesty!  The
+sick long for you and praise you as their benefactor; the well welcome
+you everywhere as a friend and adviser.  Let me thank you for offering
+yourself to Carmen, for you have done so with true kindness and love.
+After the feast this evening, I will communicate your proposal to the
+elders; and if they consent to it, then, afterwards, I will speak to
+Carmen on the subject.  I have notified her to come to me, without
+reference to this matter, as I want to make some inquiries about her
+behavior this morning.  But now it is the hour for evening prayer."
+
+She arose, and extended her hand to Jonathan, who returned its hearty
+pressure.  Never had his manner been more humble than it now was as he
+left the room.  But when the door was closed behind him, he stood quite
+still for a moment, and the disagreeable expression of his mouth was
+greatly enhanced by the smile of triumph which lit up his countenance.
+
+"Ah!" he exclaimed under his breath, "beauty and wealth; they will
+indeed compensate for the past."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+When Frau von Trautenau, with her family, entered the spacious
+prayer-room, to be present at the love-feast, the mass of the
+congregation had already assembled, and were singing to the
+accompaniment of the organ.  The lady accepted the places assigned to
+her and Adele by Sister Agatha, but Alexander and his brother took
+possession of an empty bench near the door.
+
+The room presented a strange appearance for a place of worship.  It was
+destitute of any ornament whatever.  The altar, which was at one end,
+consisted of a simple wooden table, on which stood a large crucifix.
+The brothers and sisters sat at long tables covered with white linen;
+but, as usual, the sexes were seated apart.  Each member was served
+with a small cup of tea and a little bun.
+
+After a while the music ceased, and a long prayer by the principal
+elder followed after which another member read a letter from one of
+their missionaries, Joseph Hubner, who was at work in the land of the
+Kaffres.  This letter presented a touching picture of humble
+self-sacrifice and sincere devotion.
+
+Alexander felt deeply moved, and forgot the strange mixture of
+religious exercises and temporal enjoyment which this feast displayed.
+Absorbed in listening, he did not observe that, in his immediate
+vicinity, a singular commotion had arisen, and that a good deal of
+whispering was carried on among the Brothers, as they regarded him and
+Hans with curious glances.  After the reading of the letter another
+hymn was given out; then Hans nudged his brother.
+
+"What is there so peculiar about us?  Everybody is gazing at us so!"
+
+Alexander glanced about, to see if anything was wrong, but could
+discover nothing amiss.  They had quietly and politely partaken of the
+feast when it was offered to them, yet something must be wrong to
+create such a sensation; so he turned to some one sitting near by, with
+the question:
+
+"Are we depriving any one of this seat?"
+
+"Oh no, indeed, my dear sir," he replied.
+
+"So much the better," said Alexander.  "We do not wish to cause any
+inconvenience and I began to fear we were doing so."
+
+"I must ask your pardon," stammered the Brother, with much confusion.
+"It was certainly very rude for us to stare at you so, and yet it was
+the result of the deep sympathy we feel for your brother, who seems so
+young to be a widower."
+
+Alexander gave a searching glance at the speaker, to see if he was
+ridiculing his brother.  Hans a widower!  In spite of his tall stature,
+he showed very plainly that he was but an overgrown schoolboy.
+
+"A widower, sir!" said the young man, slowly.  "My brother is only
+sixteen years old, and is still at school.  In the world we do not
+marry at that age."
+
+"It did indeed seem very strange to me," said the good man, in extreme
+embarrassment; "but being seated among the widowers, we judged it must
+be so."
+
+The two brothers almost laughed out loud, the position was so
+ridiculous.
+
+"Then we are both in the wrong place--my brother as well as I!  You
+must pardon our ignorance of your customs.  I saw the men and women
+sitting apart, but never imagined the widowers had a particular place
+for themselves.  Tell us, pray, where we can sit to be among unmarried
+fellows like ourselves."
+
+"Nay, my dear sir, remain where you are.  The love-feast will soon be
+over.   Brother Daniel, who leaves us to-morrow, to help Brother Joseph
+among the Kaffres, has only to take leave of us before we disperse."
+
+While he was speaking, the whole assembly arose, and one among them
+stepped forward.  He first advanced to the Sisters, and shook hands
+with each one; then passing over to the Brothers, the parting kiss was
+given and received.  And he who thus bade farewell, ere he followed
+Brother Joseph, to share his struggles and hardships, far away from
+civilized life, was the identical awkward, ungainly-looking Brother
+who, in the morning, had made such an unsuccessful attempt at riding.
+
+There is always an intolerable feeling of moral defeat when we see a
+man, whom we have regarded with contempt rise into importance by his
+own merit.  A noble mind at once acknowledges the fact, but a mean
+spirit feels only resentment and spite, with a sense of defeat.
+
+Something like a feeling of shame came over Alexander, as he closely
+regarded the man whom he had inwardly despised, but who now seemed like
+a hero in his eyes.
+
+Seated at the table, opposite to him were the young sisters and pupils
+belonging to the educational department, and among them Adele, seated
+not far from Carmen.  As Alexander casually looked up, he met Carmen's
+sparkling eyes, which seemed to cast on him a look of triumph, as if
+she understood his feeling of humiliation which this moment brought to
+him as a consequence of his contemptuous manner in the morning.  He
+thought he could clearly read in her expression what she fain would
+have said: "You may perhaps ride well, and he cannot; you were not
+afraid to stop the wild horse and save the child's life; but would you
+have the courage to undertake what he has been appointed to do?"  As
+their eyes met, she returned his glance unflinchingly and firmly, but
+he could not prevent his eyes from falling before hers.
+
+Meanwhile Brother Daniel had, in his rounds of leave-taking, approached
+those near to Alexander.  When he reached the latter he hesitated a
+moment, having recognized the person who had come to his assistance in
+need, and a flush of embarrassment suffused his gentle, almost
+effeminate, countenance.  But Alexander, bending down quickly, pressed
+a kiss on the man's cheek, saying heartily: "Farewell, and good luck go
+with you!  Believe me, I thoroughly admire your courage."
+
+The Brother looked at him in surprise, and answered: "Thank you very
+much, sir!" and passed on.
+
+When Alexander again looked toward Carmen, her eyes were moist with
+unshed tears.
+
+"How beautiful that girl is!" thought he.  "What an independent, frank
+spirit speaks from her eyes; what a lovely expression hovers around her
+mouth!  She is like a dazzling star among these quiet people,--as if
+she had strayed away from her own orbit and found herself here,--so
+little does she seem fitted to her surroundings in the little circle in
+which she moves.  I wonder if she is happy here.  A large-hearted,
+generous nature cannot be content to submit to all these restrictions.
+No, she resists them.  I saw that to-day.  But she will never become
+like the others, and pass her life, in quiet submission, by the side of
+a man such as Brother Daniel, for instance."
+
+The leave-taking of the Brother being ended, the congregation received
+the general blessing and dispersed.  The moment had now come when Frau
+von Trautenau and her sons must part from Adele, and many were the
+tears shed on the occasion.
+
+The night grew late; the lamp was lighted in Agatha's room.  Presently
+a gentle tapping was heard on the door, answered by a kindly "Come in."
+
+Carmen entered; and when Agatha, raising her eyes, recognized the girl,
+she put aside her spectacles, and said gently: "Come nearer, dear
+Sister; I was expecting you."  She drew up a chair, but Carmen put it
+aside, and kneeling by Sister Agatha's side, said:
+
+"No, Sister, let me remain here and hear what you have to say, for you
+are going to chide me--I am sure of it."
+
+"Carmen, do you believe I love you?" she inquired.
+
+"Surely," answered the girl, quickly.  "More than any one else here."
+
+"Then you know that my heart grieves when I cannot feel satisfied with
+you," continued the Sister.  "Why are your thoughts constantly dwelling
+on worldly things, and why do you allow yourself to be overcome with
+pride, instead of putting your mind on serious matters, and being more
+humble?"
+
+"You are angry with me, Sister Agatha, because I did not tell from what
+distant land I came.  That is not such a dreadful crime," said Carmen,
+cheerfully.
+
+The serious countenance of the Sister grew yet more grave, and she
+looked severely at the kneeling figure.
+
+"Have you, then, not thought of the text for to-day?" she asked
+reprovingly,
+
+Carmen flushed up quickly; she tried to compose herself, but was for a
+moment at a loss what to say.  She had during the past day been through
+such new experiences; whereas, heretofore, every day had been pretty
+much the same.
+
+Sister Agatha waited patiently for Carmen to become calmer.  At last,
+when she seemed to have forgotten her confusion about the text, Agatha
+said: "Now tell me the watchword."
+
+When the maiden's eyes turned to the usual place for the motto, her
+thoughts seemed to cease wandering, and she repeated the verse
+correctly:
+
+"'Feed Thou Thy people with Thy staff.'"
+
+"Remember, my Sister, the purport of those words.  'Thy people' are
+those who belong to Him; 'with Thy staff' means, with the support of
+His strength.  Carmen, how can the Lord guide you with His staff, if
+you do not bow your will before Him, and try to curb your pride?"
+
+Carmen, as she knelt, had rested her elbows on Sister Agatha's lap, and
+thus supported her head on her hands, while she gazed into the
+speaker's face, thinking earnestly of what she said.
+
+"Do you call it pride, and are you vexed with me because I would not
+tell to strangers what was indifferent, or perhaps amusing, to them?
+Oh, Sister Agatha, is it necessary that we expose ourselves to the
+derision of the world?  We do not serve God by doing that.  And when
+you speak of pride, is it not that very feeling which leads you to
+boast of our having come from so many and such distant lands?  Do you
+not wish to demonstrate by that means how your faith has penetrated
+into all parts of the world?  That is, after all, pride under the garb
+of humility."
+
+Sister Agatha was deeply touched, and remained silent for a moment;
+then rising hastily, she said with a stern manner: "Do not confuse
+trifles with grave subjects.  All that we do, even the weakest, is for
+the Lord's glory and praise, and not our own.  What matter if the world
+scorns us?  If we are the Lord's, He is with us, and we care for naught
+else.  Search your heart, dear Sister, that you neglect not the
+salvation of your soul.  Accept for yourself a helper and guide, so
+that your feet may not stray from the right path.  There is one, whom I
+know, is now ready to offer himself to you, than whom none is, more
+steadfast in the faith.  Brother Jonathan Fricke, the faithful friend
+of your father, honors you most highly when he desires to have you for
+his wife.  To-day he explained to me his wishes on the subject; and the
+elders, to whom I have spoken, give their cordial consent to the
+alliance."
+
+At Agatha's words Carmen grew deathly pale, and listened with wide-open
+eyes.  When the Sister ceased speaking, she sprang up, and turning from
+the gentle eyes which sought hers, said passionately:
+
+"But I will not have him for my husband!"
+
+"Carmen, my dear, you will not have Jonathan for your husband?  You do
+not know what you are saying," cried Agatha.
+
+"Yes, I do, Sister Agatha," answered Carmen, quickly, her large
+lustrous eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.  "Do you know how you
+feel when you come in contact with a reptile, a snake?  When I was a
+little girl, on my father's plantation, I saw one day, under an
+aloe-tree, what I thought was a green twig; and when I grasped it, it
+was a cold, clammy snake, which, in a moment, twined itself around my
+arm.  I could not scream for terror; but Sarah, my mother's faithful
+slave, saw it.  She tore the viper from my arm, and flung it far away,
+among the bushes.  Sister Agatha, when Brother Jonathan comes near me,
+I feel the same shiver go through, and the same feeling of horror
+almost paralyzes my limbs.  I could not endure to have him near me
+always.  I could not say to him, 'My husband'--no, not for all the
+world!"
+
+Carmen grew more and more excited as she went on.
+
+"Perhaps not for all the world," interposed Agatha; "but for your own
+salvation you must do it.  Do not thrust the safety of your soul from
+you in this way.  As Brother Jonathan's wife, you will be a partaker of
+his holy life and good works.  We are not put into this world to please
+ourselves, but to further the progress of the kingdom of God."
+
+"Oh, Sister Agatha, believe me, I will become a nurse for the sick, and
+bear all the hardships and trials of such a vocation; only spare
+me--spare me this one thing!  I cannot give myself to Brother Jonathan.
+You must not--you dare not require it of me!" cried the girl, bursting
+into tears.
+
+"No, Carmen, I will not compel you, although it grieves me for your
+sake," said Agatha.  "Go, now, and on your knees examine your heart,
+lest you may refuse that which is intended for your greatest good."
+And kissing Carmen, she dismissed her.
+
+The hours wore on, and still Sister Agatha remained lost in thought,
+wondering what new ideas had been put into that young head.  "Perhaps
+she was right.  Vanity and pride!  How frightful the words sound!  We
+never know ourselves as well as we do others; so, after all, the child
+has given me a good lesson.  I must look into my own heart more
+thoroughly, and be more severe with myself, before I presume to advise
+and guide other people.  Lord, help me to a right knowledge of my duty
+to Thee!"
+
+She extinguished the light, and sought repose from her anxieties.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A week passed quietly by, and the excitement caused by Brother Daniel's
+departure had given place to the usual monotonous religious routine.
+During this time things had gone badly with Adele.  Self-control and
+obedience were things entirely new to her, and she felt by no means
+attracted towards the young girls about her, always excepting Carmen.
+The predilection which her mother had shown for the latter had quickly
+communicated itself to the daughter, and Carmen, in return, feeling
+that she could never be sufficiently grateful to Frau von Trautenau for
+her kindness, showed every possible favor to Adele.  This young lady's
+naturally vivacious and merry disposition, which was not at all subdued
+by the calm seriousness which surrounded her, proved a great source of
+amusement to Carmen.  She gladly reciprocated the warm affection
+lavished upon her by the petted heiress, and every letter which reached
+Wolmershain teemed with the pleasure the two friends took in each
+other's society.  Adele told how Carmen had passed her eighteenth
+birthday, and now wore pink instead of red; how Carmen had undertaken
+to teach some of the English classes, and how all the girls loved their
+new teacher, etc., etc.
+
+Carmen's natural cheerfulness had not been disturbed by the
+communication Sister Agatha had made to her in regard to Brother
+Jonathan.  The morning after, Sister Agatha asked if she had considered
+the matter well, and prayed over it; to which Carmen answered in the
+affirmative, but persisted in her positive refusal; to which Brother
+Jonathan submitted with apparent calmness.  If he felt at all
+mortified, he certainly exerted immense self-control, for he seemed the
+same as usual, and his voice was clear and firm; so that Agatha felt
+sure that it was only his great unselfishness which had prompted him to
+entertain the idea.
+
+His profession took him frequently to the Sisters' house, but when
+there he had intercourse only with the nurses and patients.  'Tis true
+he now came oftener than formerly, and at more irregular hours, on the
+plea of looking after this or that which he had forgotten; but as he,
+with silent tread, passed along through the halls, he seldom met any of
+the Sisters, and Carmen never.
+
+To-day had been rainy and wet, but towards evening the sky cleared up,
+and Carmen led little Frieda home from the school-house.  On her return
+she took a roundabout path, and slackened her usually fleet steps to
+enjoy the fresh, balmy spring air.  She passed into a lonely lane,
+bordered on either side with beautiful gardens, whose hedges were
+unfolding their first blossoms, filling the air with sweetest perfume.
+As she stooped to pick some lovely violets which peeped up from the
+wayside, she, all at once, felt as if some one was standing behind her,
+although no footfall had reached her ear.  She raised herself hastily
+from her stooping posture, and as she did so, felt a man's strong arm
+passed around her, and in another second she was pressed violently to
+his breast.  She strove to cry out for help, but voice and tongue
+failed her, as she turned and met Brother Jonathan's burning glance;
+and there seemed to thrill through her, under the touch of his arm, the
+same creeping, numbing horror that she felt when the snake coiled about
+her arm.  But how changed he looked!  His whole countenance seemed
+lighted up by a new expression, and eager, passionate words poured from
+his lips.
+
+"Carmen, so young, so warm-hearted, why can you not respond to a love
+which is offered to you with all the intensity of a true heart?  You
+see in me only the grave, elderly man who wants you for his wife, and
+therefore you reject him.  But, Carmen, under this calm exterior you
+will find an ardent lover, who desires to win you, that he may make for
+you a heaven on earth, and fill your life with such unutterable bliss
+as you have never dreamed of.  Oh, Carmen, do not say me nay; but lay
+your lovely head upon my breast, and believe that my heart throbs
+wildly and deeply for you only.  Look in my eyes, and let the love you
+read there serve to kindle a like feeling in you.  Have you forgotten
+that we must love one another, we Brothers and Sisters?  Give me your
+love, then, my darling, and say you will be mine!"
+
+Rendered powerless to move by his pitiless embrace, she seemed like a
+little bird doomed to death by the irresistible fascination of a
+serpent.  Quickly, passionately, his hot breath scorching her bloodless
+lips, he kissed her again and again.  With a sudden powerful effort she
+tore herself from his arms, retreated a few steps, and turning on him a
+countenance ablaze with scorn and indignation, she cried:
+
+"Back, villain!  How dare you venture to insult me thus?  Approach one
+step nearer, and I will cry out so that heaven and earth will fly to my
+succor."
+
+She stood before him, so proud and haughty, so intensely excited, that
+he dared not venture farther.
+
+"I will not approach you again, Carmen, if it displeases you; and
+forgive my violence just now," he pleaded earnestly.  "But promise to
+give yourself to me, Carmen; you are not by nature cold; you will, you
+must return my love.  Let me teach you what real happiness is; you may
+imagine it, but you cannot come near the reality."
+
+The girl was silent; this antipathy to Jonathan was as old as her
+memory.  In Jamaica he had been an object of aversion to her, yet she
+could give no definite reason for this deeply-rooted dislike.  Every
+one spoke so highly of him that she often blamed herself for not
+feeling more kindly towards one who enjoyed the respect and esteem of
+the whole community.  His piety and temperate habits, his humility and
+devotion to his work, were conspicuous even here.  Of late, he had been
+particularly friendly towards Carmen, which seemed a very natural
+thing, he having been such an old friend of her father's.  But his
+increased kindness only awoke a greater dislike in the girl, so that
+she tried in every way to escape an avowal from him of his feelings.
+She did not consider her refusal to marry him a matter of much
+importance, as she concluded his offer had arisen only from a desire to
+transfer his friendship from the father to the daughter.  His
+unexpected outburst of passion alarmed her, although in her childish
+innocence, she did not fully understand why she felt so deeply
+insulted.  The thought that he had given her a love which she could not
+return made her fearful of hurting his feelings in some way beyond her
+comprehension, and she endeavored to subdue her anger sufficiently to
+answer him.
+
+"Forgive me if I wound you, Brother Jonathan, but I cannot help it.  I
+do not love you as you desire, and I neither deserve nor wish that you
+should have such a warm feeling for me."
+
+"Carmen, you surely cannot mean what you say.  I have taken you by
+surprise.  Calm yourself, and do not make this a final decision."  He
+attempted to approach her again, but the maiden shrank back from him in
+terror.
+
+"I cannot do otherwise," she said firmly.  "Now let me, I pray, go on
+my way in peace.  Sister Agatha must be waiting for me."
+
+At the mention of the Sister's name, Jonathan gave an anxious glance at
+Carmen.  It flashed on his mind what fearful consequences might result
+from his conduct.  He remembered the law of the Brotherhood, which
+required that the members must report the slightest departure from
+strict morality in any one of their number, so that the delinquent be
+reprimanded and excluded once or twice from the monthly celebration of
+the Communion.  Should he give evidence of repentance, and return to
+the right path, he might be restored to his usual privileges; but if he
+should not acknowledge his fault, he must absent himself from the
+society of others, and, in an extreme case, be banished from the
+Brotherhood.
+
+Brother Jonathan, heretofore so strict, and spotless in his reputation,
+to be publicly accused and admonished!  What an appalling example of
+fallen greatness!
+
+At the mention of Agatha's name, he endeavored to resume his habitual
+calmness.  He passed his hand over his eyes, as if to blot out the
+remembrance of the passion which yet burned within him, and gradually
+regained, in voice and manner, a more collected mien.
+
+"You have seen, dear Sister, how our passions sometimes get the mastery
+over us, and how vain are our efforts to subdue them, even though we
+have devoted ourselves to a religious life!" said he, in an humble
+tone.  "If you cannot give me your love, you can at least be silent
+about my feeling towards you, and forget what has just occurred, and
+for which I shall ask pardon from Heaven."
+
+Carmen looked at him, with a feeling of pity.  She had brought so much
+trouble to this man that the thought of it did much towards dissipating
+her ill-will towards him.  With tears in her eyes, she said: "Be easy
+about that, Brother Jonathan.  I will not betray you.  Forget this
+hour, as I will try to forget it."
+
+Then turning away, she hurried, as fast as her feet would carry her, to
+the safe shelter of the Sisters' house.
+
+From this time forth, Carmen's peace of mind was gone.  Her aversion to
+Jonathan was outweighed by her fear of him.  His hot, ardent nature had
+broken bounds so violently and ungovernably that she could not feel at
+all sure it was so quickly subdued.  A deep sense of desolation, came
+over her.  Her mother, lying in the grave, far away on a sea-girt
+island, under a tropical sun; her father, in all likelihood murdered,
+and buried in some foreign land; and she living among strangers, with
+whom she found it utterly impossible to feel any congeniality!  She
+avoided Brother Jonathan, and he seemed to shun her no less
+assiduously.  He had absented himself from one Communion; explaining
+his conduct by expressing an unusual sense of his own unworthiness.
+His calculations were well made: Carmen pitied him sincerely on account
+of the deep remorse he seemed to feel.  How could her pure mind imagine
+it was all hypocrisy!  In the house where he lived with the other
+unmarried Brothers, he maintained the same pious, serious demeanor as
+heretofore.  His patients received the same care and attention as
+formerly, but he looked haggard and care-worn, and Thomas, his faithful
+attendant, whom he had brought with him from the New World, would often
+hear him groan heavily in the night, as if some secret grief preyed on
+his mind.
+
+Carmen could not witness his misery unmoved.  Since the unfortunate
+incident connected with him, her life among the Sisters had become
+doubly oppressive to her.  Like a welcome release from her unpleasant
+surroundings came a request from Frau von Trautenau that Sister Agatha
+would permit Adele and her dear Carmen to spend Whitsuntide with her at
+Wollmershain; an invitation which Agatha gladly accepted for her pupils.
+
+Wollmershain was a large, beautiful estate, which, upon the death of
+its owner, had become the joint property of Adele and her brothers; and
+Frau von Trautenau had resided there since her widowhood, and proposed
+to continue doing so until one of her sons should buy his sister's and
+brother's portion and assume the management of it.  The relations
+between Frau von Trautenau and her step-son had always been of the most
+happy and agreeable kind; he honored and loved his step-mother, who had
+brought him up with the greatest possible care and affection; and she,
+in return placed implicit confidence in his opinions and advice, making
+him her chief counsellor since her husband's death.
+
+Into this beautiful home-life Carmen now entered, as if into a new
+world.  Whereas, the affection between the Brothers and Sisters in the
+"community" had always appeared to her in the austere light of a duty,
+here it seemed like a natural impulse, springing spontaneously from the
+depths of warm and loving hearts.
+
+In all the arrangements of the house and grounds, the idea of the
+beautiful, in connection with the comfortable and useful, was
+everywhere prominent.
+
+The lofty, well-lighted rooms, adorned and furnished with elegant
+simplicity; the smooth green lawns, bordered with lovely flowers of
+every hue; the magnificent avenues of grand old trees, and the
+innumerable, lovely little nooks to be found here and there in the
+park, all breathed a charm which reminded Carmen of what she dimly
+remembered about her father's plantation and hacienda in Jamaica.
+
+Alexander and Hans were also at home for the holidays; and while Adele
+rambled with the latter through park and garden, Carmen, who shyly
+avoided Alexander, was entertained by her hostess, to whose warm
+motherly nature the girl was attracted with genuine, childlike
+heartiness.  It was indeed her society, more than anything else, which
+contributed to Carmen's happiness at Wollmershain, for she felt
+embarrassed in this new kind of life; and the remarks which her
+peculiar dress occasioned were especially annoying.  To avoid being
+conspicuous, she had already laid aside the white cap; but her beauty,
+enhanced by the coils of glossy hair which crowned her queenly little
+head, was so remarkable, so foreign-looking and striking, that she
+seemed like some rare exotic which, in all the luxuriance of its
+loveliness, had been transplanted from the land of palms to our colder
+soil.  There was in her manner an odd mixture of pride and humility,
+dignity and modesty, which gave her all the reserve of a woman and the
+winsomeness of a child.  Perhaps it was the knowledge of the fact that
+the peculiarities of the Sisters elicited so much ridicule from the
+world that caused her to use her pride as a defence and a weapon, when
+in company with any one save Frau von Trautenau.  She always seemed
+ready to do battle with Alexander, and yet he had never by word or deed
+given cause for such a feeling.
+
+"She is full of pluck and mettle like a thoroughbred horse!" said old
+General von Bergen, who, with his daughter and his adjutant, had come
+up from the barracks on a visit.  "It is a pleasure to provoke her; her
+eyes light up so.  Pohlen," he said, turning to the adjutant, "you
+seemed to be unfortunate in your remarks to her during dinner; those
+lovely lips curled as scornfully as if you had seriously offended her,
+and her great eyes glowed like fire, as she looked away off, over your
+head."
+
+The gentleman addressed laughed as if amused.  "And yet I only ventured
+on some complimentary speeches.  I asked if all the Creoles were as
+beautiful as herself.  That was surely flattering enough, and I think
+this little Moravian ought, by this time, to possess some of the
+humility they pride themselves so much on, and not toss her head so
+haughtily and look at me so contemptuously."
+
+The gentlemen were comfortably smoking in the veranda, after dinner;
+and Alexander, who sat on the steps, half hidden by a large
+syringa-bush in full bloom, flushed deeply at Pohlen's words.  In a
+sharp tone of reprimand, he said:
+
+"My friend, Creole is a term which is not at all agreeable to some
+people; for the rest, flattery is often another name for insult;
+perhaps the young lady considered yours as such."
+
+"Do you think so?" drawled out Pohlen.  "That is altogether a new thing
+to me.  A lady of higher quality would at least have known how to
+receive homage offered to her; and a second time I will not put up with
+a rebuff from this Moravian girl, but will treat her as she does me."
+
+Alexander colored with anger, and his blood boiled.  It was only by a
+powerful effort that he controlled himself sufficiently to answer in a
+tolerably calm voice:
+
+"A lady of higher quality?  Higher quality presupposes greater merit,
+and you will do well to bear in mind, Herr von Pohlen, that this lady
+is my mother's guest, and, as such, is under my most special
+protection.  Any mortification or insult inflicted on her is also
+inflicted on me."
+
+"Gentlemen, I beg the conversation may not become serious, but retain
+the bantering tone in which I began it.  Let what has been said lead to
+nothing unpleasant," interrupted the general, in a pacifying manner.
+"Herr von Pohlen will, of course, remember what he owes to the inmates
+of this hospitable mansion.  You two fortunate knights must vie with
+each other as to who shall win the favor of this young maiden, who is
+as beautiful as a dream.  For myself, I lament nothing so much as my
+sixty years, which prevent me from entering the lists with you."
+
+Alexander rose as the old man finished speaking, and as he passed down
+the steps, said:
+
+"If agreeable, let us find the ladies now, General; they are, I think,
+awaiting us on the lawn."
+
+He paused abruptly, for at the foot of the steps stood Carmen, as if
+irresolute whether to advance or withdraw.  She had evidently heard the
+foregoing conversation, for she was very pale and trembled slightly.
+The young officer descended quickly toward her, as she raised her head,
+and calmly waited for him to pass.  As he came up to where she stood,
+she whispered softly:
+
+"I thank you!" and a gentle glance from the beautiful black eyes
+thrilled him with pleasure.  Then seeing the other gentlemen preparing
+to descend also, her face became suffused with blushes.
+
+"I came to find a cushion for Frau von Trautenau," she remarked
+confusedly.
+
+"Allow me, Fraulein Carmen, to take it to my mother," said Alexander,
+coming to her assistance; and he ran back, upstairs, as she hastened
+away.
+
+Games were now arranged on the lawn, and Fraulein von Bergen, a merry
+maiden, soon had every one actively engaged in them.  There were
+familiar ones, which Carmen had often played at school with the
+day-pupils; but how different they seemed here, when the gentlemen took
+part in them!  Carmen could never have been as unrestrained as the
+general's daughter; but she laughed merrily and enjoyed it all,
+contenting herself with allowing Adele to catch her, and carefully
+avoiding any contact with the others.
+
+After a while a drop of rain fell, then another, and at last a hard
+shower drove the party from the open air into the drawing-room; but the
+spirit of merriment had been aroused, and sitting down quietly was not
+to be thought of.
+
+"Come, papa, lead out your war-horse to the front!" urged the general's
+daughter; and the old gentleman good-naturedly seated himself at the
+piano and began thrumming the one, solitary piece he could play--a
+lively galop.  Herr von Pohlen seized Fraulein von Bergen, Hans his
+sister, and the two couples went whirling through the mazes of the
+dance.
+
+Carmen looked on with sparkling eyes; a bright flush of happiness
+colored her cheek, her little foot involuntarily beat time, and her
+lithe form swayed to and fro with a dreamy, rhythmical movement.
+
+"Will you not dance also?" asked Alexander, close beside her.
+
+"Oh, I would like to, above all things!" she replied with a lovely
+smile, her eyes still fixed on the dancers.  "How delightful it must be
+to whirl around so!"
+
+"Will you not try it with me, Fraulein Carmen?" he urged pleadingly.
+
+"I cannot dance; at least, not like that!" she returned, turning her
+beaming countenance towards him.
+
+"Oh, it is very easily learned; just trust yourself to my guidance.
+Put your hand on my shoulder, if you please, and with my arm I will
+hold you firmly as we move around;" saying which, he proceeded to put
+his arm about her waist.  But she drew back, and gave him a horrified
+look.  As yet, no man's arm had encircled her--except Brother
+Jonathan's, during that one dreadful moment of her life.
+
+"I cannot do it--no, it is quite impossible!" she stammered.
+
+"Then you must pardon me for making the attempt," said Alexander, and
+bowed coolly.
+
+"Refused!" whispered Pohlen, mockingly, when he stopped dancing, for he
+had seen Alexander's defeat.
+
+"Yes; but as she knows _how_ to refuse, it is perhaps more to be
+appreciated than when others accept," he replied.
+
+When the family separated for the night, and Carmen had as usual given
+her hand to her hostess, Adele, and Hans, she hesitated a second, and
+then, with a burning blush mantling her cheek, extended her hand to
+Alexander.  Heretofore she had persistently avoided him; but to-day he
+had proved himself her friend and protector, and she felt that some
+reparation was due him for her rudeness in the past.
+
+As she held out the little hand, and wished him "Good-night," she gave
+him a pleading glance, as if to say, "Do not be angry with me!"
+
+His countenance lighted up with surprise and pleasure.  Her eyes, so
+fascinating when flashing with indignation, now seemed irresistible
+when moistened by a gentler emotion; and as he looked into their dark,
+unfathomable depths, he felt as if he would like to gaze forever.  But
+her eyes fell before his ardent glance, and bowing low over the
+proffered hand, he kissed it respectfully, feeling as honored as if a
+queen had allowed him the privilege.
+
+From this night Carmen's intercourse with Alexander assumed a much more
+friendly character; but was, of course, very brief, as only two more
+days remained ere the pleasant party at Wollmershain would be broken
+up, and Adele and Carmen return to their duties.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"Dear old home!  At last I see you again!" exclaimed a lonely
+traveller, as he stood leaning on his staff, and viewed the scene
+before him.  He took off his hat, and folded his hands as if in silent
+thanksgiving.  Footsore and weary he seemed to have paused here to
+refresh himself with the sight of a place so dear to him.
+
+There lay the little Moravian settlement, bathed in the soft glow of a
+summer sunset.  Bright clouds reflected a golden radiance on the
+pointed roofs and windows, and trembled on the bosom of the little
+stream, which, with gentle murmur, flowed at the stranger's feet.  The
+dark shadows of the hills extended down into the valley opening on his
+right, and from the evening mist peeped out the old mill, which he
+remembered so well.  On the meadows around the alder-pond, the evening
+fog wreathed itself into fairy forms, and the fragrance of new-mown hay
+was borne on the breeze.
+
+It was a lovely, peaceful picture, and seemed to affect the man very
+deeply.  And yet he had been in the midst of far grander, more sublime,
+more beautiful scenery than this!  He had crossed the ocean, and
+revelled in the contemplation of its grandeur.  He had dwelt under
+tropical skies, palms and magnolias shading his home, and the boundless
+riches of the West Indian world poured out at his feet.  He had looked
+upon the sacred waters of the Ganges, and gazed in wonder on the
+temples of Benares; had traversed "the home of the snows" on the
+Himalayas; and the ice crown of the Dhawalagiri had frowned on him,
+gigantic and mystical, as he sojourned in the green valleys below, rich
+with banana-groves and rice fields.  He had wandered over Mongolian
+steppes, and the stars of heaven had watched over him as he lay in the
+tent of the nomad; but never, through all, had the yearning for home
+been quenched within him.
+
+"Home!"  How the word recalls long-lost memories!  The mother's gentle
+smile, the father's loving word, as when, in childhood's happy hours,
+we sought the beloved shelter at evening, and betook ourselves to
+innocent slumbers; and, although the child grows to be the gray-haired
+man, yet the sweet memories of peace and love never fade from his
+heart.  What changes life brings to us!  Thirty years ago this worn,
+weary traveller emigrated to the New World.  Then he was young,
+courageous, filled with all the bright hopes which a new life spread
+out before him.  What happiness he had known since then; what sorrow he
+had passed through; and ah, what guilt and remorse he had borne!
+
+And now he was back again--the tall, erect form so bowed down.  Was it
+sorrow, guilt, or exhaustion from the journey?  The once sunny locks
+were white as the snow on the mountains; in the large blue eyes alone
+there were still some signs of his former self remaining.  "Here is the
+dear old place at last!" he murmured to himself, and his bosom heaved
+with suppressed emotion.  The longer he gazed, the more difficult he
+found it to control his feelings, until finally he gave way, and wept
+like a child.
+
+Meanwhile the brilliant hues of sunset had faded away, and with the
+approaching shadows of night the wind rose and played around the
+stranger's hoary head.
+
+"It must be about nine o'clock now, the hour for evening prayer, and
+everything will go on just as in the old days, for there is nothing to
+create a change here.  I will go in, and ask if my child yet lives; and
+if so, there may be one to rejoice at my return."  Thus soliloquizing,
+he put his hat on again, slung his wallet over his shoulder, and
+supporting himself on his stout staff, approached the house.  Very few
+changes had occurred since he had left.  A few new houses had been
+erected, but the old ones remained unaltered, even the one where he had
+formerly lived.  He had inherited it from his father, and had carried
+on the linen trade there until he left with his first wife for the New
+World.
+
+The congregation were returning from the chapel.  Here and there a
+group would gather before one or other of the dwellings, to enjoy the
+mild summer night; and as the old man passed along he greeted a Brother
+or a Sister, and they returned it kindly, but like strangers.  No one
+recognized him, although many looked after him curiously as he
+staggered feebly on towards the Sisters' house.
+
+"That is not the Brothers' house, dear Brother," said a young man,
+addressing him.
+
+"Yes, I know it.  But I know where I am going," he replied, as if
+pleased to find the different roads so familiar to him.  Then he pulled
+the bell at the Sisters' door, and requested to speak with Agatha.
+
+He was ushered into the sitting-room, and as Sister Agatha entered,
+recognized her at the first glance.
+
+"Sister, does Carmen Mauer still live, and is she here?" he asked,
+trembling with intense suspense.
+
+The speaker must once have been a very handsome man.  He bore evidences
+of it to-day, although deep sorrow and bodily as well as mental
+suffering had set its seal on his face and left deep furrows there.
+The burning suns of many climes had bronzed his skin, so that the
+large, clear blue eyes shone forth like stars.
+
+Agatha looked at him inquiringly, and the more she looked the more
+perplexed she became.  "Carmen lives here in this house," she answered,
+at length.  "Can it be possible that you are--"
+
+"Brother Mauer, who you have thought was dead ages ago," he replied
+falteringly.
+
+"Heaven be praised!" cried Agatha, and sank into a chair.  The surprise
+was almost too great for her; but regaining her self-control in a
+measure, she cordially pressed his outstretched hand, and led him to a
+seat, saying: "Let me go and bring Carmen at once, and you shall clasp
+your child to your heart without delay."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Sister Agatha lost not a moment.  "Rejoice, dear Carmen," she said.  "A
+Brother has just arrived who brings intelligence that your father still
+lives!"  And with a most unwonted excitement in her manner, she led
+Carmen to the door of the sitting-room.  Tremblingly the girl entered,
+and saw by the clear light of the lamp an old, bent man who had, at
+this moment, no power to rise to his feet, but could only stretch out
+his longing arms to his dearly-loved daughter.  The next moment she lay
+sobbing on his breast.  The child had not forgotten the sweet
+expression of those eyes, and she read in the dear features the fact
+that she was not an orphan.
+
+"Father! my dear, dear father!"
+
+His eyes bedewed her brow with tears of joy as with loving tones he
+murmured again and again: "My child! my darling!"  In her warm embrace
+he again felt the happiness which had been denied him during so many
+weary years.  After a little while, he gently turned her face up
+towards him, and examined her features.
+
+"Just like Inez!  You are your mother over again, as I first saw her
+under the palms and fell in love with her.  In you I have found both of
+my lost ones!" he said, and he smiled through happy tears.
+
+"You will stay with me now, dear father?  You will never leave me
+again?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Yes, I will remain here, Carmen, in the dear old home, where I have
+come, a worn-out pilgrim to rest."
+
+"Poor father! how much you must have endured, working so far away from
+us all!  You have been all alone, no one to succor or help you; and
+nothing has been heard of you for so long; all efforts to find you have
+proved useless," said Carmen, as she lovingly stroked the withered
+cheek.  "You had vanished so utterly that they all gave you up as dead;
+only my heart could never believe it.  Why have you never sent us any
+tidings?"
+
+"I did indeed send some, my child, but they never reached you.  I was
+on the banks of the Ganges at the time, but shortly afterwards I went
+farther into the country, towards the north, attempting to penetrate a
+defile in the Himalayas.  There the savages seized me and made me a
+slave.  For years I have served in the most menial and degrading
+capacity; my tired back often bruised with their lashes, and only the
+stony ground on which to rest.  At length I escaped on horseback, and
+succeeded in reaching the Mongolian steppes.  There I have been
+wandering about, with various tribes, for two years; have tended their
+flocks and performed the commonest labor; all the time trying to teach
+them the Gospel.  But only the spirit of unrest reigned within me, and
+an intense longing impelled me to turn my face homeward.  So I took my
+staff and passed on foot through Siberia, into Russia, begging my way
+from door to door.  I, who possess hundreds of thousands!  Finally I
+reached Sarepta, ragged and barefooted, and almost dead from
+exhaustion.  There the Brothers wanted me to remain with them, to be
+nursed and cared for; but this uncontrollable longing did not suffer me
+to tarry.  After reaching Europe I felt as if I was on the threshold of
+home, and I grew more impatient than ever.  I obtained a loan of money
+from the Brothers, and was thus enabled to ride the rest of the
+journey, and get some suitable clothing; but I sickened on the road and
+was forced to lay up in a Polish town, where I remained until nearly
+all my money was gone.  Afterwards I was again obliged to travel on
+foot--and here I am.  Now all will go well, since I am again at home,"
+he concluded, smiling contentedly at the last thought.
+
+Sister Agatha had, meanwhile, brought refreshments for the weary old
+man.  What a heart-felt joy, this first meal with his daughter in the
+old familiar room!  And how much he had to relate, while regaling
+himself, of wonders and adventures in distant lands!  It was very late
+when, strengthened by the good cheer, and comforted by the presence of
+his child, he bade good-night to Carmen and Sister Agatha, and betook
+himself to the lodging-house to seek repose.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+"Have you heard the news?  Brother Mauer, whom we thought dead and
+buried, is here!" passed from lip to lip in the settlement the next
+morning.  The wonderful event occupied every mind, and filled the
+Brothers and Sisters with amazement.  But no one except Carmen had seen
+him as yet.  He had slept until near noon, recovering some of his lost
+strength, and his daughter had sat quietly watching by him during the
+whole morning, so that his first waking glance might fall on her.
+Afterwards they took breakfast together in his room, each recounting
+the occurrences of the past years, and drawing happy plans for the
+future.  He proposed to buy a house in the settlement, and Carmen
+should keep house for him, nothing but death ever separating them again.
+
+Carmen's heart grew light as a bird.  She was so delighted to have her
+father restored to her--so happy in the security of a love which would
+always shelter and protect her!  It would shield her even against
+Brother Jonathan's love, which was so abhorrent to her; and she took
+counsel with herself whether or no it would be best to tell the old man
+all the terror she had suffered a short time before.  Truly a promise
+of silence had been given; but ought she not to make her father an
+exception?  She could not see clearly what was the right thing to do,
+and therefore resolved not to mention Jonathan at all.
+
+The latter had gone on a short journey a few days previously, and she
+would thus have time to consider the matter, and wait for some quieter
+hour in which to make her disclosure.
+
+In the afternoon, when service was held in the chapel, everybody
+hastened thither, intent upon seeing Brother Mauer, and hearing about
+his mission work and adventures.  He sat among the widowers; devoutly
+singing, his eyes cast down, as if he felt that all eyes were gazing
+upon him.
+
+When the hymn was ended, the principal elders and teachers came up to
+Mauer, greeting him with cordial hand-shakings, and leading him, with
+words of hearty welcome, to a more prominent seat, from which he could
+address the congregation.  He bore himself with a firmer carriage
+to-day, and the dignity of his tall figure was more conspicuous than on
+the evening before.  With a happy smile, he let his glance roam over
+the assembly of Brothers and Sisters, many of whom were unknown to him;
+indeed, the large majority were strange, yet he held each and all dear,
+as forming a part of his home surroundings.  As he passed up the aisle,
+between the two elders who conducted him, the door of the chapel
+opened, and a tardy member entered.  It was Brother Jonathan Fricke.
+His manner was even humbler than usual, and his eyes wandered
+restlessly around: perhaps he had heard of Brother Mauer's arrival, and
+was looking for him.  In the centre of the aisle, which was filled with
+people, he met the three men.  Jonathan's glance fell on the tall form
+of his old friend; he stretched out his hand, and said in a low voice:
+
+"Do the dead rise, Brother Michael?"
+
+Mauer shrank back at the words; and as he recognized the speaker he
+grew deathly pale, his eyes dilated with an expression of horror, and
+he staggered forward.
+
+"You here?" he asked hoarsely, and fell to the ground.
+
+A general confusion ensued.  It seemed but natural that the numerous
+greetings should have exhausted the over-weary traveller; and then the
+reunion with his old friend--it really had been too much for his
+strength, and the general feeling of sympathy grew deeper.
+
+As they carried him away Carmen, followed to his room; and after long,
+untiring efforts the old man at last began to revive.  Carmen begged
+that she might be left alone with him, so that when he came fully to
+himself he might be undisturbed and see no one but her, at the same
+time declining all offers of medical assistance from Brother Jonathan.
+
+The girl seated herself by the bedside; and when her father opened his
+eyes, she noticed he looked anxiously around and then whispered:
+
+"Child, who was that I last saw in the chapel and who spoke to me?"
+
+"Do not trouble yourself, dear father.  It was only your old friend,
+Jonathan Fricke," replied Carmen, soothingly, holding his hand in hers.
+She felt a shiver run through him as she mentioned the name.
+
+"I did not know that he was here," he said with a groan.
+
+"Can I help you in any way, dear father?" his daughter asked.  "Are you
+in pain?"
+
+He shook his head in reply, and lay quite still, with closed eyes.
+After a long time he looked again at Carmen in a troubled, sorrowful
+way, and sighed deeply.  "Tell me about him," he murmured.  "I thought
+he was still in Bethlehem, in America; how came he here, and how long
+has he been among you?"
+
+She told him everything, save the one horrible incident that haunted
+her memory.  His extreme agitation made her silent on that point.  When
+she ceased speaking, all was silence in the apartment except the soft
+ticking of the clock.  Occasionally a deeply drawn breath reached
+Carmen's ear; her father had turned his face to the wall, and was so
+quiet and motionless that she hoped he had fallen asleep from
+exhaustion.  Suddenly he began to whisper to himself:
+
+"The old, old story, which will never die!  The idea of home, with its
+sweet repose and calm blessedness, was only a delusion after all!"
+
+"What do you mean, father?" asked Carmen, bending over him.  He closed
+his eyes wearily; and she noiselessly resumed her seat near him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+The next day Mauer was still so entirely unnerved and overcome by the
+events of the day before that it was with the greatest difficulty he
+rose from the bed; and yet it was intolerable misery to remain there.
+All Carmen's persuasions were of no avail; he insisted on getting up
+and dressing; but was quite unable to leave the house, and required the
+most perfect quietness.  She tried to divert his mind, by gentle,
+cheerful conversation, from the sad, gloomy thoughts which seemed to
+oppress him.  It made the girl's tender heart ache, as she looked into
+his unutterably sad face, which only yesterday was beaming with such
+great joy.
+
+At ten o'clock Jonathan came to pay a friendly visit.  Fortunately
+Carmen, who was standing at the window, saw him coming across the
+street towards the house, and warning her father of the approaching
+visit, she could see how he started with terror at the information.
+But he soon controlled himself, and said in a resigned tone: "Let him
+come in.  The sooner I get through all the meetings and greetings, the
+sooner I will have some rest.  I must grow accustomed to seeing him,
+and I feel stronger to-day than yesterday.  I have not seen him before,
+since your dear mother died, Carmen, and life has been one long
+unbroken sorrow since then."  She made a movement to leave the room, so
+that the meeting between the friends should be private, but Mauer held
+her back and pleaded: "Stay with me, my child," as if he could not bear
+to have her out of his sight.
+
+When Jonathan entered, he stood for a moment near the door, and his
+eyes sought to read the expression of the sick man's face.  The latter
+sat with his head resting against the sofa-cushion, and his deep-sunken
+eyes fixed beseechingly on the visitor, as if saying, "Spare me!"
+
+"Good-morning Brother Mauer!" cried Jonathan.  "Are you feeling better
+to-day?"  He held out his hand, into which the other placed his
+hesitatingly, and would have quickly withdrawn it had not Jonathan held
+it fast as he said:
+
+"Let me feel your pulse.  You are still very much fatigued, and your
+hand is as cold as ice."
+
+"Thank you, Brother Jonathan," said the invalid; "I think perfect rest
+is the best remedy.  I have borne many heavy burdens, dear Brother,
+which have weighed me down intolerably; and now that the Lord has led
+me home again, let your pity and sympathy be with me on account of all
+I have suffered."
+
+"Certainly, Brother Michael; it cannot be otherwise.  Your return has
+been a matter of great rejoicing with us all," replied Jonathan.  "But
+I must give you a prescription, that you may gain your strength more
+quickly.  Do not talk too much to-day; some time, later on, you must
+give us an account of your travels."  With these words, he turned to
+Carmen with a searching look, as if to divine how far he might trust to
+her silence.  She purposely avoided his eye, and remained standing at
+the window.
+
+"I will make your father well again, if you will be kind to me in
+return," he said with emphasis.
+
+Then she was compelled to turn and speak.  This man ruled her, in spite
+of her dislike.
+
+"If you can do anything for my father, Brother Jonathan, you will
+please not consider me in the matter, but do it for God's sake and your
+own," she replied calmly.
+
+He drew a chair up to the table, and, seating himself, wrote a
+prescription which he handed to Carmen.
+
+"Have that prepared at once, dear Sister," he said, "and give it to
+your father according to the directions; it will benefit him very much.
+You know, Brother Michael, my remedies are very powerful."  A peculiar,
+sarcastic expression played around his mouth as he spoke, and Carmen,
+whose quick eye perceived it, wondered what he was ridiculing.  Was it
+her anxiety about her father, or was it the old man's weakness?  But it
+came and went like a flash, and he resumed his usual manner as he rose
+to leave, saying to Mauer: "Adieu, Brother.  May the Lord keep you and
+give you a speedy recovery!"
+
+"I will have the medicine prepared at once, father," said Carmen,
+heaving a sigh of relief as the door closed behind the physician.  But
+when she looked at the old man, a chill of anguish struck through her
+heart, for she saw how he had clasped his hands before his face, to
+hide the big tears which were trickling between his fingers.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+Many days passed quietly away after Jonathan's visit.  Carmen's
+soothing, cheering influence seemed to have somewhat allayed her
+father's nervousness, and a calmer, more equable mood seemed to have
+come over him, as his state of health daily improved.  But the nameless
+shadow of a hidden grief seemed to hang over him.  For his wants he
+needed but little; self-denial and sacrifice had grown to be a second
+nature to him, his one earthly wish seeming to be to have a house where
+he and Carmen could live alone together; but as regards others, he was
+open-handed and generous to help wherever it was needed.  It was a very
+difficult matter to find just the right dwelling to suit his taste, so
+he finally concluded to build, renting in the meantime a comfortable
+suite of apartments for himself, while Carmen continued to live as
+heretofore in the Sisters' house; giving the smaller children a few
+hour's instruction, and passing the rest of the day with her father.
+She had regained all her vivacity of manner, for she considered her
+dear father her protector and support; little guessing that it was, in
+reality, quite the contrary, as he looked to her as his stay on which
+to lean.  When alone with him, she allowed her naturally gay humor to
+have full sway, and he would smile contentedly when he heard her
+exquisite voice warbling forth, now a hymn, now a Spanish love-song, or
+when he saw her feet, as if inspired, try a half-forgotten Spanish
+dance, which seemed like a greeting to him from that tropical world
+where he had loved and suffered.  Sometimes she would caress him with
+pretty, fascinating ways, as if her heart longed to lavish on him all
+the tenderness which had been gathering intensity during all the long
+years of separation.
+
+"You are so like Inez!  Gay and merry, like her," he would say with
+emotion, his eyes beaming with love.  Thus she would succeed in
+charming away, for a few moments at least, the shadow which rested ever
+on his brow; and this success gave her a pure happiness she had never
+known before.
+
+As the invalid grew stronger, every one hastened to visit him.  The
+elders wanted a full account of his missionary work in Mongolia, and of
+the religious condition of the heathen in Bengal and the Himalayas; so
+Mauer was at last obliged to consent to give a public narration of his
+experiences.  This could not fail to give him a certain degree of
+importance in the settlement, and it was suggested that he be elected
+to some public office.  But he divested their minds of any such
+thought, and desired to be allowed a quiet and retired life; he was too
+modest and reserved to put himself forward at any time, and now
+anything like publicity was positively painful to him.  Even when
+chatting socially with old friends, he displayed more or less shyness,
+and especially when Jonathan was present.
+
+"A strange sort of friendship!" thought Carmen, as she noticed how her
+father never sought the doctor's society, but, on the contrary, seemed
+to tolerate his company with a kind of bitter endurance, as if he were
+in some secret way the master and Mauer the slave.  Often, when
+Jonathan addressed him, he would suddenly change color and an
+involuntary expression of terror pass over his countenance; then the
+physician's words would assume a slightly scornful tone, and Mauer
+would humbly lower his eyes.
+
+A few days after Jonathan's visit, he inquired how the prescribed
+medicine had affected him.
+
+"Most beneficially," replied Mauer.  "I feel stronger in every way."
+
+"Just as I thought," said the other, smiling kindly.  "I ordered
+fifteen drops, but now you can begin to take twenty; that will not be
+too strong--but positively not more, dear Brother."
+
+Mauer looked up at him with an expression of keenest anguish, and
+gasped for breath; while Jonathan continued to smile at him.
+
+No wonder Carmen thought, "What a strange sort of friendship!"
+
+"It must be with my dear father as it is with me," she said to herself
+by way of explanation.  "He recognizes the snake-like nature in Brother
+Jonathan, but dares not show it; and having been friends in early
+youth, he still loves him in spite of everything."
+
+Weeks and months passed away.  Mauer's house was in process of being
+completed, and he was constantly urging the workmen to have it ready
+for him as soon as possible, as he longed to be settled.
+
+The plan had evidently been drawn on the same simple and spacious style
+of the hacienda in Jamaica, where Carmen's mother had lived.  A wide,
+shady veranda was to extend all around, and a broad flight of steps to
+lead from it to the spacious grounds.  Deep-seated windows were to open
+out on the garden, and elms instead of magnolias must shade them.  But
+the veranda had to be given up, for, when the plan came under the
+observation of the elders, a committee called on Mauer and represented
+to him that such a thing would be a gross violation of the severe laws
+respecting the simple style of building used in the settlement, and
+would give cause for great offence.  The inhabitants of the town must
+be content to live without ostentation and show, abiding by the general
+customs, and conducting themselves as humble members of the faith.
+
+"Just to think: I, an old man, was going to set such a bad example and
+encourage foolish ideas!" said Mauer to his daughter, deeply mortified.
+"When one has been abroad, in different lands, as I have, much that
+belongs to the outside world clings to him when he gets home, and is
+never so noticeable as when he mingles once more with his brethren.
+The renouncing of our own will, and compliance with the wishes of
+others, has all to be learned over again."
+
+"But," cried Carmen, impatiently, "they find impropriety in so many
+things here that one must needs give up thinking, in order to please
+them.  The free spirit within us is so cramped and restricted that we
+cease to be individuals.  It is surely not necessary to make automatons
+of ourselves if we wish to be good.  No; we should choose the right of
+our own free will, because it is right; then we will not fail to do
+what is pleasing in the sight of God."
+
+"Free spirit within us!  What do you mean by that?  We are so often the
+slaves of our own desires that our ideas of right and wrong get
+confused, and we lose our own souls thereby," returned her father, much
+agitated.  "We should, therefore, never reject the path which our
+religion requires us to choose, but rather submit patiently, without
+arguing or any wish to rebel."
+
+Thus the building which had been so beautifully planned, and with so
+much pleasure, turned out to be, when finished, just like all the
+others.  But Carmen did not bear the frustration of their cherished
+hopes as calmly as the old man.  Her visit to Wollmershain, although it
+had not given rise to any new tastes or dislikes regarding the home
+customs, had strengthened the long-buried desires which lay within her
+breast, and quickened her natural spirit of resistance to the existing
+state of things.  Frau von Trautenau, as well as the style and manner
+of life at Wollmershain, was peculiarly congenial to her taste.
+Therefore, although the visit had never been repeated, she often lived
+it over again in her thoughts, and in speaking with her father always
+referred enthusiastically to persons and things there.  One day, while
+describing the unrestrained and harmonious life of her new friends, the
+sound of trumpets playing a hymn came wafted in through the open door.
+
+"Who is dead, Carmen?" asked Mauer, listening intently as he sat by the
+window.  "Is that not the dirge of a bachelor Brother?  I remember the
+air, as I do that of all our funeral hymns.  How often, when suffering
+under my bondage as a slave, I have thought that at my death no music
+would be heard.  But now I know that some day the trumpets will tell to
+the other brothers when the heart of old Mauer has ceased to beat."
+
+"Oh, my father, you must not speak thus!" said Carmen, anxiously.  "The
+person for whom the music is sounding is the bachelor Brother
+Christopher Yager, who died yesterday evening.  He was the one who
+spoke in defence of our unmarried sisters in the general council; and
+now some one will have to be elected in his place."
+
+This election followed immediately after the funeral, the elders
+casting votes for those they deemed most suitable for the position.
+The majority were in favor of Jonathan Fricke, who was received with
+universal satisfaction.  No one was more pleased with the result than
+Sister Agatha, who always depended so much on him for advice.  She felt
+that now, being able to entrust the affairs of her department to his
+wisdom and circumspection, his piety and brotherly love, was as if she
+handed her ship over to the guidance of a skilful and able captain.  He
+received the honor with great humility, as a duty laid upon him from
+which he must not shrink, however unworthy he felt to bear the heavy
+responsibility.  Yet in spite of all his apparent absence of pride,
+there was something about him which elicited the homage of the Sisters
+as they gave their promise to be willing to trust him with their
+confidence and follow his instructions.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+Notwithstanding its being the month of September, a burning July heat
+prevailed, and, as a breath of wind would occasionally stir, great
+clouds of dust rose from the streets and lanes of the settlement.  But
+in spite of the intense warmth of the sun, masons and carpenters were
+busily at work on Brother Mauer's house, which was located in a
+pleasant district on the outskirts of the town.  From the windows on
+the first floor, which stood quite high from the ground, one could
+catch a fine view of the broad, sunny landscape.  There was the green
+meadow-land, with its duck-pond, and beyond, round the road to the old
+mill in the valley, the steep path leading uphill to the graveyard, and
+finally, away off towards the south, great masses of dense forest,
+rising one above the other, covering the mountain-sides and shutting
+out all that lay beyond.
+
+"So that will be your room dear father, and this one next to it mine,"
+said Carmen, pleasantly, as she and the old man wandered about in the
+bright morning air over the grounds and through the partially finished
+building which was to be their home.
+
+"How pretty it will be here, father!  I will raise vines all around the
+windows, so that, in summer, a pretty shade will fall in the rooms; and
+even though we are not allowed to have any ornaments, a cabinet of
+books will be here, and by the window shall stand a table with a vase
+of flowers on it, while over there I will make a cosey little nook,
+like the one Frau von Trautenau has in her room.  And then when evening
+comes, dear father, you shall sit by me, and tell me of the snow-capped
+Himalayas, and the wonders of the East Indian world.  Or when the lamp
+is lighted, I will read to you, just as I did to Frau von Trautenau in
+her dear little nook."
+
+"How often you speak of that lady, Carmen!  Is she so very dear to
+you?" asked Mauer.
+
+"Yes, very dear, father," she replied eagerly, and the warmth of her
+feelings betrayed itself in her countenance.  "She was very, very kind
+to me; and with her, I, who was so lonely, felt how good it must be to
+look into a mother's eyes.  I could always turn to her for sympathy and
+advice, feeling sure of being understood; and that was a great comfort
+to me, when I thought you never would return, father.  She is not grave
+and austere, like our Sisters here, but is in all things noble and
+good; and even though she belongs to those who are outside in the
+world, yet anyone following her could not go wrong.  The world!" she
+continued thoughtfully.  "We are all of this world as long as we live.
+How can one set of people consider themselves so much better than the
+others?"
+
+"We do not think ourselves better, child, but on a surer road to become
+so," interrupted the father.  "And yet, even with us, there are no
+insurmountable barriers to keep us from straying into the by-paths
+which lead us away from the goal!" he added, with a sigh.
+
+"Yes father," she said, with a fond smile.  "That is just what I say.
+The right way and the wrong, cross each other everywhere in life, and
+we must ever be striving more and more to distinguish between them."
+
+"May your heart never mislead you, child!" answered the old man with
+emotion.  "One who has lived as long as I have, who has fallen and
+endeavored to make atonement, learns to mistrust the human heart."
+
+"Listen, father; are not those shots?" exclaimed Carmen, excitedly, as
+from a distance were heard, at this moment, several dull reports of
+cannon.  Closer and closer they came, mingled with the cracking of
+rifles; while from the borders of the forest, on the south, clouds of
+smoke ascended and curled in wreaths among the sombre pines, Mauer and
+his daughter went out and took up their station on the lawn, under an
+old linden-tree, from whence they could survey the scene at leisure.
+In the west the sky had become overcast; black clouds were gathering in
+threatening masses, and there was every indication of an approaching
+storm.  Low rumblings of thunder reached the ear from time to time,
+together with the dull booming of artillery.
+
+"What a number of shots!  There must be something extraordinary going
+on!" exclaimed Carmen.
+
+"There are troops practising over yonder in the forest," said one of
+the workmen, who had come out to satisfy his curiosity.  "I hear they
+are quartered in the village on the other side of the woods."
+
+Troops!  What a startling circumstance!  The other workmen, heretofore
+so quiet and diligent, stopped their labors, and gazed with surprise
+and curiosity towards the place from whence the smoke came.  It was an
+almost unheard-of event for soldiers to be in this neighborhood.  The
+Brothers, being conscienciously opposed to the use of fire-arms, had
+been exempted by the government from military duty; and many a one who
+left the settlement to go abroad had never seen a soldier.
+
+Suddenly a flash was seen among the trees, followed by a roar, this
+time louder than before.  Through the openings in the woods could be
+seen the gay colored uniforms, at first singly, then in groups; and
+finally in whole companies.  Bayonets glittered in the sunlight; flags
+and standards waved, and bugles sounded from the distance.
+
+"Oh, there they are!--the soldiers!  How their weapons glitter!" cried
+Carmen, in delight.  "How the cavalrymen gallop to and fro, and how
+their sabres shine!  Just look, dear father, how splendid it is!"
+
+"Yes, when no blood is being shed, one can look at it from a safe
+distance," said Mauer, soberly.
+
+"Yet I don't know but what I would be a soldier if I were a man,"
+replied the girl, excitedly.  "It is, of course, a great sin to commit
+murder; but to fight for the fatherland, that must be a noble
+employment for a man.  It seems to me, father, that a true man would
+stand in the fight and know no fear; who would throw himself into
+danger bravely, face it unflinchingly, and turn it aside by his
+prowess; under whose protection the weak seek for shelter; who has,
+with all his bravery, a gentle, tender heart, and a well-balanced
+mind--a man father, who, like the oak, sways not when weaker trees
+tremble in the storm."
+
+"How is it possible that you know anything about soldiers?" asked
+Mauer, astonished at her enthusiasm.
+
+"I met some of them at Wollmershain," she replied quickly.
+
+"And were they such men as you describe?"
+
+She hesitated a moment.
+
+"No, not all of them.  A man is not always what he ought to be."
+
+"Wollmershain and Frau von Trautenau: between the two, your thoughts
+seem continually to wander, Carmen; everything you say springs from
+that subject, or leads back to it.  You seem to have received very deep
+impressions; deeper, I am afraid, than is good for you."
+
+She did not answer.  Her gaze lingered on the scene before her,
+watching the troops as they began to file off from the forest.
+Suddenly a large body of cavalry wheeled around from a screened corner
+in the woods, and the spectacle became more and more lively.
+
+Carmen's face glowed with pleasure, and her eyes moved restlessly
+hither and thither, as if to take in the whole picture.
+
+"I could sit here all day and watch them," she said.  "It cannot be
+late, father, is it?  Sister Agatha told me, when I came away this
+morning, that I must be back at eleven o'clock for something important."
+
+"Eleven o'clock!" replied Mauer, looking at his watch.  "Why, my child,
+it is almost twelve."
+
+Carmen sprang up quickly.  "Then I must go at once.  What a pity!  I
+want to stay so much.  Adieu, dear father; I will be with you again
+this afternoon."  She embraced and kissed the old man, and hurried away.
+
+Meanwhile an unusual commotion prevailed in the Sisters' house.
+Whenever two met together there was whispering going on; the hands in
+the work-room rested oftener, and the heads were put together for a
+softly-spoken word; the eyes wandered about with inquiring glances, or
+watched the dial of the large clock that quietly ticked on in its usual
+monotonous fashion.
+
+At last the hands pointed to the appointed hour, and eleven deliberate
+strokes chimed forth; whereupon the Sisters began to issue forth from
+every door, and betook themselves to the assembly-room.
+
+Sister Agatha and the recently elected supervisor of the unmarried
+Sisters, Brother Jonathan, stood in the centre of the room, and near
+them the teachers and elders.  When all had entered, and an expectant
+silence prevailed, Jonathan commenced an address to the congregation.
+
+"As you probably already know, dear Sisters, a letter has been received
+from Brother Daniel, at Cape Colony, in which he informs us of his safe
+arrival in the country of the Caffres.  He goes on to tell how he has
+met Brother Joseph Hubner and two other Brothers; and how a little band
+of devout Christians has begun to spring up, which with the Lord's help
+will further the work of rescuing souls from the darkness of
+heathenism, and win them to the truth.  It is a glorious work which
+they have so piously undertaken, and blessed is every one who lends
+them a helping hand.  Nothing is needed in their simple life, except
+one thing.  They have no women to help to lighten the labor, and so
+Brother Joseph begs that his wife Christina, whom he left behind, may
+follow him; and Brother Daniel desires that we choose a helpmate for
+him, who may be sent out in company with Sister Christina.  This
+request is very proper, and a beautiful field of work is thus opened
+for her who will become his wife, as she will be of the greatest
+assistance to her husband.  We now wish, dear Sisters, to draw lots,
+and thereby decide which of you is called to this honor of helping our
+dear Brother in building up the faith; and we are prepared to recognize
+in the result a direct expression of the Lord's will, hoping it will be
+gladly and humbly obeyed."
+
+When Jonathan had finished speaking, and arrangements were being made
+in the usual manner for the drawing, a buzz of excitement arose among
+the Sisters.  Suspense was written on every face, but no one showed any
+fear.  Custom and habit, which govern so completely the feelings of
+people, prevented the Sisters from feeling wounded or alarmed at being
+disposed of in this business-like manner; and therefore they allowed
+the ceremony to go on with cheerful resignation.  Brother Jonathan laid
+down one after another of the drawn papers containing the names of the
+Sisters, while Sister Agatha at the same time let the blanks which she
+drew fall on the floor, waiting until she should turn up the one on
+which was written Brother Daniel's name.  The spirit of humility with
+which it all was accepted, as coming from the Lord, stood written on
+these gentle faces which bore this trial so firmly.  Not a single
+Sister trembled as her name was read by Brother Jonathan.  About half
+the list had been called in this manner, when Jonathan, unrolling
+another paper, looked at it a moment in silence.  He changed color, and
+involuntarily hesitated; but controlling himself, read in the same calm
+voice as before: "Carmen Mauer."  He looked anxiously at Sister Agatha,
+whose trembling fingers tried to open the folded paper which she drew.
+After many futile efforts it was at last unrolled; she looked at it,
+and her hand sank slowly to her side as she read: "Brother Daniel
+Becker."
+
+Hate or love, triumph or despair: which was it that stood so plainly
+written on Jonathan's face?  For the moment he could not master his
+feelings.
+
+"Sister Carmen Mauer!"  The name passed from lip to lip, and echoed
+through the room.  Carmen had endeared herself to everybody, although
+she was so different from them all.  Her sweetness of manner had won
+their hearts, and her unselfishness and kindness had gained her many
+friends.  "Carmen Mauer!" they called, repeatedly, but no answer came.
+Carmen was not present.
+
+"Where is Sister Carmen Mauer?" asked Brother Jonathan, who had become
+sufficiently calm to speak; and something like a gleam of hope lit up
+his features.
+
+"Here," replied a voice half-choked from swift running.
+
+All eyes were turned towards the doorway where she stood; her cheeks
+rosy, and her large black eyes filled with wonder, as she glanced
+rapidly over the assembly.
+
+"Here I am," she repeated, stepping forward.  "Do you wish me?"
+
+Sister Agatha hesitated; she did not know exactly what answer to make.
+How very unfortunate that Carmen should have been late on this
+particular day, thus rendering it impossible to prepare her beforehand
+for what might occur!  Even now Sister Agatha would gladly have spoken
+with her alone, and told her gently about the choice which had fallen
+upon her.  But Jonathan had already advanced to meet the girl.  He had
+resumed his usual manner, and as he fixed his eyes on the unsuspecting
+maiden, there was a certain air of assured triumph in his looks, as if
+he had her now securely in his power.
+
+"Dear Sister Carmen," he said, "you have, by your tardiness, missed
+hearing that Brother Daniel Becker has written to us from the land of
+the Caffres, and has desired us to choose a wife for him.  The lots
+have just now been cast, and the Lord has directed it to you."
+
+"To me?" said Carmen, with an air of perplexity, turning her astonished
+glance on the speaker, as if she did not understand what he was saying.
+
+"Yes, to you, dear Sister," continued Jonathan, with a louder voice;
+"and I hope you will receive this choice humbly, as becomes you, and
+accept your position as Brother Daniel's wife--" he hesitated a moment,
+and then added with emphasis; "if you are not already betrothed to some
+other man."
+
+Carmen's eyes flashed with anger, and she drew herself up proudly.
+
+"Cast lots for me!" she exclaimed bitterly; "disposed of me at a
+chance, as if I were a bale of goods, a lifeless piece of machinery!
+Promised me to a man to whom no impulse of my heart draws me; to whom
+it is quite indifferent whether I or some other girl falls to his
+share--and all in the name of religion!  This is indeed degradation,
+slavery!  It never could be worse among the slaves on the islands whose
+freedom you all have taken so much trouble to secure."
+
+She had spoken with all the passion of her warm nature stirred to its
+depths; and now she stopped, exhausted.  All color had vanished from
+her face; only the lustrous eyes glistened with a dangerous light.
+
+"I will never submit to your inspired decision, and refuse to recognize
+this choice," she said at length.
+
+Every one looked at her in amazement, thunderstruck at this candid and
+straightforward announcement.  All at once, as if she had been struck
+with leprosy, the Sisters shrank back from her--she stood alone in
+their midst; only Agatha approached her, and with an anxious look
+seized her hand.
+
+"Dear Sister," she commenced gently, "you are excited, and cannot
+listen to the higher voice.  Reflect a moment."
+
+Carmen shook her head, and with that peculiar mixture of pride and
+child-like humility which marked her character, she bowed herself
+submissively before her faithful admonisher.
+
+"Forgive me, dear Sister Agatha," she pleaded, embracing her fondly;
+"forgive me if I am constrained to speak in a manner that you think is
+wrong; but I can retract nothing of what I have said.  Let me go to my
+father; he is my natural protector, and he alone has the right to
+dispose of me."
+
+She avoided looking at Jonathan again; it seemed as if this new trouble
+must, in some way, have originated with him; and every pure, womanly
+instinct of her nature felt insulted.  Gently unclasping her arms from
+Agatha's neck, she left the room.  It was not possible to remain longer
+in the house; something impelled her to get out into the fresh air, by
+that means to throw off, if possible, some subtle influence which
+seemed to be weaving a spell over her.
+
+As she hurried along, dark clouds began to scud across the sky
+overhead, and the low mutterings of thunder came from the distance.  It
+may have been the thunderings of nature, or of war--she did not heed
+them; her heart was filled with bitter, rebellious thoughts, and her
+flying feet seemed to skim over the road; nor did she check her hasty
+steps until she was about to enter her father's room.  Mauer sat in his
+arm-chair, absorbed in thought.  She threw herself down on her knees
+beside him, and flung her arms about his waist.  Pressing her head
+against his breast, she said half breathlessly: "Father, protect me!"
+
+He looked at his daughter with a bewildered air.  Only one hour ago so
+gay and light-hearted, and now so utterly unnerved, crouching in
+despair at his feet!  Raising her up, he gazed into her pale
+countenance.
+
+"Heavens above! what has befallen you, my child?"
+
+"Father, they have cast lots for your child!"
+
+"Cast lots?"
+
+"Yes; cast lots, as for a thing that does not live and feel--a toy,
+that has no will of its own, no self-respect; given as a prize to a man
+who is nothing to me.  And it is all done in the name of religion!
+Father, protect me!"
+
+"Cast lots!" the old man repeated, as if his brain could not grasp what
+his ear heard.  "No!  Heaven forbid that such a misfortune, should
+befall you!  It is enough that one of us has suffered and lived through
+such an ordeal.  No, Carmen, be at rest, my darling.  Your father will
+tell the elders that he cannot do without his child."
+
+The faintest shadow of a smile appeared again on Carmen's lips as she
+listened to his comforting words, and she breathed more freely.
+
+"I knew you would help me, my own dear father!  I rejected the choice,
+and hastened to you for support."
+
+"But for whom have they selected you as a wife?" asked Mauer, gently
+stroking her cheek.
+
+"For Daniel Becker, the missionary who, six months ago, went to the
+land of the Caffres.  Oh, father, you will not let me go from you?  We
+will remain together; no one shall separate us--not even this
+Jonathan--"  She involuntarily shuddered.  At mention of that name the
+old man started and fixed his eyes on her.
+
+"Jonathan?" he asked slowly.  "Why do you blame him?"
+
+"Father, I feared to speak of it," she stammered, shocked that she had
+so clearly betrayed herself.  "He is your friend, and you become so
+agitated when he is mentioned.  But you must listen now.  Before your
+return he asked me, from Sister Agatha, for his wife; and after I
+refused him--for oh, father, I cannot help it, I have an aversion to
+him--he pursued me with a wild love that frightened me.  He embraced
+and kissed me against my will, and then begged I would be silent about
+it.  I promised; but that was before I knew I had a father living.  Now
+I have told it, and I am glad you know all about the matter."
+
+Her eyes rested trustingly on him, but she could not catch a responsive
+glance; he kept his head turned away, and looked out into the distance
+with a countenance full of distress and anguish.
+
+"Dear father, are you angry with me?" she asked humbly.
+
+"Not angry, no; but it is a misfortune--a great misfortune," he
+whispered.
+
+At this moment there was a knock at the door; it opened, and Brother
+Jonathan entered.  Father and daughter stared at him without stirring;
+no one uttered a word; no one moved.  Mauer remained leaning back in
+his chair; Carmen did not rise from her kneeling posture, and only
+pressed her head closer to her father's bosom.
+
+Jonathan silently regarded the pair.  Never had Carmen looked more
+beautiful than in this clinging posture--in this outpouring of love and
+confidence.  To see her thus reclining on her father's breast was
+nothing to give rise to jealous feelings, but it increased his longing
+to have her leaning thus on him.
+
+"You are troubled; I know it, and have come to help you," he said at
+last, in his gentlest tones.  "I am sorry, very sorry, that Sister
+Carmen has allowed herself to be so far carried away by her feelings as
+to lose all sense of duty and humility, and to speak such wild words
+before the people.  We must see if things cannot be arranged
+pleasantly.  I will consider what can be done, if Carmen will permit me
+to act at all for her in the matter."
+
+"Dear Brother, spare me my child," pleaded Mauer, with faltering voice.
+"She cannot accept the lot which has fallen on her; she must not go so
+far from me just now, when I have found her again.  I cannot live
+without my daughter."
+
+"You know, dear Brother," returned Jonathan, "we of the faith always
+recognize in the casting of lots the most direct indication of the will
+of Heaven.  Each one must fulfil the duty laid upon him, and not pause
+to consider if it concurs with his own wishes or not.  If Carmen's hand
+is still free, she must follow the call which has been given her.  She
+may not be separated from us forever.  Perhaps in a few years she will
+return with her husband."
+
+"A few years!  Will they be granted to me?" said Mauer, sadly.
+
+"Dear brother, I have already remarked that if Carmen is already
+betrothed, the choice made by lot is null and void, and the elders must
+be requested to give their consent to the alliance she has in view,"
+replied Jonathan, sharply, emphasizing each word.
+
+Carmen's lip curled scornfully as he spoke, and the cutting, scathing
+glance she gave him was enough to wither a braver man than he.  She
+surmised what he was aiming at, but uttered never a word.  Leaning
+against her father's heart, she felt sure of finding there a secure
+resting-place, and a precious sense of sheltering love made her able to
+endure anything.  But her proud glance roused Jonathan's spirit, which
+grew hotter and hotter under his calm exterior.  Would he be compelled
+to give her up?
+
+He could not satisfy himself whether his feeling for the girl was love
+or hate; at any rate, he thought within himself that to bend her pride
+and destroy her fancied security would afford him infinite satisfaction.
+
+"But she is not betrothed," said Mauer, when Jonathan ceased speaking.
+"I, as her father, am the natural guardian of her destiny.  I have the
+right to decide."
+
+"The right, dear Brother?" interposed Jonathan, with a scornful smile.
+"That depends.  It could not be granted to every parent in the
+Brotherhood."  And as the old man before him dropped his eyes, he added
+smiling: "Yet if I asked, for the sake of old times, that you would
+give me Carmen for my wife, would I be able to gain your consent, as
+her father?"
+
+It was a helpless, imploring look that Mauer now directed towards his
+daughter; his hands clasped over hers with a convulsive grasp; his lips
+moved, as if to speak, but no sound came from them.
+
+Carmen looked at her father in perfect amazement.
+
+"Father, dear father, indeed I cannot become the wife of this man," she
+whispered with a beseeching tone.
+
+"Child, cannot you make yourself do it for my sake?" were the words
+wrung from his lips.
+
+"No, never!  Urge me not, my father; it would bring untold misery on
+me, and afford happiness to no one."
+
+A deep flush rose to Jonathan's brow, and anger and disappointment
+completely triumphed over self-control.  "You cannot be my wife, Sister
+Carmen?  Very well; then you will be the wife of Brother Daniel in the
+land of the Caffres.  Do you think I am going to tolerate your
+rebellious, stubborn spirit, which is so unsuitable to a member of our
+community?  Let your father tell you that I have the means in my hands
+to compel you to decide between the two fates!"
+
+As he spoke, Carmen sprang up, and, drawing herself to her full height,
+measured him with a proud, contemptuous look; then, as if unable to
+bring herself to address him, she turned to her father and said calmly:
+"Dear father, speak for your child, and protect her!"
+
+She clasped her hands imploringly; while he shook his head in sorrow
+and grief, but remained silent.
+
+"Father," she cried, "have you nothing to say?"
+
+No sound issued from his pallid lips; the anguish of his soul was
+betrayed only in his eyes.
+
+Burying her face in her hands, Carmen now broke down utterly; and
+Jonathan's evil countenance gleamed with triumph.  As she appeared
+before him, bowed in despair and grief, like some beautiful flower
+crushed by a ruthless hand, his eyes feasted themselves on the lovely
+girl, who was at last humbled and forced to give herself to him.
+
+"You will do well to consider the matter calmly, and give me your final
+decision, Brother Michael.  I will return this evening for it.  We will
+try to help each other in a spirit of brotherly love, and you well know
+I am willing to exercise mercy and patience, as we are commanded; but
+there are times when both must cease."  Saying thus, he left the room.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+Brother Mauer sat alone with his daughter, and a deathly silence
+enwrapped the two, left alone together with their grief.  The sky was
+still dark, with threatening dark clouds, which threw their deep
+shadows over the room, and at intervals a blinding flash of lightning
+illuminated with dazzling ray the bowed figures of father and daughter;
+while loud claps of thunder called to them, as if to rouse them from
+the sorrowful trance.
+
+But they stirred not.  Outside, the rain poured in torrents, and the
+wind swept howling by; but they seemed not to hear.  At last Mauer's
+hand felt its way to the girl's head, and passed lovingly and gently
+over it.  She caught his fingers, as if the very touch inspired her
+with new life; and raising her head, she turned her hot, tearless eyes
+up to him, saying in an inexpressibly sad tone:
+
+"Father, why have you forsaken your child in her hour of need?"
+
+"Because, Carmen, I am powerless before this man," he returned in a low
+voice.
+
+"Powerless?" she asked.  "But how can he have any power over you if you
+do not wish it?  He, a friend, against his friend!"
+
+"Ah, Carmen," answered the old man, "that he has not used his power
+against me before is another proof of his friendship for me; but now,
+when he sees fit to exert it, I cannot prevent him, and must bear it.
+I have already told you that it is a great misfortune that he loves
+you, and you cannot return his affection."
+
+"Father, my thoughts are so perplexed by all this.  I cannot understand
+how any one can have such power over you that you are forced to leave
+your own child unprotected."
+
+Mauer sighed deeply.  Carmen rose, and began to pace restlessly up and
+down the room.  Outside, the thunder-storm raged with ungovernable
+fury; within, the poor girl was endeavoring to quiet the tumult of her
+aching heart, and collect her scattered thoughts.
+
+"Father," she said at last, breaking silence, and seating herself near
+him, "speak, and let me know how and why Brother Jonathan can injure
+you.  What can we do to avert the peril we are in?"
+
+"Carmen, could you bear to behold in your father a culprit, a great
+sinner?"  He looked so crushed, so very, very miserable, that her
+loving heart overflowed with sympathy and pity.  To look at that dear
+face, and see the wretchedness of gulf and remorse written there, wrung
+her heart beyond endurance, and brought the scalding tears to her eyes.
+She threw her arms about his neck, and answered tenderly: "You cannot
+be guilty in your daughter's eyes; and if you appear so before the
+world, I will only love you the more for it, and help you to bear your
+grief, father."  He sobbed aloud, and drew her closer to him.
+
+"It must be God's gracious mercy and pity which speaks to me through
+you, my child.  May He bless you, and for your sake, and my sufferings,
+may He forgive my great sin!  It is indeed an old story of guilt and
+sorrow which I have to tell, and which has weighed heavily upon my
+heart for nineteen long years!  Listen, then, Carmen."
+
+Mauer sat silent a moment, as if trying to refresh in his memory the
+half-faded events of long years ago, and shape into more definite forms
+their outlines, obscured by the mists of time.
+
+At length he spoke.
+
+"Thirty years ago, my child, I left here with my first wife, and moved
+to Jamaica to carry on the linen business, for the Brothers had
+established themselves in business in connection with the mission
+there.  We arrived in May, and were in a short time quite settled.  The
+country and climate are lovely at that time of the year, but during the
+rainy season, when the wet ground sent forth its poisonous miasma, we
+both were stricken down with the fever.  I, being the stronger,
+recovered from the attack pretty soon; but my wife, a small, delicate
+woman, succumbed at once to the fell destroyer.
+
+"For two years I remained a widower, and led a lonely life of hard
+work.  Gladly would I have returned home to Europe, but the business
+once begun was not so easily given up; it would have been attended with
+great losses.  Therefore I wrote home, saying I needed a wife, and
+would like one sent out to me.  I named two Sisters of whom I had
+thought, hoping that one or the other would come to me.  One of them
+was dead, the other married; so the lot was cast among the other
+Sisters, and it fell on Sister Julie.  When my new wife arrived, I was
+greatly shocked.  She was, not only homely of face, but deformed in
+figure.  In spite of my love for the beautiful, I conquered myself, and
+hoped she would be so much the more lovely in disposition.  But hers
+was a narrow, severe nature, from which no congeniality could be
+expected.  She prayed zealously and worked diligently carrying out with
+the greatest precision the rules prescribed for us; but she had not a
+single idea beyond that; and when she was not praying, was peevish,
+suspicious, and avaricious.  For nearly eight years I lived with her,
+my aversion daily increasing.  About that time, as misfortune would
+have it, a friend, who was living in Jamaica, died, owing me a large
+sum of money.  His affairs were left in such confusion that I was
+obliged to receive the plantation as payment for my debt.  I found the
+place in a wretched condition, and, in order to oversee its management
+to any advantage, I resolved to transfer my business in the mission to
+an agent, and move on the place with my wife.  Then came a fatal hour
+for me.  Into my darkened soul, into the comfortless, emptiness of my
+life, entered the power of a great passion.
+
+"A slave belonging on a plantation about two hours' ride from mine, and
+owned by a Spaniard, ran away, and fled to me for protection.  The
+slaves all knew that my laborers were free, and that induced the
+unhappy creature thither.  Don Manuel was not a hard master, but the
+poor wretch had committed a grave fault, and was afraid to go home.  So
+I resolved to ride over and speak with Don Manuel about it.  I reached
+the hacienda of the Spaniard, and as I was about to enter, saw,
+reclining in a hammock under the palm-trees, a slight, delicate figure
+robed in white.  Her arms were thrown above her head, and the lace of
+her sleeve falling back gave me a glimpse of the beautifully rounded
+limb.  The sound of my horse's hoofs aroused her; she glided gracefully
+from the hammock, and looked at me with a curious expression of
+surprise as a quick blush mantled her cheek.  She was scarcely more
+than a child, being only fifteen, but the loveliest, the most
+fascinating creature my eyes ever beheld.  It was Inez--your mother.
+
+"I was ushered into her father's presence, and while discussing
+business with him, watched her on the veranda feeding the peacocks and
+caressing a cunning little black monkey.  I could not turn my eyes from
+her; each attitude seemed more exquisite than the last; each tone of
+her voice sounded like music.
+
+"When I rode away, she was standing under the trees, and waved her hand
+to me in farewell.  Turning after a moment, to see if she was still
+there, I beheld the same lovely picture, which lives in my heart to
+this day."
+
+Mauer paused, affected by his own words.  Before his mind's eye rose
+the past in all its beauty; and a crowd of sweet memories overwhelmed
+him.  Carmen had listened with intense eagerness to his recollections
+of her mother; she had almost forgotten that she was about to hear the
+confession of a great crime.  With a smile parting her lips, she looked
+at her father, impatient for him to proceed.
+
+"How this storm rages!" Mauer resumed; "and yet it is nothing compared
+with the blows they have in the West Indies.  Can you remember them,
+Carmen?  One September, a few weeks after my visit to Don Manuel, the
+sea-breeze lulled, and we were almost suffocated with the heat.  For
+many days the heavens were overcast with leaden clouds, which grew
+darker and darker as they continued to pile up in huge masses; electric
+flashes danced and quivered through them, and a continual rumbling of
+thunder threatened danger, and indicated that the rainy season was
+approaching.  I had been to the mission to look after my business, and
+was riding slowly homeward, through the heavy sultry air, when all at
+once the storm broke over me.  It came tearing down from the blue
+mountains, raging and driving over the savannas in unchecked fury.  I
+put spurs to my horse, in a fruitless effort to reach home before the
+worst came, for I knew full well what would follow this outbreak.  At
+this moment I saw approaching me, at full speed, a white horse, whose
+rider was making hopeless attempts to manage him.  I at once recognized
+Inez, and placing myself across the path, succeeded in seizing the
+bridle and stopping the animal in his mad night.
+
+"No time was now to be lost in bringing the girl home to her father,
+and in such a storm my presence was necessary for her protection.  She
+had been riding alone, as usual, and on the return home her horse had
+taken the wrong road.  The storm became more and more violent; the
+lightning nearly blinded us, and terrified our horses.  The rain now
+began to pour down in torrents, and it was impossible for Inez to
+retain her seat in the saddle.  She remembered a little deserted negro
+cabin in the neighborhood, under a grove of magnolias, and thither we
+fled.  There was no light in the hut; the wind bent the trees down on
+its roof and dashed the rain against its sides, so that we expected
+every moment to be killed.  Inez drew closer to me and trembled
+violently, as I supported her quivering form with my arm.  I spoke
+soothingly to her, as I would have done to a timid child; and as I bent
+over to comfort her, a flash of lightning lit up the place, so that I
+could look into her eyes dilated with fear, and she into mine.
+Then--she kissed me again and again.  Carmen, your mother was one of
+the most innocent, the purest beings on earth; in her heart was no
+impure thought, in her life was no action which could not bear the
+light of day.  But there, under the glowing, tropical skies, blood
+flies quicker through the veins than here in our cool Germany; and from
+childhood to womanhood is but one, sudden leap.  When I felt her kisses
+on my lips, I was taken aback; I had thought of her only as a beautiful
+child, but now I recognized the woman in her, and--I was a married man.
+
+"A sound of anxious hallooing reached our ears.  It was made by the
+negroes which Don Manuel had sent out in search of his child; and as
+the first fury of the storm had now spent itself, we parted from each
+other.
+
+"When I reached home, my unfortunate wife seemed more repulsive than
+ever; in fact, her disagreeable ways, added to her natural homeliness,
+had rendered her almost intolerable.  The memory of Inez's lovely form
+and face, her graceful manner and silvery voice, was ever present with
+me.  I repeatedly told myself how wicked this was, and resolved not to
+call again on Don Manuel, lest I should see her.  But it was impossible
+to banish her image, and day after day the struggle within my soul grew
+more severe.  Thus the rainy months passed away; during which I
+scarcely left home at all, and saw no one but my wife.  One day she was
+taken sick, and soon became so ill that Brother Jonathan, who was the
+physician of the mission, and for whom I sent at once, became very
+anxious.  It was on the fifth day of her illness, and Jonathan had been
+to see her in the afternoon; but in the evening she became much worse.
+She complained so much that about ten o'clock I concluded to ride out
+to the doctor's.  Jonathan was much sought after as a physician, and
+when I reached his house about eleven o'clock, he had already been
+roused up from his sleep by a man who wanted some medicine for a child,
+and who was waiting to have it prepared.  Ah, how I remember every
+trifle, exactly as if it all had occurred only yesterday!
+
+"When I told Jonathan how very ill my wife was, he gave me very little
+if any hope, but said he would prepare a soothing draught for her.  I
+was full of anxiety and in great haste to get back, as was also the
+other man; and when at last Thomas, Jonathan's servant, brought the two
+bottles of medicine, I seized mine eagerly, as I had a long way to go;
+and as I left, Brother Jonathan said to me: 'They are opium-drops; give
+her fifteen when you get home, and if she does not get easy, then two
+hours after repeat the dose.'"
+
+"I sprang on my horse and hurried away.  Jonathan's words seemed to
+ring in my ears: 'I have scarcely any hope of saving her.'  Ah, Carmen,
+they were to me like words of deliverance.  I had borne for so long the
+fearfully heavy yoke which had been laid upon me that at times it
+seemed beyond human endurance; for this woman's soul was almost more
+repulsive than her body.  At last I reached home.  It was twelve
+o'clock.  My wife was suffering as much as ever; she complained
+incessantly of the increasing pain, and I at once prepared the drops
+for her.  She groaned; then I began to count the drops: one, two,
+three, four--and then the thought came into my mind: 'Scarcely any more
+hope.'  My hand trembled; a mist seemed to gather before my eyes.  The
+drops fell, faster; I counted on: thirteen, fourteen, fifteen; a few
+drops more had fallen unawares into the spoon; then followed one more,
+and again one more--twenty-five, twenty-six.  I pushed the vial away
+from me.  'Where are the drops?  Give them to me!' she cried with
+sinking voice.  She snatched the spoon from my hand, and I turned away
+my head.  My good angel had forsaken me."
+
+Mauer groaned and hid his face in his hands.  Carmen held her breath;
+she dared not speak, or raise her eyes to look at her father; she could
+not even think.
+
+"The patient," resumed Mauer, after a short pause, "became quieter; her
+breathing was scarcely audible.  Did she sleep?  From my heart I
+prayed: 'God of mercy, let her sleep and not die--not now!'  But I did
+not dare to look at or listen to her.  I threw myself on a couch, and,
+in the horror that filled my soul, buried my head in the cushions.
+Time passed on; the clock ticked as usual, I know not whether for
+minutes or hours.  Then I heard the ring of horse's hoofs before the
+door.  I got up to let the visitor in, for the servants were in bed.
+It was only three o'clock in the morning.  To my surprise, in walked
+Brother Jonathan.  'How is she?' he inquired hastily; and I answered
+softly, 'She sleeps.'
+
+"He approached the side of the bed, and drawing the lamp near, so as to
+observe her closely, said: 'Yes, never to wake again.  I was sure
+nothing could save her!'
+
+"I did not utter a word; my tongue seemed glued to my mouth, and
+refused to move.  Had she died because nothing could save her, or
+because I had dropped double the number of drops?  The fatal vial still
+stood on the table by the bed where I had placed it.  I feared to touch
+it again; but Jonathan took it up, and, looking at it, said casually:
+'Did you give her from it twice?  I see there are more than fifteen
+drops gone.'  I nodded my head.  'After two hours?' he asked again, and
+put the vial in his pocket.  I again nodded affirmatively.  He examined
+the dead woman again, felt her skin, and raised her eyelids.
+'Strange,' he said.  'You gave her the first dose about twelve o'clock,
+and the second at two; it is now only three o'clock, and this corpse
+has been cold for several hours.  Your wife must have died at least two
+hours ago; how is that?'  He looked at me in perplexity, and I felt
+myself grow pale under his inquiring glance; my limbs refused to
+support me, and I sank fainting on the floor.
+
+"The funeral was over; I had suffered with another attack of fever, and
+was restored to my usual health, when one day a hasty messenger
+summoned me to go at once to Don Manuel, who needed my presence.  He
+had been thrown from his horse, and was suffering intensely from
+internal injuries, which threatened to terminate fatally at any moment.
+I was conducted to his bedside, at which Inez knelt, her face buried on
+her father's pillow.  At the foot of the bed stood the physician,
+Brother Jonathan.
+
+"Don Manuel motioned me to his side.  'Don Mauer,' he said in a faint
+voice, 'I must die; but, before I leave this world, I would like to
+provide for the future of my child, who, as you know, has no mother.
+You have saved her life in the storm, and she has confessed to me that
+she loves you, and hopes you return her affection.  Therefore I ask you
+now, while death is hastening on, can you love her?  And will you take
+her to your heart, to love and cherish her as your wife?  She has
+always been a good daughter to me; she will be a true and faithful wife
+to you.'
+
+"Inez raised her lovely head, and her dark eyes, which, in their
+innocence did not know how to veil her sentiments, looked pleadingly at
+me.  I laid one hand on the graceful, girlish head, and the other in
+that of the dying man.
+
+"'I will vow to honor and cherish her as my most precious treasure,' I
+said solemnly, 'for I love her above everything on earth.'
+
+"Inez sank into my arms, and the weak voice of her dying father
+pronounced a blessing on us.  He begged that a priest might be quickly
+brought, to unite us by his death-bed, so that he would know Inez was
+safely provided for.
+
+"Scarcely was the ceremony over, when he drew his last breath.
+
+"The surprise, the overwhelming emotion, caused by this event,
+impressed me so powerfully that I could think of nothing but the one
+fact--'Inez is mine!'  When I left the house, after handing the weeping
+girl over into the hands of her faithful nurse.  Brother Jonathan rode
+along with me.
+
+"'Brother Michael,' he said, glaring at me darkly and menacingly, 'I
+now know what sinful love prompted you to give Julie, your wife, a
+double dose of opium; and why, when I came to see her early in the
+morning, the corpse had already been cold for some hours.'
+
+"As I felt myself turn pale, and answered nothing, he laughed
+scornfully, turned his horse's head, and rode off in another direction.
+After that the sight of Brother Jonathan became torture to me.  I
+always read the terrible accusation in his face, although he has never
+uttered it; and I soon found he was equally obnoxious to my wife.
+Indeed, she actually hated him; for, as she told me, he had persecuted
+her with his love, long before I had ever been to Don Manuel's.  She
+shunned him as much as possible, whenever he came to the hacienda; and
+it was most welcome news to both her and me when he told us his health
+could not stand the climate any longer, and he only needed money to
+take him to a colder climate.  I gave him several thousands out of my
+fortune, so as to get rid of him; and he, with his negro servant
+Thomas, went to Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.  To my relief, I saw no more
+of him; he wrote to me some time afterwards, but I did not answer, and
+never heard from him again.  All this time the worm of self-accusation
+was gnawing at my heart; but as long as Inez lived, I found happiness
+in her love, so that not even the voice of conscience could be heard.
+But when she was taken from me, then the cry arose in my heart: 'This
+is my punishment; she has died for my sin!' and all peace vanished from
+my existence.  It was then that I formed the resolution to atone with
+my life for the crime.  I longed to sacrifice myself; to suffer for the
+Lord's sake, and win over souls to the truth.  I parted from you, the
+one single thing that remained to me of Inez.  I sold my lands in
+Jamaica, and went wherever I was ordered--across the seas to India,
+where the least work had as yet been done, and to various other parts
+of the world.  The rest you already know.  No one can imagine how
+gladly I have suffered, although those years of slavery and misery were
+very grievous.  I hoped thereby to win the favor of Heaven; and when I
+was at last permitted to return home, I thought I saw in that an
+assurance that my crime was forgiven.  But it is all a mistake, Carmen,
+for Brother Jonathan lives, and is here, and he is a perpetual reproach
+to me.  Every word he utters seems to refer to it, and I never fail to
+shrink with pain from having him touch the sore point.  He has it in
+his power to bring my sin to light, at any time; and it is an evidence
+of his great friendship for me that he has been hitherto silent.  If
+either you or I anger him, he will not allow our old friendship to
+influence him any longer.  You have heard his threat, and he will,
+without fail, carry it out.  I will bear submissively whatever comes;
+but I am not able, my dear child, to protect you.  If you refuse him
+for your husband, he will disclose my guilt, and I, a criminal, can do
+nothing for you, but must quietly bow before the inevitable."
+
+He was silent, and dared not look at Carmen, for he feared to read what
+might be written on her countenance.  She sat perfectly still, absorbed
+in her own thoughts, her hand shading her eyes, and her breath heaving
+quickly.  The blood seemed frozen with horror in her veins at what she
+had heard; her brave heart quailed before the dreadful future, which
+she knew not how to meet.  And yet one thought stood prominently forth
+from the rest: she must prove her love for her father at any cost.  He
+needed it sorely now, and she had only a short hour ago declared she
+would love him the better for his fault, and thus help him to bear his
+misery.  He had sinned for the sake of her mother, who surely would
+have forgiven him and loved him, whatever other people might have felt.
+The daughter, must not set herself up to condemn her father.  God would
+judge him mercifully, according to the depth of his repentance and
+suffering.  Of this she felt perfectly assured; so, raising her head
+and turning her face to her father, she threw her arms about the old
+man's neck.
+
+"Be comforted, dear father, and trust in God!" she said lovingly.  "You
+have atoned so deeply and long that your sin is surely forgiven, and I
+am sure we will find some way out of this dreadful trouble."
+
+She was silent a moment, sunk in deep thought.  "I must inherit my dear
+mother's aversion to Brother Jonathan, for I have felt it as long as I
+can remember, and it would be quite impossible to give myself to him.
+I hate him as I do the Evil One.  I could believe anything, however
+bad, about him; and yet what he does is good, always good, and he has
+shown himself a friend to you.  Let us consider if there may not be
+some way out of this dreadful dilemma."
+
+The old man leaned, sobbing, against the girl whom he, as a father,
+should have been able to succor, and whose poor brains were now racked
+with caring for both herself and him.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+The fury of the storm had spent itself, but the rain still poured in
+torrents, when, towards five o'clock in the afternoon, two companies of
+soldiers, which had been manoeuvring during the day, came marching
+along, in rather disorderly fashion, on the highroad to the settlement.
+
+"It is well the order to bivouac in this deluge has been countermanded,
+for we would certainly have been drowned like rats," said one of the
+two officers, who were marching a little in advance.  "Yet almost
+anything would have been preferable to taking up our quarters with
+these pious people, whom I doubt will give us any sort of a welcome.
+They look on us as cannibals and murderers, and I tremble to think how
+their untiring zeal will urge them on to attempt our conversion."
+
+His companion laughed.  "It will not be so bad as you think, Hansen;
+although I must admit I don't think our wild boys will be very welcome
+guests to them.  It will sadly disturb their extreme orderliness and
+quiet routine of life."
+
+"You are sure of being well received, Captain Trautenau," resumed the
+first speaker, "having already been in this Bethany, and also having a
+sister at school here among the saints.  You must look out for us, and
+get the best shelter you can."
+
+Having now reached the suburbs of the village, Alexander von Trautenau
+ordered a halt to be made and the soldiers fall in rank.  "We will
+march in with as imposing an appearance as possible," he said gayly;
+and they passed through the streets, while many a terrified and
+astonished form rushed to the windows and watched them go by.
+Alexander, being familiar with the place, marched with his men directly
+to the Brothers' house and entered the spacious yard; there he gave the
+command to stack arms.  That surely was a peaceful proceeding!  The
+Brothers' house was much larger than that of the Sisters, as here they
+usually carried on their various branches of industry.  The door was
+now opened and, with a pale, terror-stricken countenance, Brother
+Martin, the presiding elder, stepped out.  Alexander immediately went
+up to him, and asked politely: "Are you the elder in authority over
+this house?"  When he answered in the affirmative, Alexander continued:
+"I have been ordered here with two companies to find shelter for the
+night, as the heavy rain has rendered bivouacking impossible.  Will you
+be so good as to assign me quarters for the men?"
+
+"We will, mein Herr.  But, first of all, tell me, I pray, if these guns
+are loaded," answered Brother Martin, pointing anxiously to the stacks
+of arms.
+
+"Of course the guns are loaded, but only with powder; and there is no
+danger whatever of their going off by themselves," said the officer,
+trying to reassure him.
+
+But Brother Martin only grew paler than before.  "Herr Officer, I must
+humbly beg that the guns be removed."
+
+"With pleasure," replied Alexander, "if you will show me a room in
+which my men may carry them and keep them dry."
+
+Brother Martin hastened with alacrity into the house, and opened a room
+in the basement.  The murderous weapons were carried in by the
+soldiers, the door was shut, and, to the great relief of the poor
+elder, the key turned and put away safely in the officer's pocket.
+
+Meanwhile, Hansen had not been able to repress his ridiculing remarks.
+"It is enough to turn an honest soldier's heart around in his body to
+listen to such stuff," he said.  "Guns!  As if we would carry anything
+else!  The man must be a fool."
+
+Alexander divided his men into squads, to occupy the apartments where
+they were to be accommodated with pallets of straw.
+
+One of the married brothers now came up and addressed the captain.
+"Herr Officer," he said modestly, "I have room in my house for a few
+men.  Will you allow me to accommodate four or six?  I promise to give
+them the very best that my poor house affords."
+
+"With many thanks, kind sir," was the reply.  "Please select from among
+them those you would like to have; the poor drenched creatures will be
+only too glad of your hospitality."
+
+The man chose the first six which came to hand, and carried them off
+with him.  The ice being thus broken, one brother after another offered
+to take in some of them, and pretty soon everything was satisfactorily
+arranged.  Another Brother begged to have the officers for his guests,
+and with hearty hospitality withdrew to prepare the best of everything
+the simple larder afforded for the entertainment of the strangers.
+
+Clean white linen was spread over the table and refreshments of every
+kind were brought out.  Pretty soon the provision-wagon arrived.  Meat
+and vegetables were unpacked, and preparations were made to prepare the
+evening meal.  The pioneers commenced to take up the paving-stones in
+the yard, in order to make a deep hollow in which to light the fire;
+but Brother Martin rushed out perfectly horrified.
+
+"Herr Captain, you surely will not allow your good people to kindle a
+fire here in the yard? I beg that you will forbid it; there is no
+knowing what mischief might result from it; and besides, it will ruin
+the yard."
+
+"But where, then, can the men cook their supper if it is too dangerous
+here?" asked Alexander, somewhat impatiently.  "The men are wet and
+hungry, and have had no regular meal to-day; they must be permitted to
+prepare something warm to eat."
+
+"Oh, of course," said Martin, with compassion.  "We will not let them
+suffer, and I will gladly allow you the use of a large kitchen, where
+all the cooking for the Brothers is done every day."
+
+The proposition was received with many thanks.  Every convenience which
+the house afforded was offered for the comfort of the men.
+
+"Trautenau," said Hansen, rubbing his hands with satisfaction, "things
+seem very good about here; and if they don't try to convert us, in
+addition, it will be the best place we have found quarters in for a
+long time.  The sneaks have even a glass of choice wine in their
+cellar, and we will forgive Brother Martin's horror of our weapons in
+hopes that he will give us a taste of it.  I thought they drank only
+water, and would be very much scandalized to hear of wine being
+anywhere about their premises."
+
+"Hush your mocking, Hansen, else I will not answer for your being
+allowed to remain in this paradise.  I hope you will not disgrace me
+while I go to seek my sister, before it is too late.  You know we march
+early in the morning."
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+Carmen and her father had been too deeply absorbed in their sorrows to
+observe what was transpiring in the settlement.  The outer world had
+vanished completely from their minds.  Concluding finally to leave
+everything undecided until after the interview between the old man and
+Jonathan, Carmen turned her steps homeward, for it was after eight
+o'clock.  After ascending the steps, she remained standing under the
+arched portico in front of the house, trying to forget herself, her
+father, everything.  She felt as if her own conscience was in some way
+guilty; and then, too, what was to become of her now?  His crime, and
+her duty as a daughter, urged her imperatively into the arms of this
+man whom she thoroughly despised.  There seemed no way of escape.  The
+idea flashed across her brain to renounce her identity with the
+Moravians; but that would be synonymous with total separation from her
+father, for in his present frame of mind, when he was continually
+dwelling on repentance and reparation, he would never tear himself away
+from his old faith.  Leave her father?  Never!  One thought tempted
+her--the thought of Wollmershain and Frau von Trautenau; but she put it
+resolutely from her: she could not, she dared not; she had no claim on
+any one there, and here she belonged to her father.
+
+Ah, how her poor bleeding heart ached!  If she could only weep, perhaps
+it would help to lighten the weary burden which was crushing her to the
+earth; but no relieving tears would come to her burning eyes.  At last
+she sat down on a ledge of the wall near the doorway, to rest in
+solitude a little while, and to try to compose herself before going
+into the house.  It had now ceased raining, and a dimly-burning lantern
+which was hung near by dispelled the darkness in a measure, and threw
+its uncertain rays over the wet stones of the yard, and over Carmen's
+drooping figure.  The streets were perfectly quiet, the water dripped
+monotonously from the roofs, now and then the footsteps of some
+solitary passer-by echoed faintly on the ear, followed by the deep
+silence, broken only by the falling drops.  There was something
+soothing in this great hush of nature; and the gentle dripping seemed
+like a loving voice singing some tired child to sleep; Carmen felt as
+if drawn within a magic circle.  For a long time she sat there, till at
+last she heard a step approaching from the distance, and a man made his
+appearance in the light of the lantern.  Something sparkled and
+glittered on his coat; and as he strode along with quick, firm steps,
+the spurs on his boots clanked.  Carmen saw and heard it all as if in
+her sleep.  Still motionless, she sat staring out into the darkness,
+and her heart, her poor heart, seemed dead and cold.  There! did not
+the stranger enter the portico?  He certainly did; and, as his figure
+became more distinctly discernible in the uncertain light, her pulses
+began to throb violently--those pulses which she a moment ago believed
+would never again beat with lively emotion.  She leaned back closer to
+the wall, and stared at the figure with wide-opened eyes.  As the man
+ascended the steps and saw the shrinking form close against the wall,
+he started, hesitated a moment, and then, putting his hand to his cap
+in greeting, said joyfully: "Fraulein Carmen, can it really be you?  I
+have come, although it is so late, to greet you, and make the
+acquaintance of your father, as I am here only for to-night, and leave
+early in the morning.  Adele told me I would find you here, in the
+house with the portico."  He spoke with a glad tone and put out his
+hand, for at Wollmershain they had parted with a hearty hand-shake, and
+now he ventured on the same privilege.
+
+The girl laid her hand in his; it was so cold and clammy it chilled
+him; and Carmen, as she leaned her head back against the stone wall,
+had such a tired, weary, wretched look that he could not refrain from
+asking with an anxious air: "For Heaven's sake!  Surely some misfortune
+has happened to you!  Carmen, dear Fraulein Carmen, I implore you, tell
+me just one word, that I may know what is the matter, and help you if I
+can."
+
+She had risen slowly and with difficulty, for her knees trembled, and
+she could scarcely stand.  He kept her hand in his as if to assist her,
+and pressed it with gentle warmth.  At the sound of his sympathizing
+voice, the heavy pressure on her tortured heart suddenly gave way, and
+agonized sobs burst from her lips, while a flood of scalding tears
+flowed from her eyes.  Her slender frame shook with the violence of her
+emotion; and as he sought to support her with his arm, her head sank on
+his shoulder.
+
+"Dear Carmen," he pleaded, "do not keep back from me the cause of this
+distress!  You cannot know how I am racked with grief for you.  What
+shall I say to convince you of my feelings?  It troubles me sorely, oh,
+believe me, to find you in such sorrow."
+
+His words seemed to increase the intensity of her grief; and yet how
+those blinding tears relieved her!  What an angel of light he
+seemed--he, of whom she had once thought so differently!  She did not
+repulse him now when his arm encircled her; but leaning on him
+confidingly, she somehow felt that he who held her was a true man; that
+he alone was able to help and comfort her, and that it was a precious
+privilege to have him near in this hour of need.  She could not turn to
+her father for succor; that one great hope had melted away; but in this
+man she knew there was courage, as well as will and the power to assist
+her in her woe.  As he poured question after question upon her, she
+attempted at last to speak.
+
+"They have cast lots for me to-day," she stammered.  "I am forced to be
+the wife of a man I despise--by lot, Herr Trautenau!"
+
+"By lot?" he asked, flushing angrily.  "You, our beautiful, proud
+Carmen, given away by lot?  That is incredible!  Your father will
+surely not permit it!"
+
+"My poor father!" she cried.  "He can take no step to prevent it; he
+cannot save me."
+
+"But!--by heavens, I will not allow such a horrible thing!" he cried
+passionately, and drew her closer to him.  "Carmen, I conjure you, I
+beseech you, not to submit to this shameful custom of your people!"
+
+"No; I would rather die than do it!" she replied, as something of her
+old courage returned to her.  Now that he stood by her, she felt that
+some escape might be possible.  She dried her tears, and raised her
+pretty head, which had rested so wearily on his shoulder, endeavoring
+to free herself from a position which, now that she was calm enough to
+think, had become embarrassing to her.  As she did so, she gave a
+terrified start, for, unheard by either of them, Brother Jonathan with
+his cat-like step had drawn near, and she now caught a glimpse of his
+hated countenance, distorted with scorn and anger.
+
+"Rather die than be my wife?" he asked mockingly, as he approached
+nearer.  "A pleasant answer, surely, for me to listen to!  This is,
+then, the modest, prudish Sister whom I must not presume to touch!  She
+refuses me, an honest man who loves her, and declines to follow the
+rules of her faith, only to throw herself into the arms of a strange
+interloper!  Do you think we will have a Sister among us who bids
+defiance to all the meek love and submission, the decorum and modesty
+which is necessary for a member of our community?  I, as superintendent
+of the Sisters, will now suggest to the Sister in charge that Carmen
+Mauer be expelled from our communion."
+
+Carmen seemed not to hear these severe words.  She breathed heavily,
+but answered not a word, only pressed her hands against her throbbing
+heart and raised her pale face to him calmly and indifferently, not
+seeming to care for his condemnation and threats.
+
+"Fraulein Carmen," said Alexander, as Jonathan ceased speaking.  His
+voice chased all fear from her heart, and she turned her gaze, full of
+trust and confidence, on him again.
+
+"Fraulein Carmen," he continued, "you once told me that only your
+father's or your husband's arm should enfold you.  When my arm
+supported you just now, you suffered it to do so; was it because you
+trusted my honor and love sufficiently to give me the right to protect
+you through all time as your husband?"
+
+She gave him a quick glance of glad surprise.
+
+"Yes," she replied with a firm voice, offering him her hand.  He
+pressed it with passionate warmth.
+
+"Mein Herr," he said coldly, turning to Jonathan, "will you have the
+kindness, as superintendent of the Sisters, to inform them that
+Fraulein Carmen Mauer and her betrothed husband, Captain von Trautenau,
+have gone to her father's apartments; that this lady, on account of her
+betrothal to me, declines the destiny chosen for her by lot; and will,
+moreover, be obliged to leave the community and follow her husband?
+This may perhaps prevent any unpleasant misunderstanding."  He bowed
+stiffly to the astounded Jonathan, drew Carmen's hand through his arm,
+and turned away.
+
+Carmen had listened to his words in such a confused state of mind that
+she was powerless to resist even had she wished to.  What he had said
+almost took away her breath; but as the strength of his arm, so that of
+his will, held her captive, and she would have followed him blindly to
+the end of the world.  But now, when she was about to return to her
+father, she was torn with anguish for the poor sufferer who tarried
+alone in his room.  He must be cared for at once; so, pausing a moment,
+she turned towards Jonathan.  The threat he had hurled at her showed
+the point where she might gain the victory over him, and render him
+powerless to harm her father.
+
+"Brother Jonathan," she said, "you told me that if I was affianced to
+some other man, the validity of the lot would be annulled.  You now see
+that the threat against me is vain, but I would like to relate a little
+occurrence to the Brothers and Sisters which would not tend to increase
+the holy reputation which the pious Brother Jonathan Fricke now enjoys.
+You have been kind to my father up to this time; I beg that you will
+continue to be so in future, for your own sake.  I would not willingly
+inflict any injury upon you; but the slightest hint from him will
+compel me--I think you understand."
+
+Jonathan stood as if turned to stone as Alexander led Carmen away,
+saying:
+
+"Let us go to your father."
+
+When they reached the house, he opened the door and passed in with her.
+
+"Wait a moment," he said, as they stood in the hall.  "I was too hasty;
+the intense desire to save you dictated my impulsive question, and your
+prompt answer was called forth by the rashness of a man who, in all the
+heat of his fervent love, sought to avert an impending danger.  But you
+shall not be compelled thus to resign your freedom.  Tell me now calmly
+if you can love me a little; if otherwise, take back your hastily-given
+word, and after a while, when you can do so with perfect safety to
+yourself, let the world know that our engagement has ceased.  Let my
+love shield you as long as it can; but only if you love me do I want
+you to marry me."
+
+They had been talking in the dark; but now a faint light shone through
+the window and flickered on the girl's little white cap.  It seemed
+like a halo to Alexander; he gazed at it fixedly, as if it were an omen
+of happiness for him.
+
+Carmen had been standing with folded hands; now she raised her arms and
+clasped them gently about his neck.  "I love you with my whole heart,"
+she whispered softly, "and my happiness rests with you alone."
+
+He drew her to his heart with a violent outbreak of passionate love;
+and it was almost as if with a sob that the strong man cried, "Carmen,
+my love, my darling!" and kissed her with all his heart on his lips.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A faint sound of martial music penetrated to Brother Mauer's room the
+next morning, as the troops marched away.  The old man sat wrapped in
+meditation.  A new world of thought had opened to him since last night.
+Carmen, the bride of a stranger!  How very different from any former
+plans or prospects!  He had given his free consent to his daughter's
+marriage, for Alexander had gained his entire confidence.
+
+The resolution and determined will displayed in the young officer's
+bearing reassured him, and dispelled his inward despair and
+helplessness.  A marriage with this man was the only solution to the
+miserable situation; and when Carmen was removed from his immediate
+neighborhood, she would still be nearer than if she was a missionary's
+wife.  But the severance of his child from her faith gave him extreme
+anxiety for her; as, according to his ideas, happiness, prosperity, and
+peace could be found only among the Moravians, in the strict observance
+of their laws and customs.  Was it possible Carmen could be willing to
+forsake all this for a strange man?  He could not grasp the thought.
+Yet when, weeping bitterly, she said, "Father, I love Alexander as
+deeply as my mother did you," there thrilled through him a memory of
+Inez's ardent love, as she clung to him with utter abandon, and found
+her world at his side; and he blessed the union of the lovers.
+
+But Carmen had a very trying interview with Sister Agatha, when she
+went in the morning and imparted to her what had occurred the night
+before, and what decision she had made.
+
+Agatha listened to the girl's words attentively and thoughtfully, and
+an expression of deep sorrow filled her countenance.
+
+"Carmen," she said sadly, "judging from what you say, you have in your
+heart completely cut yourself off from the Lord's mercy and our faith,
+and therefore it is better that things should be as they are, for you
+must not play the hypocrite--anything is preferable to that.  You would
+destroy yourself and be of no benefit to us."  She laid her hand gently
+on Carmen's head, and added: "Go now, dear Sister, and tread the new
+path you have chosen for yourself; and Heaven grant it may not lead to
+misery!  If, however, happiness deserts you, and your heart yearns
+after us, like the thirsty wayfarer in the desert, then return to the
+people of the Lord, that we may help you to return to Him."
+
+She tenderly kissed the maiden's brow, pressed her to her bosom again
+and again, and let her go.  She followed Carmen's lovely form with her
+eyes as she passed through the doorway and left the room; then, folding
+her hands in prayer, she said: "Lord, forgive the child.  A soul which
+was entrusted to me by Thee, which I knew not how to guide aright, has
+been taken from me.  If she goes astray, let mine be the blame, for it
+was my fault; but if she seeks Thee in another path of life, then give
+her Thy peace.  Ah, how much I have still to correct in myself!  Yet I
+would fain do my utmost for the souls Thou hast committed to my charge.
+I praise Thee, and would not think of my trials, if only I am counted
+worthy to suffer for Thy sake."
+
+So Carmen was freed from the fetters she had unwillingly worn for so
+long.  Alexander had arranged with her and her father that she should
+go to his mother at Wollmershain; but the separation from her father
+was a severe trial to her loving heart.  Fate had scarcely united them,
+and already they must part and, knowing what misery it was to the old
+man, it seemed almost more than she could bear.  And yet it must be.
+She promised to visit her father twice every week, and would be quick
+and diligent in her home duties, so as to make her visits longer.
+
+The days were now very lonely without the bright, cheerful presence of
+his daughter; and when winter came, his own dwelling was ready to be
+occupied, but all the zest and pleasure of moving into his new abode
+seemed to have vanished.  He took Sister Ursula, an aged widow, as his
+servant and housekeeper.  How he loved to sit by the window in his
+room, from whence he could look out on the hill where the cemetery was
+laid out!  "The Brothers will soon carry me along that path," he
+thought, "and it will be well for me when the time comes.  I have
+always longed to be laid away in our own God's-acre, among the Sisters
+and Brothers, and enter with them into the joy of our Lord."
+
+He now had also the happiness of having Carmen with him for several
+days at a time.  The house seemed illuminated by her presence, her room
+was close to his, and there she had plants which he took care of for
+her.  There was also a snug little corner where they passed many happy
+hours together.  But with the knowledge of the fearful secret which
+overshadowed her father's life a deeper gravity had come to her, which
+subdued her otherwise exuberant and joyous temperament; and Alexander
+often asked if it was the love she felt for him which had thus checked
+her former cheerfulness.  And this shadow did not pass away when,
+shortly after Christmas, her wedding was celebrated, and Mauer informed
+her that he had divided the fortune left him by Inez from his own
+property, in order to make it over to her daughter, to whom it by right
+belonged.  So the young couple remained at Wollmershain, after
+Alexander had sold his commission and left the army; and Mauer was
+happy in the assurance that his daughter would always be near him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+On a bleak November day, when all nature wore its most dreary aspect,
+the carriage of Herr von Trautenau, now well known in the village, drew
+up before Brother Mauer's door.  The horses had scarcely stopped, when
+the door opened and Alexander sprang out, followed by Carmen, whose
+face bore traces of recent tears.
+
+"Be brave, dear heart!" he said.
+
+"I have you and our darling boy left," she answered with emotion; and
+turning back to the carriage, took a little child from the nurse's
+arms.  She kissed him fondly, and the little fellow clapped his hands
+and crowed merrily at his mother as she held him in her arms.  Then
+from beneath the flaxen ringlets which covered the infantile head a
+pair of large black eyes looked around with wonder at the strange place
+and the dark figure, with the white cap, that stood in the doorway.
+
+Carmen was surprised to see Sister Agatha.
+
+"Have I come too late?" she asked in a tone of anguish.
+
+"No, dear Carmen, he still lives," said the faithful nurse, soothingly.
+"But he is failing rapidly since the attack this morning.  He has been
+so weak of late that we have felt prepared for the end to come at any
+time.  He has been asking anxiously for you since consciousness has
+returned, and Sister Ursula sent at once for me, that I might be with
+him while she went for another doctor, as Brother Jonathan has just
+been summoned to the country to visit the miller."
+
+"How good you are, dear Sister Agatha!" said Carmen, pressing her hand
+affectionately.
+
+They had now entered the house, and Alexander remained in an adjoining
+room, while Carmen went at once to her father.  The bed had been drawn
+close to the window to give him more air, and he was now resting
+quietly, as if asleep, his hands crossed on his breast, and the shadow
+of death on his brow.  Carmen was greatly shocked at the change.
+
+"My darling father, I am here with you; do you know me, your own
+Carmen?" she asked, kneeling by the couch.
+
+At the sound of her voice, he opened his eyes, and a faint, happy smile
+broke over his stiffening features.
+
+"My child--are you here?  Now I am ready to go."
+
+"Father, let us hope God will spare you to us!"
+
+"No, my precious child, let us hope He will, at last, set me free; for
+I long, oh so earnestly! to be at rest.  Carmen, a guilty conscience is
+a scorpion which never ceases to torment, and deals a death-blow to all
+peace and happiness; therefore keep your heart pure, my darling, and
+ever have God's commandments before your mind, so as to avoid sinning
+against them.  Let me persuade you to come back into the bosom of our
+faith, and draw your husband with you.  He could enter the Brotherhood,
+even though he lived elsewhere.  Oh, ensure the safety of your soul,
+under the shelter of our holy religion, so that your life be not
+poisoned with remorse, as mine has been!"
+
+She kissed her father's hand with love and reverence; then raising her
+head, looked in his eyes, which rested on her so anxiously.  "Father I
+promise you I will remain faithful to my God, and endeavor to keep His
+laws."
+
+Mauer sank back on his pillows.  "Brother Jonathan," he whispered,
+after a pause, "has kept my fearful secret; and even though he always
+involuntarily reminds me of it, he has maintained his friendship and
+brotherly love for me until now; but he has never allowed me to forget
+that my wealth must go to the community, as an atonement for my crime;
+so I have specified in my will that, in expiation of a great sin, I
+have left all my money to the commonwealth of the Brotherhood and their
+missions: thus, in benefiting all, to make amends for sinning against
+one."
+
+Carmen silently kissed his pale lips; then, rising, went into the next
+room and brought back with her Alexander and the child.  They kneeled
+beside the dying man, and Carmen asked with tears "Father, bless your
+children!"
+
+"Do you value the blessing of such as I?" he said humbly.
+
+"Yes, my father, I cannot live without it."
+
+Then the old man laid his hands on the three heads and murmured words
+of benediction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+It was four o'clock in the afternoon, and the shadows of twilight began
+to gather on the gloomy sky.  Agatha brought in a lamp, and all retired
+save Carmen; thus leaving her and her father alone together,
+undisturbed.  Mauer lay quiet, with his eyes half closed; while his
+daughter sat holding his hand in a loving clasp, her head buried in the
+coverlid.  In the stillness which prevailed in the chamber of death,
+the door was heard to open, and some one entered noiselessly; but the
+draught caused by the open window closed the door sharply behind the
+visitor.  Mauer opened his eyes at the sound, and looked up vacantly as
+if he did not recognize Jonathan.  Carmen also raised her head; but
+when she saw who it was, she immediately hid her face again, for she
+felt it quite impossible to speak to him now.  Kneeling between the bed
+and the wall, her form was completely hidden in the dark shadow.
+
+"Brother Mauer, I have just returned from the Country, and hear that
+you have been ill.  What is the matter?" asked Jonathan.
+
+At the sound of his voice, the sick man shivered as if from an icy
+breath of wind.  He stared at the physician with dilated eyes.
+
+"Brother Jonathan," he faltered, "the end has come, and the old, dark
+story will be laid with me in the grave.  I know I have sinned
+grievously, but have atoned with a life of repentance and cruel
+suffering for the murder of an inoffensive wife."
+
+As the old man spoke, Jonathan looked at him sharply and searchingly.
+The light of the lamp shone on his altered features, which bore the
+stamp of death.  The physician seized his hand; the pulse was almost
+gone; there was no possibility of saving his life; each moment brought
+the end nearer.  Then Jonathan's hate, revenge, and scorn broke loose,
+and flashed unrestrained from his eyes, which were fixed on the figure
+lying before him.  For twenty years he had hated this man more than any
+other on earth; and for twenty years he had been obliged to put on the
+hypocrisy of love towards him.  What a trial for his hot, seething
+passion!  At the last, the moment had now come when his enemy was in
+his power, and he could throw up his visor and show his real face!  Now
+was the time to crown his revenge, before the object of it passed
+entirely out of his reach forever.
+
+Jonathan glanced hastily around the quiet darkened chamber, to convince
+himself that they were alone.  He saw no one; the faint light showed
+only the pale features of the dying one pressed against the pillow.  It
+was not possible that any one could be there!  Old Ursula, the only
+other occupant of the house, had retired to the kitchen to weep and
+lament; and having passed directly up from the front door to the
+sick-room, he was ignorant of the presence of others in the dwelling.
+
+Then Jonathan gave free play to his wild rage.  "Murderer of your
+wife?" he said scornfully.  "Fool! if it had been only the drops you
+gave her, she would be alive now; but nothing could have saved her.  In
+the hurry of that night, Thomas, being just roused from sleep, gave you
+the other man's medicine, and handed yours to him.  What you had was
+only good for infants; and Sister Julie might have drunk the whole
+bottleful without injury."
+
+Mauer's gaze wandered uncertainly towards the speaker; a shudder passed
+over his dying form, and his brain made a powerful effort to penetrate
+the mists gathering over it.
+
+"I did not kill Julie, and you knew it and never told me?" he
+stammered, with fast-failing voice.
+
+"Certainly I knew it; but did you ever ask me about it?  The other man
+had more forethought than you, and read the label before administering
+the dose to his child; and when he saw the name, he brought it back at
+once.  It was two hours before he could get to my house again, and then
+Thomas had to prepare fresh medicine.  Then I took the opium-drops
+intended for Sister Julie, and jumped on my horse; for although I knew
+she never could recover, I wanted to fulfil my duty as a physician, and
+do all I could to correct my servant's mistake.  But I found her
+already dead; yes, from all appearances she must have been dead several
+hours.  When I asked how that could have resulted from the drops, and
+saw your disturbed countenance, and how you became pale and faint, I
+thought you must have meditated the death of your wife, and with such
+design had given her a double dose which you intended should be fatal.
+I put the vial in my pocket, so that my servant's blunder might not be
+brought up against him or me.  But Mauer," cried Jonathan, in a voice
+of frenzy, "when I stood by Don Manuel's death-bed and discovered your
+guilty love for Inez, while your wife stood in your way, everything
+became clear to me."
+
+"You knew, Brother Jonathan, that I was bearing all the tortures of
+remorse, and yet gave me no word of explanation?" whispered the unhappy
+victim.
+
+"That is not surprising.  Do you know what hate is?  You knew that I
+loved Inez.  Can you imagine how I must have hated you who robbed me of
+her?" continued Jonathan, pitilessly.
+
+"Yes, I knew you looked on yourself as a murderer!  It answered my
+purpose not to have you think otherwise.  It was sweet to me to see how
+this thought tortured you; it was a great satisfaction to know I held
+you in my power, like a butterfly on a needle, which it cannot get away
+from, and yet which remains quiescent and kills it painfully and
+slowly.  Do you think I would not have brought you to justice if it had
+been true?  Surely I would not have failed to do it; but Thomas, who
+knew all the circumstances and was with me in the mission, is here; he
+would have witnessed against me, had I accused you before the public.
+But I knew how to revenge myself on you for having stolen Inez from me,
+and for refusing me Carmen's hand.  Your life must pay for Inez; your
+death will rob Carmen, as you have willed away your fortune from her
+for your supposed crime and left it to our community.  Thus you will
+die at last, filled with regret at having wasted a life in unnecessary
+penance, and your silent lips will now take the old, dark story into
+the grave.  I, however, will always feel an inward sense of triumph and
+delight that it was my foot which crushed you!"
+
+He was silent, and stood with folded arms, looking down gloatingly on
+Mauer.  He did not observe that in the shadow between the wall and the
+bed a head was raised.   Suddenly a dark form rose, shadowy and
+indistinct.  Jonathan grew pale.  "Inez!" he gasped, and shrank back.
+
+"No.  Carmen; who has heard your cruel words, so that the silent lips
+shall not take the dark story of your wickedness to the grave.  Wretch!
+devil incarnate!  Can the earth hold such infamous scum? and has Heaven
+no lightning with which to strike you dead?  Oh, father, my poor,
+persecuted father!  There are no words to tell what you have suffered
+through this man!"  And she threw herself again by the bed, and cast
+her arms about her dying parent.
+
+But a glorious light of heavenly peace had settled on those pale
+features.  With newly-acquired strength, he returned his daughter's
+embrace, raised his hands, and cried with accents of joy: "Child,
+rejoice, praise the Lord with me, for your father can now appear before
+his Judge, innocent of this crime.  Blessed be God forever--amen!"
+
+He stretched out his arms and sank back; one more sigh, as if the
+liberated soul were unfolding its wings to be borne on the breeze to
+heaven, and he lay still and peaceful in his daughter's arms.
+
+With heart-rending sobs, she rained kisses on his hands, his lips, his
+brow; then closing his weary eyes, she whispered tenderly, amid
+scalding tears, "Dear father, sleep sweetly; you have earned it well!"
+
+Some movement in the chamber of death attracted Carmen's notice,
+despite her overwhelming sorrow.  She started up quickly.  Who dared to
+intrude upon her thus?  It was Jonathan, who was trying to make his
+escape from the room.
+
+"Jonathan Fricke!" she cried, drawing herself up to her full height and
+at her call he seemed as if rooted to the ground.  She passed around
+the bed, stepped to the table, and moved the lamp so as to throw a
+brighter light over the calm, placid features of the dead, around whose
+mouth a happy smile still lingered.
+
+"Look on that face!" she said in a voice of command.  Her face was all
+ablaze with righteous indignation, and she stood menacingly, but
+wondrously beautiful, before him, like an avenging angel ready to
+plunge the criminal down into the depths of hell.
+
+"Do you see this holy, peaceful rest?  Will you be able, some day, to
+lie down thus when the Lord demands an account of your life?  You turn
+away your eyes, but you will never succeed in banishing the image of
+this face from your memory; it will haunt you wherever you go, by day
+and by night; its perpetual presence will be my father's revenge here
+below, and his accusation above, before the throne of judgment."
+
+Humiliated and cowed, Jonathan stood motionless before the scathing
+contempt of this noble woman.
+
+"Do not think my father concealed his fault from me," she continued,
+her voice growing deeper and more threatening, as if the indignation
+surging up within her had lent it new power.  "I know everything.  I
+know how it happened; that, in a moment of weakness and temptation, the
+evil spirit drew near and enticed him.  But he sinned in thought only;
+the All-merciful prevented the deed.  How does his sin compare with
+yours, in the eyes of the One above?"
+
+"I beseech you," began Jonathan in a cringing tone, "do not expose me
+to the community."
+
+"Go!" she replied.  "I will cast no slur on my father's memory by
+accusing you.  Vengeance belongs to God alone."
+
+She began to feel her strength giving way.  The terrible agitation of
+her soul had exhausted her powers.  At that moment she looked towards
+the open door which led to the next room, and saw Alexander and Agatha.
+She put her hands out to her husband as if seeking support and comfort
+and as he hastened towards her, she sank half-fainting on his breast.
+
+"Carmen, my darling, my precious wife, this is a heavy sorrow which you
+have borne so long!" he said gently.
+
+Agatha approached the bed and laid a linen cloth over the face of the
+one who had found rest at last.
+
+"Carmen," she said, "your accusation is not needed.  I will witness
+before the elders against this man, that he may no longer remain among
+us with his hypocritical piety and humility."
+
+Jonathan looked at her bewildered.
+
+"Is hell let loose?" he exclaimed, stamping his foot with rage.  "Have
+you all conspired to destroy me?"
+
+"Disturb not the dead with your unseemly words!" commanded Agatha.  "To
+him mercy will be shown; but you, Jonathan, will be condemned here and
+in the world to come.  Go!"  She pointed to the door.  He attempted to
+answer, but she cut his words short and repeated her command, "Go!"
+
+After a moment's hesitation he disappeared out into the darkness.
+
+Shortly after this dreadful scene, the sound of the trumpets announced
+to the people that Brother Mauer was dead; and soon it was noised
+abroad that Brother Jonathan had committed a great crime against the
+deceased, and the council of elders were seeking for him, to bring him
+to justice and punishment.  Great excitement followed among these quiet
+Moravians, but Brother Jonathan was nowhere to be found.  His
+disappearance was considered a proof of his guilt, and wherever the
+Brothers were stationed, in all parts of the world, notice was sent to
+them of Jonathan's crime, so that he would not be able to impose
+himself upon them, anywhere, as a Brother.  He was publicly expelled
+from the faith, and it was decided by the council that the money left
+by the departed to his brethren, as an atonement for his sin, should be
+transferred to his daughter; but the Trautenaus preferred to let it go
+where the will had provided it should.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+With the first snow which fell about this time, a long and severe
+winter set in, which held the world bound for several months in ice and
+snow.  But at last the mild south wind blew with its life-giving
+breath, and melted the icy mantle which had enveloped all things.
+
+The thawed waters of the alder-pond then gave up from its depths a
+disfigured corpse, which had been concealed beneath its frozen surface
+during the severe season.  It was the body of Brother Jonathan Fricke.
+The worthy laborer who chanced to find it was impressed with the idea
+that Jonathan had sought for salvation in its waters.
+
+Had the guilt-laden man lost his way in the fogs of winter, and met his
+death by accident, or was he driven thither by a torturing conscience?
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14523 ***
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99d0920
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #14523 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14523)
diff --git a/old/14523.txt b/old/14523.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab60079
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/14523.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3959 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Sister Carmen, by M. Corvus, Translated by
+Kate Dykers
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Sister Carmen
+
+Author: M. Corvus
+
+Release Date: December 30, 2004  [eBook #14523]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SISTER CARMEN***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Al Haines
+
+
+
+SISTER CARMEN
+
+by
+
+M. CORVUS
+
+Translated from the German by KATE DYKERS
+
+New York
+The Minerva Publishing Company
+48 University Place
+
+1891
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+The first rays of early dawn threw their shadowy light over hill and
+dale, and all nature seemed animated with new life as the fresh spring
+breeze kissed the young blades of grain in the fields.  Ever brighter
+and more glowing grew the eastern horizon, ever more golden the light,
+floating clouds, until at last the dazzling rays of the king of day
+flashed forth upon the expectant world.
+
+With its clear carol of joy, a lark soared upward from her dewy nest,
+singing her morning anthem to the great Creator; and, as if in glad
+sympathy with the happy bird, the many and varied voices of nature
+united in celebrating the resurrection, not only of the sun, but of all
+things, for it was Easter Sunday morning.
+
+Forth from the dwellings of a small Moravian village issued a band of
+simply attired folk, who wended their way through the green fields and
+up the hillside to a spacious wood, where was located a quiet
+graveyard, in which gigantic linden-trees stretched out their leafless
+branches, forming a graceful network overhead.
+
+In the centre of this lovely spot stood an immense stone cross, the
+sign of that Lord whose resurrection was to-day celebrated with the
+sound of trumpets and the voices of the people.
+
+A feeling of holy joy seemed to reign in every heart, as the crowd
+stood grouped around the base of the cross, gazing with reverence at it
+as it now shone bathed in the glorious radiance of the risen sun.
+Presently the music ceased and the soft echoes died away among the
+distant hills, while a clear, manly voice in the midst of the
+congregation proclaimed: "The Lord is risen!"  "He is risen indeed!"
+replied each one joyously; after which the first speaker advanced
+nearer to the cross and addressed a few words to the people:
+
+"My dear brothers and sisters, in accordance with our usual custom, we
+visit to-day our beautiful cemetery, not to mourn for our dead, but to
+rejoice that our Lord has risen from the grave to give us eternal life;
+for with Him shall rise all those who follow in His holy footsteps here
+below.  Therefore, as we put not on the garb of mourning, let us not
+grieve in our hearts when we think of our loved ones who have gone home
+before us, but clasp each other's hands and be glad together, that
+through the blessed Redeemer such happiness has been vouchsafed to
+them.  For His sake, and for the preservation of the true faith, the
+Moravians wandered forth from their fatherland, forsaking the wealth
+and luxuries of this world; but they took with them that which was more
+precious than all else, the pure, unadulterated truths of the Gospel,
+and sought a new country, in which they might dwell, and preserve their
+religion forever.  In the wilds of a strange land they found a
+resting-place; and in the community were retained the old statutes and
+laws, the old forms of worship, the old brotherly love and kindness,
+which from the earliest period had characterized them.  From this
+little seed-corn which was then planted, the Moravians have spread out
+their branches into all parts of the world.  Let us remain faithful to
+the principles which united our forefathers; let us ever hold sacred
+the religion for the sake of which they suffered, and to which they
+firmly adhered, in spite of persecution and peril.  Hold fast brotherly
+love!  Forgive and bear with one another in love, sacrifice yourselves
+for love's sake, suffer and die, in charity with all men,--then are you
+true disciples of the Lord.  Amen!"
+
+The preacher's voice ceased, and the congregation devoutly echoed his
+"Amen."  After a short pause the assembly broke up, with hearty
+hand-shakings and joyful greetings.  In little groups of twos and
+threes they rambled through the beautiful grounds where the loved ones
+were laid to rest.  The members of the fraternity, as they conversed in
+low but cheerful tones, bore a close resemblance to one another in the
+quiet simplicity of their attire.  There was no pretension to ornament
+or style; cleanliness seemed the only adornment sought for, and it
+certainly did reign supreme.  The women and girls wore small,
+close-fitting white caps, the different-colored ribbons on them
+distinguishing the various classes, and giving a very pleasing effect
+to the scene.  The wives were recognized by blue ribbons on their caps,
+and the widows by white, while the older girls wore pink and the
+younger ones bright red.  Gradually all returned to their homes in the
+valley below, where lay the thriving Moravian village.
+
+One young girl, however, remained behind alone, lost in thought and
+quite unconscious that her companions had already taken their way
+homeward.  Leaning against one of the large linden-trees, whose ancient
+trunk completely screened her slim figure, she stood, looking downward
+on the beautiful landscape which lay before her admiring eyes.
+Mountain and valley, forest and field, were bathed in the golden
+sunshine.  Nothing was yet in bloom, but in every swelling bud there
+seemed to lie a foreshadowing of coming glory.
+
+"Sister Carmen, hast thou not noticed that thy companions have returned
+with their elders, and that thou art left alone?" suddenly asked a deep
+masculine voice at her side.
+
+She involuntarily shrank back, as if from fear--was it because she was
+alone, or was she only startled from her dreaming?--and looked timidly
+at the speaker.  He was a man well advanced in years; his hair
+partially gray, but his complexion retaining much of its youthful
+freshness and color; and there was some difficulty in determining his
+age.  Although his brow was thoughtful and his grave eyes habitually
+looked upward with an expression of calm serenity and humble piety, yet
+the curve of his mouth, around which there lurked a peculiar smile,
+contradicted the idea of sanctity.
+
+"Have they really left me, Brother Jonathan?  I had entirely forgotten
+how time was passing, in the tumult of joyful feelings which filled my
+heart," said the girl with a sunny smile.
+
+"It gladdens my heart, dear sister, to know it gives you such great joy
+to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord," he replied.  "Truly it is a
+blessed privilege to be able to lose one's self in the contemplation of
+holy things, and, forgetting the cares of this present life, rejoice in
+the hope of heaven, and be as one dead to every temporal joy."
+
+"But I was not thinking at all of the life beyond the grave, only of
+this present one.  How beautiful it is, and what happiness to be able
+to enjoy it!" she said candidly, as her youthful countenance lighted up
+with a glowing expression of love of life and pleasure.
+
+Hers was a singularly beautiful face, on which the man at her side
+gazed with open admiration.  The close-fitting cap, with its bright red
+bow, indicated that the girl had not yet reached her eighteenth year.
+Here and there peeped out little truant locks of the glossy black hair,
+whose richness and abundance the close covering could not entirely
+conceal or fetter.  The broad, intellectual brow; the delicate,
+pencilled lashes, from the shadow of which shone forth lustrous black
+eyes that flashed with intelligence and spirit; the arched nose, with
+its slightly dilated nostrils; pouting mouth, with full, cherry lips,
+all gave her something of a proud expression, which was, however,
+softened by the beaming smile which so often lighted it up.  Although
+only a faint color tinged her cheek, yet the clear, brunette complexion
+glowed with fresh, warm, young life, and the slender, lithe form that
+leaned with such childlike abandon against the old tree displayed the
+most exquisite symmetry.
+
+"Yes, this present life is certainly very pleasant, dear sister," he
+resumed, approaching yet nearer to her; and he indeed seemed to find it
+so as he contemplated this fair, blooming, delightful young creature.
+"We do wisely to enjoy it, and use it as a means to prepare us for the
+great hereafter, accomplishing that end all the more effectually when
+we love the Lord, and, through Him, one another.   Sister Carmen, did
+you listen to the beautiful discourse on brotherly and sisterly love
+which our honored presbyter gave us to-day?" and the speaker bent his
+head so low that she felt his hot breath on her cheek, and his heavy
+hand on her shoulder.  But quickly turning aside and withdrawing from
+his touch, she replied: "Yes, I heard it, and it is indeed a very good
+and proper thing to love one another; but I think it is not always love
+which is called so, or seems so;" and her mouth twitched with a
+repressed smile, as if some secret thought amused her.
+
+"Dear sister, how can you speak thus?" he said.  "Men, it is true, are
+weak, and often swerve from their duty; but we should help each other
+in the spirit of love, so that we may be all united and grow to
+resemble each other in character."
+
+"Resemble each other in character!"  She repeated his words musingly,
+and the gaze from her dark eyes wandered away off, beyond her
+companion.  "Can we ever do that?  God has created us so different; if
+He had wished us all to be alike, would He not have made us so?"
+
+The man looked at her earnestly, and an expression of disapproval
+passed over his face as he answered: "Any one, to hear you speak in
+that way, and not know you as well as I do, would never believe that
+you had lived so long among us and were one of us.  I have known you
+always, ever since you were a wee, toddling thing.  It was in Jamaica,
+when I went to your father from the mission."
+
+Carmen blushed deeply at the rebuke which lay in his words, and, as if
+to atone, said quickly:
+
+"Oh, forgive me!  I am sure I would gladly be like you all if I only
+could.  But I cannot always be calm and serene, as every one else here
+is; and I fear our dear Sister Agatha, with all her endeavors, will
+succeed as little in changing me, as you do in trying to produce the
+same degree of health in every one, even though you be the wise and
+learned Doctor Jonathan Fricke.  Each bird sings after its own fashion,
+and although all are different, yet none are bad.  I cannot believe
+every one is culpable who does not pass through life calmly and
+sedately, as we endeavor to do.  It surely cannot be wrong for people
+to laugh, and dance!  Dance!" and she laughed outright, so that her
+pearly teeth gleamed from between the rosy lips.  "It must be
+enchanting to skip round and round to the sound of merry music!"  She
+had allowed herself to be carried away by enthusiasm, and spoke louder
+than was consistent with Moravian decorum, or suitable to the place
+where she was.  Her eyes sparkled, and the dainty little foot which
+peeped forth from under her dress seemed altogether suited to trip with
+fairy fleetness through the merry mazes of the dance.
+
+One glance, however, at her companion recalled her to the present.  Her
+eyes sank, the little foot was hastily withdrawn, and she wrapped more
+closely about her the dark shawl which had slipped from her shoulders.
+
+"But the time! the time!" she stammered.  "It is getting later and
+later while we are chatting, and Sister Agatha will have good cause to
+be vexed with me."
+
+With fleet steps she hurried through the quiet graveyard, down the
+hill, and along the path which led to the dwellings of the settlement.
+Jonathan stood looking after her, as long as his eye could discern the
+airy, lithe figure.
+
+All pretence of calmness had vanished from his face.  His eyes
+glittered with a strange light and glowed with passionate desire.  For
+a moment the staid, elderly man was transformed into an eager, ardent
+youth.
+
+"She inherits the hot, proud Spanish blood of her mother, and, alas!
+the same fatal, enchanting beauty also," he muttered.  "If I could only
+win her--"  He stopped abruptly, as if fearful of being overheard, and
+began to brush away some imaginary specks of dust from his sleeve.
+Drooping his head into its usual pious attitude, his face assumed its
+former grave expression, and he was again the sedate, quiet Brother.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+A Moravian settlement!  As we enter it, it seems as if we stepped into
+another sphere, so utterly unlike is it to the bustle and hurry of the
+age of progress which prevails in the outer world that presses so
+closely upon its borders, and against which it quietly but firmly
+opposes the bulwarks of its ancient customs, the simplicity of its
+regulations, and the severity of its discipline.  It has no intercourse
+with the tide of human life surging around it.  It seems like a small
+body of Christians, left from the Apostolic age, that after being
+buried for centuries has been dug out in later days.  The government of
+the community resembles that of a large family bound together by ties
+of love; all its members are brothers and sisters, divided, according
+to age, sex, and conditions of life, into bands called choruses, at the
+head of each an elder, either male or female, presiding and
+superintending its spiritual affairs and enforcing its daily
+discipline.  Each elder gives in a report of all that occurs in the
+chorus to the Conference, as this is the chief board of management in
+the society.  There is, therefore, nothing which transpires in the life
+of any individual that is not brought before this tribunal.
+
+About ten o'clock one morning, an elegant carriage, drawn by two
+spirited horses, passed through the quiet, scrupulously clean streets
+of the settlement, and drew up at the door of the hotel, or, as they
+call it, the general lodging-house; and from the vehicle sprang a young
+and very distinguished-looking gentleman with erect, military bearing
+and noble features.  He was followed by a lady, and a young girl of
+about twelve years of age, and a tall, lanky lad who had not yet lost
+his boyish awkwardness.
+
+"Unharness and take the trunk to the Sisters' house," said the
+gentleman to the coachman.
+
+The newly-arrived guests entered the sitting-room, which was entirely
+unoccupied, and whose clean, freshly-sanded floor seemed almost to
+shine with a consciousness of its own spotlessness.  The host, a quiet
+old man, entered to receive their commands, which he attended to in
+person.  Everything was done silently; not even the plates and glasses
+rattled as they were placed on the-table; and when all was prepared,
+the man left the room, not attempting, after the manner of hosts in
+general, to enter into conversation with his guests, or to ply them
+with questions as to whence they came, whither they were going, etc.
+
+The lady, a very remarkable-looking woman, was apparently the mother of
+the three others, but seemed young to be the parent of the eldest, who
+had evidently numbered thirty years.
+
+The breakfast, which was excellent and well served, was quickly
+disposed of; and dinner being ordered for two o'clock, the little party
+left the house.  On the street, the same stillness, the same absence of
+people prevailed as elsewhere.
+
+"Do you know the way to the Sisters' house, mother?" asked the young
+man of the lady as they led the way, the two younger ones following
+behind.
+
+"Of course, Alexander," she replied.  "I was here once, some years ago,
+on a visit to President von Karsdorf, and I can perfectly remember how
+full of interest the whole place was, and how pleased the Karsdorfs
+were to think they could end their lives in this peaceful, quiet spot."
+
+"Such extraordinary order and cleanliness seems almost like a matter of
+pride and show on the part of these humble people--as if the inner
+purity of their souls must needs be manifested in this extreme, outward
+neatness," said the gentleman, laughing.
+
+"You are prejudiced against the Moravian character, I know, and yet
+there is so much that is good in them!" argued the lady.
+
+"That may well be so, mother.  I am willing to acknowledge all their
+good qualities," said her son; "but these numerous forms which intrude
+themselves upon every occasion seem like fetters and bonds to free
+souls.  So much unnatural restraint and parade of sanctity is offensive
+to me.  I never could tolerate hypocrites, and such they surely must
+be, although, of course, they would be shocked at the idea; for under
+all this excessive humility, this parade of piety, I venture to say
+there lies much concealed of which we do not dream.  One can imagine
+how much Herr von Karsdorf, an old epicure and man of the world, must
+have dissimulated to conform himself to the manners of this community,
+to be allowed to end his days here."
+
+His mother shook her head.  "I think," she said, "that the subdued,
+pious bearing of the members has become like a second nature to them,
+and is now, therefore, not hypocritical.  Besides, think how excellent
+is the domestic economy of the settlement; how active and prosperous
+they are in trade and various industries.  They have many practical,
+temporal, as well as spiritual objects to which they devote themselves."
+
+"I grant all that; but such immense importance is attached to little
+things.  Their work would be very trifling and ridiculous if attempted
+on a large scale.  It resembles the wonderful industry in an ant-hill,
+unremitting and earnest, but petty labor.  No genius is displayed.
+What great men have arisen from among them?  Who are the distinguished
+scholars and artists which have gone forth from their ranks?"
+
+"And how about their sufferings?" interposed the other, quickly.
+"Their struggles amidst privation and misery, and persecutions of all
+kinds in distant lands, for the sake of their faith, and to rescue wild
+heathens from depravity and barbarism, and win them over to the
+Christian religion?  Do you not deem that a noble work?  Consider their
+admirable regulations as regards education; are they not excellent?  I
+look for the greatest improvement in Adele, as the result of her stay
+here.--But it seems to me I have turned into the wrong street, for the
+Sisters' house is certainly not here!"
+
+"Here come some people at last," replied Alexander--"a girl with a
+child.  They will be able to direct us."  He stepped forward to meet
+the approaching figures, and with a polite greeting begged for
+information.  The young girl dropped a modest courtesy to the stranger,
+and with downcast eyes listened to his inquiries about the way to the
+Sisters' house.  Then she turned to the lady, who had in the mean time
+drawn near, and said courteously: "I am just going hither; may I
+conduct you?"
+
+"You would oblige us exceedingly," replied the lady, kindly.
+
+"What a lovely Sister!  It wouldn't be such a bad thing to be a Brother
+here," whispered Alexander to his mother.  He did not speak too low for
+the sensitive ear of the girl to catch his words, for she blushed
+deeply, and the rosy little mouth curled proudly and defiantly.
+Visibly offended, she turned away from the gentleman, and simply saying
+"Come" to the lady, walked on ahead, leading the little child by the
+hand, and giving no apparent heed to the party behind.
+
+Retracing their steps for a short distance, they turned into a side
+street, and here--wonder of wonders!--were some more people.  A horse
+stood, saddled and bridled, before the door of one of the houses, and a
+man was just in the act of mounting.  He did not seem to be a
+particularly expert horseman, or his steed the most patient of animals;
+for the former displayed his awkwardness in attempting to mount, and
+the latter, as soon as he became aware of his master's intention,
+kicked, and sprang aside.  The man sought to quiet him, patted his
+neck, and once more tried the difficult task of getting on his back;
+but the sight of the approaching strangers now added to his clumsiness,
+and rendered him even more helpless than before.  He had scarcely put
+his foot in the stirrup, when the animal pranced, kicked and reared,
+jerking the reins from his owner's hands, and throwing him down on the
+pavement; after which he started at full speed down the street,
+directly towards the advancing party.  As soon as the horse showed a
+disposition to be restive, the girl had led the child close up against
+the side of the house, and looking back at the strangers following her,
+she observed an expression of contempt on the young man's face, as he
+watched the awkward movements of the Brother; being himself a skilful
+rider and able, with his supple yet powerful frame, to master even the
+wildest horse.
+
+When the man fell to the ground, and the unrestrained animal came
+rapidly onward, the strangers also moved hastily aside.  But the little
+child had, in its fright, broken loose from the girl's hand, and ran
+into the middle of the street to pick up a ball which had rolled from
+its hand.  A cry of horror broke from every lip, and in another moment
+the child would have been dashed under the horse's hoofs as she stooped
+to pick up the toy.  But before the girl could reach the little one,
+the strange gentleman, with one long stride, was on the spot, and had
+seized the child in his arms.  With a firm hand he grasped the reins,
+and brought the terrified beast to a standstill by sheer strength.  It
+all happened so quickly that, looking at the child playing merrily with
+its ball a moment after, one could almost have fancied it was all a
+dream.  The girl, who had turned as pale as death, was leaning against
+the side of the house; but quickly regaining her self-control, she
+hastened to her little charge, saying, with trembling voice, as she
+shyly glanced at its preserver, "I thank you, sir; you have saved the
+little one entrusted to me from great peril."
+
+The unfortunate rider who had been thrown now came limping up, and was
+profuse with his thanks to this "friend in need."
+
+There was such a very remarkable contrast between the two men, as they
+now stood side by side, that it struck the eye of every one present,
+even the young girl's.  The humble bearing and uncouth figure of the
+Brother looked decidedly unprepossessing compared with the tall,
+elegant form of Alexander, which, with all its agility and grace, was
+full of power, as if forged from steel.  Every muscle was still
+strained by the exertion just made; his face was flushed, his blue eyes
+sparkled with the fire of inward strength of will, and yet the
+expression showed no evidence of agitation, only quiet consciousness of
+power.  While he yet held the reins with his left hand, he assisted the
+other man, who finally succeeded in gaining the saddle.
+
+"A vicious animal, sir," said Alexander to the other, handing him the
+bridle.  "He seems to be skittish, and will not admit of any joking;
+spare the spur, and keep firm hold on the bridle until you are sure of
+yourself."
+
+Thus saying, he stood aside, and man and horse proceeded on their way.
+
+"And, now, if you will be so good, miss, please continue to be our
+guide," he said, turning toward the girl.
+
+They soon reached the Sisters' house.  "Ah, yes, this is the very
+place!" cried the lady, joyfully.  "Thank you most sincerely for your
+courtesy, dear child.  Will you kindly tell us which door to enter?  We
+gave notice by letter of our coming, and are expected.  I am Frau von
+Trautenau; these are my two sons, and this is my little daughter, whom
+I am bringing to stay here."  She offered her hand cordially to the
+girl, and looked kindly at her beautiful face.
+
+"I beg that you wilt enter this way, into the parlor," was the modest
+reply, as the maiden opened a door on the first floor.  "I will inform
+Sister Agatha of your arrival."
+
+It was not long ere the gentle Sister made her appearance.  She was a
+friendly, motherly-looking woman, on whose gray hair was placed a cap
+with a pink bow, the badge of the unmarried Sisters.  She greeted the
+visitors with dignified cordiality.
+
+"Forgive me for bringing my entire family, and allow me to present each
+member to you," said Frau von Trautenau, after the first words of
+welcome.
+
+"My stepson Alexander, captain of infantry, and my trusty adviser and
+support since my husband's death; my son Hans, and my daughter Adele,
+your pupil from this time forward, whom I commend most earnestly to
+your kindness and care."
+
+Sister Agatha took the child most affectionately in her arms, and
+pressing a kiss on her brow, said sweetly:
+
+"You must confide in me, dear child, as if I were your mother, and I
+will consider you a sacred trust committed to me.  We are all a large
+family of Sisters here, who love one another, learning cheerfully and
+working diligently.  'Pray and work!'  This golden proverb is our motto
+through the day, and the love and industry which you will see
+everywhere will soon teach you to feel at home among us."
+
+"I live, as you know, in the neighborhood," said Frau von Trautenau, as
+Adele looked up tearfully.  "Our estate, Wollmershain Grove, is only a
+few hours' ride from here, and sometimes, if I drive in, you will, I
+suppose, allow Adele to visit us for a little recreation?"
+
+"Oh, certainly, Frau Von Trautenau," returned Sister Agatha--"in
+vacation.  May I now show you our apartments and arrangements, so that
+you may know exactly how your dear little girl will be situated?"
+
+"I shall be delighted," replied the lady.  "Everything here interests
+us, of course, in the highest degree."
+
+With that, they all rose and followed the sister.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+"We require a great deal of room," explained Sister Agatha, as they
+passed along, "as there are separate apartments, not only for the
+pupils, but also for the unmarried Sisters of our community, who are
+not members of a family and yet live and work here with us.  Indeed,
+even those who have families in the outside world often come to us to
+employ their unoccupied time."  So saying, she led her guests from the
+first floor to the second, and from one room to another.  Everything
+was neatly and simply arranged.  The modest dress of the Sisters, with
+their little white caps, their calm diligence in spite of the
+exhilarating air of this bright morning, their quiet gait and subdued
+voices, the deep silence which pervaded the house, gave one the
+sensation of being in a cloister.  Sister Agatha conducted the party
+into the general workroom.  It was built like a deep hall.  At long
+tables sat numbers of girls with every variety of countenance; all
+young, not quite grown, gathered in separate groups, busy with
+needlework or writing.  The elder ones seemed to supervise the younger
+and instruct them in their work.  Amongst these was the girl who had
+acted the part of guide to the strangers.  All rose at the entrance of
+the visitors, and after a moment silently resumed their seats.
+
+"Here you see the children of our members, and our dear pupils, all
+together.  They are sent to us from the most remote colonies and
+missions to be educated, and they very soon learn to consider
+themselves one with us.  Dear Sister Marie," said Agatha, turning to
+one of the girls, "please tell Frau Von Trautenau where you were born."
+The child addressed, a little girl with olive complexion and keen black
+eyes, arose, like a piece of machinery, on being spoken to, and
+replied: "At Paramaribo, in Surinam," and dropped back into her seat.
+
+"And you, dear Sister Genevieve?"
+
+"At St. Jean, in the West Indies."
+
+"And Sister Sarah?" "At Sarepta, in Russia, in the province of Saratow."
+
+"Sister Jacobi?"
+
+"At Batavia, in Java."
+
+"Sister Carmen?"
+
+Similarly to all those called before, Carmen rose also, when Sister
+Agatha mentioned her name; but it seemed an involuntary motion, as if
+in obedience to a command, and then, after a second's hesitation, she
+at once resumed her seat.  During the entire proceedings her glance had
+wandered with painful eagerness, now to Frau von Trautenau, now to her
+eldest son, and had remarked how this questioning of the girls had
+seemed to amuse them.  At last, when her name was called, a deep blush
+suffused Carmen's lovely face, and she could not summon courage to
+answer.
+
+"Dear Sister Carmen!" repeated the Superior, as if she thought Carmen
+had not heard the first call.
+
+"Oh, please---" now interposed Frau von Trautenau, endeavoring to
+assist the girl when she saw her painful confusion.  She stroked back
+from Carmen's brow the curly locks which had escaped from under the
+edge of the little white cap, saying: "Never mind!  I can fancy, from
+her pretty name, that her cradle was rocked in Spain, if not in a still
+more distant and beautiful clime.  Is it not so, dear child?"
+
+There was so much delicate consideration in the tone and manner of Frau
+von Trautenau towards the embarrassed girl that Carmen, with an impulse
+of sincere gratitude, bent over her friendly hand and kissed it.
+
+"Yes, it is so," She said, looking at the lady, with her dark eyes full
+of childlike innocence.  "I was born in the beautiful West Indies, on
+the island of Jamaica."
+
+"Have you been here long?"
+
+"Oh yes, a very, very long time.  I was sent here when only nine years
+old, to be educated, my mother having died some time before; and my
+father left Jamaica a year after I did, to go to the East Indies.  I
+have not seen him or heard from him once since then."
+
+Carmen said all this in an undertone, and her voice trembled, as if
+full of suppressed tears.
+
+"Poor child!  how sorry I am for you!" said the lady, affectionately,
+taking Carmen's hand and pressing it tenderly.  She felt such a deep
+sympathy for the lonely girl that she quickly added: "Since you know so
+well what it is to be separated from loved ones, will you not try to
+interest yourself a little in Adele?  She will perhaps find it
+difficult at first to reconcile herself to this new life."
+
+"Gladly, with all my heart, if your daughter will confide in me!"
+replied Carmen with joy.
+
+A stroke of the clock, which sounded loudly through the quiet house,
+announced the hour of the midday meal.  The girls rose at once from
+their places, and Frau von Trautenau took leave of Sister Agatha,
+taking her daughter with her.
+
+After the departure of the guests, the girls left the room; and as
+Carmen passed Sister Agatha, the latter laid her hand on the girl's
+shoulder, saying gravely, but not unkindly:
+
+"Dear Sister, I would like to speak with you; on your return from the
+love-feast which we celebrate this evening, come to my room, and I will
+have a talk with you."
+
+Carmen looked calmly into the serious eyes of the speaker, where she
+read no small degree of secret dissatisfaction.
+
+"Yes, Sister Agatha, I will come."
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+No apartment could be more simply furnished than that of Sister Agatha.
+It seemed as if she wished to excel in her avoidance of anything like
+unnecessary ornament or comfort.  Three chairs, a table, an
+old-fashioned sofa, a writing-desk, and a chest of drawers formed the
+scanty furniture.  The walls were whitewashed and bare, while at the
+windows were hung plain white curtains.  Above the desk was placed the
+solitary ornament of the room, the watchword for the day.  These
+"watchwords" are texts of Scripture printed on cards, one for each day
+in the year, and distributed to every member of the settlement, so that
+all may meditate upon it, and guide their daily lives by its precepts.
+
+Sister Agatha sat at one of the windows; and with her, his chair drawn
+back into the shadow, out of the bright afternoon sunshine, sat Brother
+Jonathan Fricke, talking in his calmest and most deliberate manner, "It
+seems to me, dear Sister, that the healthy give you more anxiety than
+the sick."
+
+"Because they are the more difficult to help than others; and although
+your visit is principally to the sick, I should like to have your
+advice regarding the case of one in my charge, and whose father was
+your dearest friend."
+
+"You are anxious about Carmen's worldly-mindedness; but ought you not
+to be indulgent, dear Sister, and remember that the child's early
+associations are still holding sway in her heart, and make great excuse
+for her?  Brother Mauer, you remember, went away from the mission to
+his plantation, where, although he did not sever himself from our
+communion, there was not much to remind him of his religious
+obligations.  His last wife, a hot-blooded Creole, could not be
+considered much help as regards keeping the faith.  She loved best to
+swing herself into the saddle and gallop away over the plains.  She
+would sing her glowing Spanish songs to the accompaniment of the
+mandolin; or else she would dance like a fairy, her foot scarce seeming
+to touch the floor as she floated along, to the sound of the tambourine
+played by her old negro duenna.  She was too beautiful for him to
+restrain, in dancing, riding, or anything.  Too beautiful!" he
+repeated, becoming more and more enthusiastic.  "I have seen her often,
+when summoned to the plantation on professional duty as a physician;
+and there was little Carmen, always with her mother, and following her
+in everything.  She learned to dance and sing in true Spanish style,
+and she seemed to feel all the beauty and fascination of it."
+
+Suddenly he paused, as if becoming conscious of his unwonted animation
+under the wondering gaze of Sister Agatha's grave eyes.  Heaving a deep
+sigh, he had again recourse to his old trick of brushing an invisible
+speck of dust from his sleeve, and then continued in the orthodox,
+placid manner:
+
+"It was a fearful sin for a member of our faith to fall into, and
+Brother Mauer should have resisted the temptation.  I spoke to him
+frequently about it, but he had lost all power of self-control.  He was
+too much absorbed in love for his wife, and therefore it was a mercy to
+his soul and Carmen's that this Spanish girl died, and the child was
+placed here, under our discipline, where she may yet be won over to a
+spiritual life," he concluded, and cast a humble, sanctimonious look on
+Sister Agatha.
+
+"Where were you when her mother died?" asked the Sister.  "Were you
+with her?"
+
+"No; she has been dead about ten years, and I left Jamaica some time
+before that, as my health could not stand the climate.  I went from
+there to the northern part of the United States.  From Bethlehem, where
+I remained several years, I went back to the old place, and when I got
+there Carmen was a wee little maiden, and I was told that Brother Mauer
+had left Jamaica for the East Indies."
+
+"Well, surely the Lord called him to be His instrument," interrupted
+Sister Agatha.  "It was wonderful how he was seized with such an
+irrepressible desire to be a missionary.  And as far as we can know, he
+has worked without flagging for the faith.  All news from him has
+ceased for some time now; and is it not strange that he has never made
+any application for money?  He took only a very small sum with him when
+he went on his mission, and the large sum which the sale of his lands
+in Jamaica brought is still in a bank in this country."
+
+"Has he, then, left nothing for Carmen?"
+
+"We receive a certain interest from the money, for her support and
+education," replied Agatha, "but it is, comparatively speaking, very
+little.  The money must have accumulated to an immense sum by this
+time.  If her father is dead, Carmen must be a very wealthy
+heiress--another temptation for her, poor child!  It is strange we hear
+nothing from Brother Mauer.  I feel sure he must be dead--died while
+working for his Lord!"
+
+As she spoke, Jonathan's eyes flashed, and he suddenly lifted his head;
+but remembering where he was, he immediately resumed his usual pious
+bearing, and, when Agatha ceased speaking, said, with something like a
+sigh:
+
+"He was my friend!"
+
+A pause ensued, during which he seemed lost in reflection.
+
+"It does seem as if we have lost him," he continued, "and Carmen must
+be an orphan.  Poor child!  Bear so much the more leniently with her,
+dear Sister; and if from time to time you observe signs of her early
+training, and that her impulses carry her sometimes beyond what is
+quite becoming, remember she will find in me a guide who is ever ready
+to lead her in the right way."
+
+"Truly, you are still the same faithful friend to her father, for you
+have so much consideration for his child," said Agatha, deeply
+affected.  "But believe me, dear Brother, I also love the girl with my
+whole heart, and am the more anxious for that reason, lest her natural
+inclinations may lead her into error.  But to whom shall I direct her
+for guidance, if not to the dear Lord Himself?"
+
+"Surely, my Sister, you say well; and therefore it would be better for
+her to have a helpmate ever at her side, who would remind her of her
+holy calling," returned Jonathan, earnestly.  "Next week she will be
+eighteen years of age, and will then be numbered among the marriageable
+sisters.  It would certainly be the best thing for her to have a
+husband; therefore seek one for her, Sister Agatha; and if you and the
+assembly of elders can find no one better, then will I, for the sake of
+her welfare, give up the freedom of my single life and take her to
+myself, to be to her a faithful protector and husband, for the glory of
+God."
+
+While speaking, he had risen nervously from his seat, and leaning one
+arm on the back of the chair, uttered the last words hastily, as if
+impelled thereto by a sudden overwhelming emotion.  His eyes were fixed
+on the floor, only once in a while looking furtively up, as if to watch
+the effect of his words.  But the Sister's open countenance showed only
+a joyful surprise.
+
+"You would really sacrifice yourself for Sister Carmen's benefit?" she
+cried.  "How can I do otherwise than approve, dear Brother?  You, the
+pious, wise, experienced physician, full of love and kind forbearance
+towards her, and knowing so well, all the while, what is for her good!
+Where in all the wide world could she ever find a better counsellor and
+guide?"
+
+"Nay, say not so, Sister Agatha," he interrupted reprovingly.  "No
+sinful creature deserves such praise; least of all I.  None of us are
+more than humble instruments for good, and have no merit at all of
+ourselves."
+
+"Yet, my dear Brother, we cannot but recognize the good in others,"
+replied she in a gentle tone.  "And I say no more than the truth.  If
+every one as worthy as you had only a portion of your modesty!  The
+sick long for you and praise you as their benefactor; the well welcome
+you everywhere as a friend and adviser.  Let me thank you for offering
+yourself to Carmen, for you have done so with true kindness and love.
+After the feast this evening, I will communicate your proposal to the
+elders; and if they consent to it, then, afterwards, I will speak to
+Carmen on the subject.  I have notified her to come to me, without
+reference to this matter, as I want to make some inquiries about her
+behavior this morning.  But now it is the hour for evening prayer."
+
+She arose, and extended her hand to Jonathan, who returned its hearty
+pressure.  Never had his manner been more humble than it now was as he
+left the room.  But when the door was closed behind him, he stood quite
+still for a moment, and the disagreeable expression of his mouth was
+greatly enhanced by the smile of triumph which lit up his countenance.
+
+"Ah!" he exclaimed under his breath, "beauty and wealth; they will
+indeed compensate for the past."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+When Frau von Trautenau, with her family, entered the spacious
+prayer-room, to be present at the love-feast, the mass of the
+congregation had already assembled, and were singing to the
+accompaniment of the organ.  The lady accepted the places assigned to
+her and Adele by Sister Agatha, but Alexander and his brother took
+possession of an empty bench near the door.
+
+The room presented a strange appearance for a place of worship.  It was
+destitute of any ornament whatever.  The altar, which was at one end,
+consisted of a simple wooden table, on which stood a large crucifix.
+The brothers and sisters sat at long tables covered with white linen;
+but, as usual, the sexes were seated apart.  Each member was served
+with a small cup of tea and a little bun.
+
+After a while the music ceased, and a long prayer by the principal
+elder followed after which another member read a letter from one of
+their missionaries, Joseph Hubner, who was at work in the land of the
+Kaffres.  This letter presented a touching picture of humble
+self-sacrifice and sincere devotion.
+
+Alexander felt deeply moved, and forgot the strange mixture of
+religious exercises and temporal enjoyment which this feast displayed.
+Absorbed in listening, he did not observe that, in his immediate
+vicinity, a singular commotion had arisen, and that a good deal of
+whispering was carried on among the Brothers, as they regarded him and
+Hans with curious glances.  After the reading of the letter another
+hymn was given out; then Hans nudged his brother.
+
+"What is there so peculiar about us?  Everybody is gazing at us so!"
+
+Alexander glanced about, to see if anything was wrong, but could
+discover nothing amiss.  They had quietly and politely partaken of the
+feast when it was offered to them, yet something must be wrong to
+create such a sensation; so he turned to some one sitting near by, with
+the question:
+
+"Are we depriving any one of this seat?"
+
+"Oh no, indeed, my dear sir," he replied.
+
+"So much the better," said Alexander.  "We do not wish to cause any
+inconvenience and I began to fear we were doing so."
+
+"I must ask your pardon," stammered the Brother, with much confusion.
+"It was certainly very rude for us to stare at you so, and yet it was
+the result of the deep sympathy we feel for your brother, who seems so
+young to be a widower."
+
+Alexander gave a searching glance at the speaker, to see if he was
+ridiculing his brother.  Hans a widower!  In spite of his tall stature,
+he showed very plainly that he was but an overgrown schoolboy.
+
+"A widower, sir!" said the young man, slowly.  "My brother is only
+sixteen years old, and is still at school.  In the world we do not
+marry at that age."
+
+"It did indeed seem very strange to me," said the good man, in extreme
+embarrassment; "but being seated among the widowers, we judged it must
+be so."
+
+The two brothers almost laughed out loud, the position was so
+ridiculous.
+
+"Then we are both in the wrong place--my brother as well as I!  You
+must pardon our ignorance of your customs.  I saw the men and women
+sitting apart, but never imagined the widowers had a particular place
+for themselves.  Tell us, pray, where we can sit to be among unmarried
+fellows like ourselves."
+
+"Nay, my dear sir, remain where you are.  The love-feast will soon be
+over.   Brother Daniel, who leaves us to-morrow, to help Brother Joseph
+among the Kaffres, has only to take leave of us before we disperse."
+
+While he was speaking, the whole assembly arose, and one among them
+stepped forward.  He first advanced to the Sisters, and shook hands
+with each one; then passing over to the Brothers, the parting kiss was
+given and received.  And he who thus bade farewell, ere he followed
+Brother Joseph, to share his struggles and hardships, far away from
+civilized life, was the identical awkward, ungainly-looking Brother
+who, in the morning, had made such an unsuccessful attempt at riding.
+
+There is always an intolerable feeling of moral defeat when we see a
+man, whom we have regarded with contempt rise into importance by his
+own merit.  A noble mind at once acknowledges the fact, but a mean
+spirit feels only resentment and spite, with a sense of defeat.
+
+Something like a feeling of shame came over Alexander, as he closely
+regarded the man whom he had inwardly despised, but who now seemed like
+a hero in his eyes.
+
+Seated at the table, opposite to him were the young sisters and pupils
+belonging to the educational department, and among them Adele, seated
+not far from Carmen.  As Alexander casually looked up, he met Carmen's
+sparkling eyes, which seemed to cast on him a look of triumph, as if
+she understood his feeling of humiliation which this moment brought to
+him as a consequence of his contemptuous manner in the morning.  He
+thought he could clearly read in her expression what she fain would
+have said: "You may perhaps ride well, and he cannot; you were not
+afraid to stop the wild horse and save the child's life; but would you
+have the courage to undertake what he has been appointed to do?"  As
+their eyes met, she returned his glance unflinchingly and firmly, but
+he could not prevent his eyes from falling before hers.
+
+Meanwhile Brother Daniel had, in his rounds of leave-taking, approached
+those near to Alexander.  When he reached the latter he hesitated a
+moment, having recognized the person who had come to his assistance in
+need, and a flush of embarrassment suffused his gentle, almost
+effeminate, countenance.  But Alexander, bending down quickly, pressed
+a kiss on the man's cheek, saying heartily: "Farewell, and good luck go
+with you!  Believe me, I thoroughly admire your courage."
+
+The Brother looked at him in surprise, and answered: "Thank you very
+much, sir!" and passed on.
+
+When Alexander again looked toward Carmen, her eyes were moist with
+unshed tears.
+
+"How beautiful that girl is!" thought he.  "What an independent, frank
+spirit speaks from her eyes; what a lovely expression hovers around her
+mouth!  She is like a dazzling star among these quiet people,--as if
+she had strayed away from her own orbit and found herself here,--so
+little does she seem fitted to her surroundings in the little circle in
+which she moves.  I wonder if she is happy here.  A large-hearted,
+generous nature cannot be content to submit to all these restrictions.
+No, she resists them.  I saw that to-day.  But she will never become
+like the others, and pass her life, in quiet submission, by the side of
+a man such as Brother Daniel, for instance."
+
+The leave-taking of the Brother being ended, the congregation received
+the general blessing and dispersed.  The moment had now come when Frau
+von Trautenau and her sons must part from Adele, and many were the
+tears shed on the occasion.
+
+The night grew late; the lamp was lighted in Agatha's room.  Presently
+a gentle tapping was heard on the door, answered by a kindly "Come in."
+
+Carmen entered; and when Agatha, raising her eyes, recognized the girl,
+she put aside her spectacles, and said gently: "Come nearer, dear
+Sister; I was expecting you."  She drew up a chair, but Carmen put it
+aside, and kneeling by Sister Agatha's side, said:
+
+"No, Sister, let me remain here and hear what you have to say, for you
+are going to chide me--I am sure of it."
+
+"Carmen, do you believe I love you?" she inquired.
+
+"Surely," answered the girl, quickly.  "More than any one else here."
+
+"Then you know that my heart grieves when I cannot feel satisfied with
+you," continued the Sister.  "Why are your thoughts constantly dwelling
+on worldly things, and why do you allow yourself to be overcome with
+pride, instead of putting your mind on serious matters, and being more
+humble?"
+
+"You are angry with me, Sister Agatha, because I did not tell from what
+distant land I came.  That is not such a dreadful crime," said Carmen,
+cheerfully.
+
+The serious countenance of the Sister grew yet more grave, and she
+looked severely at the kneeling figure.
+
+"Have you, then, not thought of the text for to-day?" she asked
+reprovingly,
+
+Carmen flushed up quickly; she tried to compose herself, but was for a
+moment at a loss what to say.  She had during the past day been through
+such new experiences; whereas, heretofore, every day had been pretty
+much the same.
+
+Sister Agatha waited patiently for Carmen to become calmer.  At last,
+when she seemed to have forgotten her confusion about the text, Agatha
+said: "Now tell me the watchword."
+
+When the maiden's eyes turned to the usual place for the motto, her
+thoughts seemed to cease wandering, and she repeated the verse
+correctly:
+
+"'Feed Thou Thy people with Thy staff.'"
+
+"Remember, my Sister, the purport of those words.  'Thy people' are
+those who belong to Him; 'with Thy staff' means, with the support of
+His strength.  Carmen, how can the Lord guide you with His staff, if
+you do not bow your will before Him, and try to curb your pride?"
+
+Carmen, as she knelt, had rested her elbows on Sister Agatha's lap, and
+thus supported her head on her hands, while she gazed into the
+speaker's face, thinking earnestly of what she said.
+
+"Do you call it pride, and are you vexed with me because I would not
+tell to strangers what was indifferent, or perhaps amusing, to them?
+Oh, Sister Agatha, is it necessary that we expose ourselves to the
+derision of the world?  We do not serve God by doing that.  And when
+you speak of pride, is it not that very feeling which leads you to
+boast of our having come from so many and such distant lands?  Do you
+not wish to demonstrate by that means how your faith has penetrated
+into all parts of the world?  That is, after all, pride under the garb
+of humility."
+
+Sister Agatha was deeply touched, and remained silent for a moment;
+then rising hastily, she said with a stern manner: "Do not confuse
+trifles with grave subjects.  All that we do, even the weakest, is for
+the Lord's glory and praise, and not our own.  What matter if the world
+scorns us?  If we are the Lord's, He is with us, and we care for naught
+else.  Search your heart, dear Sister, that you neglect not the
+salvation of your soul.  Accept for yourself a helper and guide, so
+that your feet may not stray from the right path.  There is one, whom I
+know, is now ready to offer himself to you, than whom none is, more
+steadfast in the faith.  Brother Jonathan Fricke, the faithful friend
+of your father, honors you most highly when he desires to have you for
+his wife.  To-day he explained to me his wishes on the subject; and the
+elders, to whom I have spoken, give their cordial consent to the
+alliance."
+
+At Agatha's words Carmen grew deathly pale, and listened with wide-open
+eyes.  When the Sister ceased speaking, she sprang up, and turning from
+the gentle eyes which sought hers, said passionately:
+
+"But I will not have him for my husband!"
+
+"Carmen, my dear, you will not have Jonathan for your husband?  You do
+not know what you are saying," cried Agatha.
+
+"Yes, I do, Sister Agatha," answered Carmen, quickly, her large
+lustrous eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.  "Do you know how you
+feel when you come in contact with a reptile, a snake?  When I was a
+little girl, on my father's plantation, I saw one day, under an
+aloe-tree, what I thought was a green twig; and when I grasped it, it
+was a cold, clammy snake, which, in a moment, twined itself around my
+arm.  I could not scream for terror; but Sarah, my mother's faithful
+slave, saw it.  She tore the viper from my arm, and flung it far away,
+among the bushes.  Sister Agatha, when Brother Jonathan comes near me,
+I feel the same shiver go through, and the same feeling of horror
+almost paralyzes my limbs.  I could not endure to have him near me
+always.  I could not say to him, 'My husband'--no, not for all the
+world!"
+
+Carmen grew more and more excited as she went on.
+
+"Perhaps not for all the world," interposed Agatha; "but for your own
+salvation you must do it.  Do not thrust the safety of your soul from
+you in this way.  As Brother Jonathan's wife, you will be a partaker of
+his holy life and good works.  We are not put into this world to please
+ourselves, but to further the progress of the kingdom of God."
+
+"Oh, Sister Agatha, believe me, I will become a nurse for the sick, and
+bear all the hardships and trials of such a vocation; only spare
+me--spare me this one thing!  I cannot give myself to Brother Jonathan.
+You must not--you dare not require it of me!" cried the girl, bursting
+into tears.
+
+"No, Carmen, I will not compel you, although it grieves me for your
+sake," said Agatha.  "Go, now, and on your knees examine your heart,
+lest you may refuse that which is intended for your greatest good."
+And kissing Carmen, she dismissed her.
+
+The hours wore on, and still Sister Agatha remained lost in thought,
+wondering what new ideas had been put into that young head.  "Perhaps
+she was right.  Vanity and pride!  How frightful the words sound!  We
+never know ourselves as well as we do others; so, after all, the child
+has given me a good lesson.  I must look into my own heart more
+thoroughly, and be more severe with myself, before I presume to advise
+and guide other people.  Lord, help me to a right knowledge of my duty
+to Thee!"
+
+She extinguished the light, and sought repose from her anxieties.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+A week passed quietly by, and the excitement caused by Brother Daniel's
+departure had given place to the usual monotonous religious routine.
+During this time things had gone badly with Adele.  Self-control and
+obedience were things entirely new to her, and she felt by no means
+attracted towards the young girls about her, always excepting Carmen.
+The predilection which her mother had shown for the latter had quickly
+communicated itself to the daughter, and Carmen, in return, feeling
+that she could never be sufficiently grateful to Frau von Trautenau for
+her kindness, showed every possible favor to Adele.  This young lady's
+naturally vivacious and merry disposition, which was not at all subdued
+by the calm seriousness which surrounded her, proved a great source of
+amusement to Carmen.  She gladly reciprocated the warm affection
+lavished upon her by the petted heiress, and every letter which reached
+Wolmershain teemed with the pleasure the two friends took in each
+other's society.  Adele told how Carmen had passed her eighteenth
+birthday, and now wore pink instead of red; how Carmen had undertaken
+to teach some of the English classes, and how all the girls loved their
+new teacher, etc., etc.
+
+Carmen's natural cheerfulness had not been disturbed by the
+communication Sister Agatha had made to her in regard to Brother
+Jonathan.  The morning after, Sister Agatha asked if she had considered
+the matter well, and prayed over it; to which Carmen answered in the
+affirmative, but persisted in her positive refusal; to which Brother
+Jonathan submitted with apparent calmness.  If he felt at all
+mortified, he certainly exerted immense self-control, for he seemed the
+same as usual, and his voice was clear and firm; so that Agatha felt
+sure that it was only his great unselfishness which had prompted him to
+entertain the idea.
+
+His profession took him frequently to the Sisters' house, but when
+there he had intercourse only with the nurses and patients.  'Tis true
+he now came oftener than formerly, and at more irregular hours, on the
+plea of looking after this or that which he had forgotten; but as he,
+with silent tread, passed along through the halls, he seldom met any of
+the Sisters, and Carmen never.
+
+To-day had been rainy and wet, but towards evening the sky cleared up,
+and Carmen led little Frieda home from the school-house.  On her return
+she took a roundabout path, and slackened her usually fleet steps to
+enjoy the fresh, balmy spring air.  She passed into a lonely lane,
+bordered on either side with beautiful gardens, whose hedges were
+unfolding their first blossoms, filling the air with sweetest perfume.
+As she stooped to pick some lovely violets which peeped up from the
+wayside, she, all at once, felt as if some one was standing behind her,
+although no footfall had reached her ear.  She raised herself hastily
+from her stooping posture, and as she did so, felt a man's strong arm
+passed around her, and in another second she was pressed violently to
+his breast.  She strove to cry out for help, but voice and tongue
+failed her, as she turned and met Brother Jonathan's burning glance;
+and there seemed to thrill through her, under the touch of his arm, the
+same creeping, numbing horror that she felt when the snake coiled about
+her arm.  But how changed he looked!  His whole countenance seemed
+lighted up by a new expression, and eager, passionate words poured from
+his lips.
+
+"Carmen, so young, so warm-hearted, why can you not respond to a love
+which is offered to you with all the intensity of a true heart?  You
+see in me only the grave, elderly man who wants you for his wife, and
+therefore you reject him.  But, Carmen, under this calm exterior you
+will find an ardent lover, who desires to win you, that he may make for
+you a heaven on earth, and fill your life with such unutterable bliss
+as you have never dreamed of.  Oh, Carmen, do not say me nay; but lay
+your lovely head upon my breast, and believe that my heart throbs
+wildly and deeply for you only.  Look in my eyes, and let the love you
+read there serve to kindle a like feeling in you.  Have you forgotten
+that we must love one another, we Brothers and Sisters?  Give me your
+love, then, my darling, and say you will be mine!"
+
+Rendered powerless to move by his pitiless embrace, she seemed like a
+little bird doomed to death by the irresistible fascination of a
+serpent.  Quickly, passionately, his hot breath scorching her bloodless
+lips, he kissed her again and again.  With a sudden powerful effort she
+tore herself from his arms, retreated a few steps, and turning on him a
+countenance ablaze with scorn and indignation, she cried:
+
+"Back, villain!  How dare you venture to insult me thus?  Approach one
+step nearer, and I will cry out so that heaven and earth will fly to my
+succor."
+
+She stood before him, so proud and haughty, so intensely excited, that
+he dared not venture farther.
+
+"I will not approach you again, Carmen, if it displeases you; and
+forgive my violence just now," he pleaded earnestly.  "But promise to
+give yourself to me, Carmen; you are not by nature cold; you will, you
+must return my love.  Let me teach you what real happiness is; you may
+imagine it, but you cannot come near the reality."
+
+The girl was silent; this antipathy to Jonathan was as old as her
+memory.  In Jamaica he had been an object of aversion to her, yet she
+could give no definite reason for this deeply-rooted dislike.  Every
+one spoke so highly of him that she often blamed herself for not
+feeling more kindly towards one who enjoyed the respect and esteem of
+the whole community.  His piety and temperate habits, his humility and
+devotion to his work, were conspicuous even here.  Of late, he had been
+particularly friendly towards Carmen, which seemed a very natural
+thing, he having been such an old friend of her father's.  But his
+increased kindness only awoke a greater dislike in the girl, so that
+she tried in every way to escape an avowal from him of his feelings.
+She did not consider her refusal to marry him a matter of much
+importance, as she concluded his offer had arisen only from a desire to
+transfer his friendship from the father to the daughter.  His
+unexpected outburst of passion alarmed her, although in her childish
+innocence, she did not fully understand why she felt so deeply
+insulted.  The thought that he had given her a love which she could not
+return made her fearful of hurting his feelings in some way beyond her
+comprehension, and she endeavored to subdue her anger sufficiently to
+answer him.
+
+"Forgive me if I wound you, Brother Jonathan, but I cannot help it.  I
+do not love you as you desire, and I neither deserve nor wish that you
+should have such a warm feeling for me."
+
+"Carmen, you surely cannot mean what you say.  I have taken you by
+surprise.  Calm yourself, and do not make this a final decision."  He
+attempted to approach her again, but the maiden shrank back from him in
+terror.
+
+"I cannot do otherwise," she said firmly.  "Now let me, I pray, go on
+my way in peace.  Sister Agatha must be waiting for me."
+
+At the mention of the Sister's name, Jonathan gave an anxious glance at
+Carmen.  It flashed on his mind what fearful consequences might result
+from his conduct.  He remembered the law of the Brotherhood, which
+required that the members must report the slightest departure from
+strict morality in any one of their number, so that the delinquent be
+reprimanded and excluded once or twice from the monthly celebration of
+the Communion.  Should he give evidence of repentance, and return to
+the right path, he might be restored to his usual privileges; but if he
+should not acknowledge his fault, he must absent himself from the
+society of others, and, in an extreme case, be banished from the
+Brotherhood.
+
+Brother Jonathan, heretofore so strict, and spotless in his reputation,
+to be publicly accused and admonished!  What an appalling example of
+fallen greatness!
+
+At the mention of Agatha's name, he endeavored to resume his habitual
+calmness.  He passed his hand over his eyes, as if to blot out the
+remembrance of the passion which yet burned within him, and gradually
+regained, in voice and manner, a more collected mien.
+
+"You have seen, dear Sister, how our passions sometimes get the mastery
+over us, and how vain are our efforts to subdue them, even though we
+have devoted ourselves to a religious life!" said he, in an humble
+tone.  "If you cannot give me your love, you can at least be silent
+about my feeling towards you, and forget what has just occurred, and
+for which I shall ask pardon from Heaven."
+
+Carmen looked at him, with a feeling of pity.  She had brought so much
+trouble to this man that the thought of it did much towards dissipating
+her ill-will towards him.  With tears in her eyes, she said: "Be easy
+about that, Brother Jonathan.  I will not betray you.  Forget this
+hour, as I will try to forget it."
+
+Then turning away, she hurried, as fast as her feet would carry her, to
+the safe shelter of the Sisters' house.
+
+From this time forth, Carmen's peace of mind was gone.  Her aversion to
+Jonathan was outweighed by her fear of him.  His hot, ardent nature had
+broken bounds so violently and ungovernably that she could not feel at
+all sure it was so quickly subdued.  A deep sense of desolation, came
+over her.  Her mother, lying in the grave, far away on a sea-girt
+island, under a tropical sun; her father, in all likelihood murdered,
+and buried in some foreign land; and she living among strangers, with
+whom she found it utterly impossible to feel any congeniality!  She
+avoided Brother Jonathan, and he seemed to shun her no less
+assiduously.  He had absented himself from one Communion; explaining
+his conduct by expressing an unusual sense of his own unworthiness.
+His calculations were well made: Carmen pitied him sincerely on account
+of the deep remorse he seemed to feel.  How could her pure mind imagine
+it was all hypocrisy!  In the house where he lived with the other
+unmarried Brothers, he maintained the same pious, serious demeanor as
+heretofore.  His patients received the same care and attention as
+formerly, but he looked haggard and care-worn, and Thomas, his faithful
+attendant, whom he had brought with him from the New World, would often
+hear him groan heavily in the night, as if some secret grief preyed on
+his mind.
+
+Carmen could not witness his misery unmoved.  Since the unfortunate
+incident connected with him, her life among the Sisters had become
+doubly oppressive to her.  Like a welcome release from her unpleasant
+surroundings came a request from Frau von Trautenau that Sister Agatha
+would permit Adele and her dear Carmen to spend Whitsuntide with her at
+Wollmershain; an invitation which Agatha gladly accepted for her pupils.
+
+Wollmershain was a large, beautiful estate, which, upon the death of
+its owner, had become the joint property of Adele and her brothers; and
+Frau von Trautenau had resided there since her widowhood, and proposed
+to continue doing so until one of her sons should buy his sister's and
+brother's portion and assume the management of it.  The relations
+between Frau von Trautenau and her step-son had always been of the most
+happy and agreeable kind; he honored and loved his step-mother, who had
+brought him up with the greatest possible care and affection; and she,
+in return placed implicit confidence in his opinions and advice, making
+him her chief counsellor since her husband's death.
+
+Into this beautiful home-life Carmen now entered, as if into a new
+world.  Whereas, the affection between the Brothers and Sisters in the
+"community" had always appeared to her in the austere light of a duty,
+here it seemed like a natural impulse, springing spontaneously from the
+depths of warm and loving hearts.
+
+In all the arrangements of the house and grounds, the idea of the
+beautiful, in connection with the comfortable and useful, was
+everywhere prominent.
+
+The lofty, well-lighted rooms, adorned and furnished with elegant
+simplicity; the smooth green lawns, bordered with lovely flowers of
+every hue; the magnificent avenues of grand old trees, and the
+innumerable, lovely little nooks to be found here and there in the
+park, all breathed a charm which reminded Carmen of what she dimly
+remembered about her father's plantation and hacienda in Jamaica.
+
+Alexander and Hans were also at home for the holidays; and while Adele
+rambled with the latter through park and garden, Carmen, who shyly
+avoided Alexander, was entertained by her hostess, to whose warm
+motherly nature the girl was attracted with genuine, childlike
+heartiness.  It was indeed her society, more than anything else, which
+contributed to Carmen's happiness at Wollmershain, for she felt
+embarrassed in this new kind of life; and the remarks which her
+peculiar dress occasioned were especially annoying.  To avoid being
+conspicuous, she had already laid aside the white cap; but her beauty,
+enhanced by the coils of glossy hair which crowned her queenly little
+head, was so remarkable, so foreign-looking and striking, that she
+seemed like some rare exotic which, in all the luxuriance of its
+loveliness, had been transplanted from the land of palms to our colder
+soil.  There was in her manner an odd mixture of pride and humility,
+dignity and modesty, which gave her all the reserve of a woman and the
+winsomeness of a child.  Perhaps it was the knowledge of the fact that
+the peculiarities of the Sisters elicited so much ridicule from the
+world that caused her to use her pride as a defence and a weapon, when
+in company with any one save Frau von Trautenau.  She always seemed
+ready to do battle with Alexander, and yet he had never by word or deed
+given cause for such a feeling.
+
+"She is full of pluck and mettle like a thoroughbred horse!" said old
+General von Bergen, who, with his daughter and his adjutant, had come
+up from the barracks on a visit.  "It is a pleasure to provoke her; her
+eyes light up so.  Pohlen," he said, turning to the adjutant, "you
+seemed to be unfortunate in your remarks to her during dinner; those
+lovely lips curled as scornfully as if you had seriously offended her,
+and her great eyes glowed like fire, as she looked away off, over your
+head."
+
+The gentleman addressed laughed as if amused.  "And yet I only ventured
+on some complimentary speeches.  I asked if all the Creoles were as
+beautiful as herself.  That was surely flattering enough, and I think
+this little Moravian ought, by this time, to possess some of the
+humility they pride themselves so much on, and not toss her head so
+haughtily and look at me so contemptuously."
+
+The gentlemen were comfortably smoking in the veranda, after dinner;
+and Alexander, who sat on the steps, half hidden by a large
+syringa-bush in full bloom, flushed deeply at Pohlen's words.  In a
+sharp tone of reprimand, he said:
+
+"My friend, Creole is a term which is not at all agreeable to some
+people; for the rest, flattery is often another name for insult;
+perhaps the young lady considered yours as such."
+
+"Do you think so?" drawled out Pohlen.  "That is altogether a new thing
+to me.  A lady of higher quality would at least have known how to
+receive homage offered to her; and a second time I will not put up with
+a rebuff from this Moravian girl, but will treat her as she does me."
+
+Alexander colored with anger, and his blood boiled.  It was only by a
+powerful effort that he controlled himself sufficiently to answer in a
+tolerably calm voice:
+
+"A lady of higher quality?  Higher quality presupposes greater merit,
+and you will do well to bear in mind, Herr von Pohlen, that this lady
+is my mother's guest, and, as such, is under my most special
+protection.  Any mortification or insult inflicted on her is also
+inflicted on me."
+
+"Gentlemen, I beg the conversation may not become serious, but retain
+the bantering tone in which I began it.  Let what has been said lead to
+nothing unpleasant," interrupted the general, in a pacifying manner.
+"Herr von Pohlen will, of course, remember what he owes to the inmates
+of this hospitable mansion.  You two fortunate knights must vie with
+each other as to who shall win the favor of this young maiden, who is
+as beautiful as a dream.  For myself, I lament nothing so much as my
+sixty years, which prevent me from entering the lists with you."
+
+Alexander rose as the old man finished speaking, and as he passed down
+the steps, said:
+
+"If agreeable, let us find the ladies now, General; they are, I think,
+awaiting us on the lawn."
+
+He paused abruptly, for at the foot of the steps stood Carmen, as if
+irresolute whether to advance or withdraw.  She had evidently heard the
+foregoing conversation, for she was very pale and trembled slightly.
+The young officer descended quickly toward her, as she raised her head,
+and calmly waited for him to pass.  As he came up to where she stood,
+she whispered softly:
+
+"I thank you!" and a gentle glance from the beautiful black eyes
+thrilled him with pleasure.  Then seeing the other gentlemen preparing
+to descend also, her face became suffused with blushes.
+
+"I came to find a cushion for Frau von Trautenau," she remarked
+confusedly.
+
+"Allow me, Fraulein Carmen, to take it to my mother," said Alexander,
+coming to her assistance; and he ran back, upstairs, as she hastened
+away.
+
+Games were now arranged on the lawn, and Fraulein von Bergen, a merry
+maiden, soon had every one actively engaged in them.  There were
+familiar ones, which Carmen had often played at school with the
+day-pupils; but how different they seemed here, when the gentlemen took
+part in them!  Carmen could never have been as unrestrained as the
+general's daughter; but she laughed merrily and enjoyed it all,
+contenting herself with allowing Adele to catch her, and carefully
+avoiding any contact with the others.
+
+After a while a drop of rain fell, then another, and at last a hard
+shower drove the party from the open air into the drawing-room; but the
+spirit of merriment had been aroused, and sitting down quietly was not
+to be thought of.
+
+"Come, papa, lead out your war-horse to the front!" urged the general's
+daughter; and the old gentleman good-naturedly seated himself at the
+piano and began thrumming the one, solitary piece he could play--a
+lively galop.  Herr von Pohlen seized Fraulein von Bergen, Hans his
+sister, and the two couples went whirling through the mazes of the
+dance.
+
+Carmen looked on with sparkling eyes; a bright flush of happiness
+colored her cheek, her little foot involuntarily beat time, and her
+lithe form swayed to and fro with a dreamy, rhythmical movement.
+
+"Will you not dance also?" asked Alexander, close beside her.
+
+"Oh, I would like to, above all things!" she replied with a lovely
+smile, her eyes still fixed on the dancers.  "How delightful it must be
+to whirl around so!"
+
+"Will you not try it with me, Fraulein Carmen?" he urged pleadingly.
+
+"I cannot dance; at least, not like that!" she returned, turning her
+beaming countenance towards him.
+
+"Oh, it is very easily learned; just trust yourself to my guidance.
+Put your hand on my shoulder, if you please, and with my arm I will
+hold you firmly as we move around;" saying which, he proceeded to put
+his arm about her waist.  But she drew back, and gave him a horrified
+look.  As yet, no man's arm had encircled her--except Brother
+Jonathan's, during that one dreadful moment of her life.
+
+"I cannot do it--no, it is quite impossible!" she stammered.
+
+"Then you must pardon me for making the attempt," said Alexander, and
+bowed coolly.
+
+"Refused!" whispered Pohlen, mockingly, when he stopped dancing, for he
+had seen Alexander's defeat.
+
+"Yes; but as she knows _how_ to refuse, it is perhaps more to be
+appreciated than when others accept," he replied.
+
+When the family separated for the night, and Carmen had as usual given
+her hand to her hostess, Adele, and Hans, she hesitated a second, and
+then, with a burning blush mantling her cheek, extended her hand to
+Alexander.  Heretofore she had persistently avoided him; but to-day he
+had proved himself her friend and protector, and she felt that some
+reparation was due him for her rudeness in the past.
+
+As she held out the little hand, and wished him "Good-night," she gave
+him a pleading glance, as if to say, "Do not be angry with me!"
+
+His countenance lighted up with surprise and pleasure.  Her eyes, so
+fascinating when flashing with indignation, now seemed irresistible
+when moistened by a gentler emotion; and as he looked into their dark,
+unfathomable depths, he felt as if he would like to gaze forever.  But
+her eyes fell before his ardent glance, and bowing low over the
+proffered hand, he kissed it respectfully, feeling as honored as if a
+queen had allowed him the privilege.
+
+From this night Carmen's intercourse with Alexander assumed a much more
+friendly character; but was, of course, very brief, as only two more
+days remained ere the pleasant party at Wollmershain would be broken
+up, and Adele and Carmen return to their duties.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"Dear old home!  At last I see you again!" exclaimed a lonely
+traveller, as he stood leaning on his staff, and viewed the scene
+before him.  He took off his hat, and folded his hands as if in silent
+thanksgiving.  Footsore and weary he seemed to have paused here to
+refresh himself with the sight of a place so dear to him.
+
+There lay the little Moravian settlement, bathed in the soft glow of a
+summer sunset.  Bright clouds reflected a golden radiance on the
+pointed roofs and windows, and trembled on the bosom of the little
+stream, which, with gentle murmur, flowed at the stranger's feet.  The
+dark shadows of the hills extended down into the valley opening on his
+right, and from the evening mist peeped out the old mill, which he
+remembered so well.  On the meadows around the alder-pond, the evening
+fog wreathed itself into fairy forms, and the fragrance of new-mown hay
+was borne on the breeze.
+
+It was a lovely, peaceful picture, and seemed to affect the man very
+deeply.  And yet he had been in the midst of far grander, more sublime,
+more beautiful scenery than this!  He had crossed the ocean, and
+revelled in the contemplation of its grandeur.  He had dwelt under
+tropical skies, palms and magnolias shading his home, and the boundless
+riches of the West Indian world poured out at his feet.  He had looked
+upon the sacred waters of the Ganges, and gazed in wonder on the
+temples of Benares; had traversed "the home of the snows" on the
+Himalayas; and the ice crown of the Dhawalagiri had frowned on him,
+gigantic and mystical, as he sojourned in the green valleys below, rich
+with banana-groves and rice fields.  He had wandered over Mongolian
+steppes, and the stars of heaven had watched over him as he lay in the
+tent of the nomad; but never, through all, had the yearning for home
+been quenched within him.
+
+"Home!"  How the word recalls long-lost memories!  The mother's gentle
+smile, the father's loving word, as when, in childhood's happy hours,
+we sought the beloved shelter at evening, and betook ourselves to
+innocent slumbers; and, although the child grows to be the gray-haired
+man, yet the sweet memories of peace and love never fade from his
+heart.  What changes life brings to us!  Thirty years ago this worn,
+weary traveller emigrated to the New World.  Then he was young,
+courageous, filled with all the bright hopes which a new life spread
+out before him.  What happiness he had known since then; what sorrow he
+had passed through; and ah, what guilt and remorse he had borne!
+
+And now he was back again--the tall, erect form so bowed down.  Was it
+sorrow, guilt, or exhaustion from the journey?  The once sunny locks
+were white as the snow on the mountains; in the large blue eyes alone
+there were still some signs of his former self remaining.  "Here is the
+dear old place at last!" he murmured to himself, and his bosom heaved
+with suppressed emotion.  The longer he gazed, the more difficult he
+found it to control his feelings, until finally he gave way, and wept
+like a child.
+
+Meanwhile the brilliant hues of sunset had faded away, and with the
+approaching shadows of night the wind rose and played around the
+stranger's hoary head.
+
+"It must be about nine o'clock now, the hour for evening prayer, and
+everything will go on just as in the old days, for there is nothing to
+create a change here.  I will go in, and ask if my child yet lives; and
+if so, there may be one to rejoice at my return."  Thus soliloquizing,
+he put his hat on again, slung his wallet over his shoulder, and
+supporting himself on his stout staff, approached the house.  Very few
+changes had occurred since he had left.  A few new houses had been
+erected, but the old ones remained unaltered, even the one where he had
+formerly lived.  He had inherited it from his father, and had carried
+on the linen trade there until he left with his first wife for the New
+World.
+
+The congregation were returning from the chapel.  Here and there a
+group would gather before one or other of the dwellings, to enjoy the
+mild summer night; and as the old man passed along he greeted a Brother
+or a Sister, and they returned it kindly, but like strangers.  No one
+recognized him, although many looked after him curiously as he
+staggered feebly on towards the Sisters' house.
+
+"That is not the Brothers' house, dear Brother," said a young man,
+addressing him.
+
+"Yes, I know it.  But I know where I am going," he replied, as if
+pleased to find the different roads so familiar to him.  Then he pulled
+the bell at the Sisters' door, and requested to speak with Agatha.
+
+He was ushered into the sitting-room, and as Sister Agatha entered,
+recognized her at the first glance.
+
+"Sister, does Carmen Mauer still live, and is she here?" he asked,
+trembling with intense suspense.
+
+The speaker must once have been a very handsome man.  He bore evidences
+of it to-day, although deep sorrow and bodily as well as mental
+suffering had set its seal on his face and left deep furrows there.
+The burning suns of many climes had bronzed his skin, so that the
+large, clear blue eyes shone forth like stars.
+
+Agatha looked at him inquiringly, and the more she looked the more
+perplexed she became.  "Carmen lives here in this house," she answered,
+at length.  "Can it be possible that you are--"
+
+"Brother Mauer, who you have thought was dead ages ago," he replied
+falteringly.
+
+"Heaven be praised!" cried Agatha, and sank into a chair.  The surprise
+was almost too great for her; but regaining her self-control in a
+measure, she cordially pressed his outstretched hand, and led him to a
+seat, saying: "Let me go and bring Carmen at once, and you shall clasp
+your child to your heart without delay."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+Sister Agatha lost not a moment.  "Rejoice, dear Carmen," she said.  "A
+Brother has just arrived who brings intelligence that your father still
+lives!"  And with a most unwonted excitement in her manner, she led
+Carmen to the door of the sitting-room.  Tremblingly the girl entered,
+and saw by the clear light of the lamp an old, bent man who had, at
+this moment, no power to rise to his feet, but could only stretch out
+his longing arms to his dearly-loved daughter.  The next moment she lay
+sobbing on his breast.  The child had not forgotten the sweet
+expression of those eyes, and she read in the dear features the fact
+that she was not an orphan.
+
+"Father! my dear, dear father!"
+
+His eyes bedewed her brow with tears of joy as with loving tones he
+murmured again and again: "My child! my darling!"  In her warm embrace
+he again felt the happiness which had been denied him during so many
+weary years.  After a little while, he gently turned her face up
+towards him, and examined her features.
+
+"Just like Inez!  You are your mother over again, as I first saw her
+under the palms and fell in love with her.  In you I have found both of
+my lost ones!" he said, and he smiled through happy tears.
+
+"You will stay with me now, dear father?  You will never leave me
+again?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Yes, I will remain here, Carmen, in the dear old home, where I have
+come, a worn-out pilgrim to rest."
+
+"Poor father! how much you must have endured, working so far away from
+us all!  You have been all alone, no one to succor or help you; and
+nothing has been heard of you for so long; all efforts to find you have
+proved useless," said Carmen, as she lovingly stroked the withered
+cheek.  "You had vanished so utterly that they all gave you up as dead;
+only my heart could never believe it.  Why have you never sent us any
+tidings?"
+
+"I did indeed send some, my child, but they never reached you.  I was
+on the banks of the Ganges at the time, but shortly afterwards I went
+farther into the country, towards the north, attempting to penetrate a
+defile in the Himalayas.  There the savages seized me and made me a
+slave.  For years I have served in the most menial and degrading
+capacity; my tired back often bruised with their lashes, and only the
+stony ground on which to rest.  At length I escaped on horseback, and
+succeeded in reaching the Mongolian steppes.  There I have been
+wandering about, with various tribes, for two years; have tended their
+flocks and performed the commonest labor; all the time trying to teach
+them the Gospel.  But only the spirit of unrest reigned within me, and
+an intense longing impelled me to turn my face homeward.  So I took my
+staff and passed on foot through Siberia, into Russia, begging my way
+from door to door.  I, who possess hundreds of thousands!  Finally I
+reached Sarepta, ragged and barefooted, and almost dead from
+exhaustion.  There the Brothers wanted me to remain with them, to be
+nursed and cared for; but this uncontrollable longing did not suffer me
+to tarry.  After reaching Europe I felt as if I was on the threshold of
+home, and I grew more impatient than ever.  I obtained a loan of money
+from the Brothers, and was thus enabled to ride the rest of the
+journey, and get some suitable clothing; but I sickened on the road and
+was forced to lay up in a Polish town, where I remained until nearly
+all my money was gone.  Afterwards I was again obliged to travel on
+foot--and here I am.  Now all will go well, since I am again at home,"
+he concluded, smiling contentedly at the last thought.
+
+Sister Agatha had, meanwhile, brought refreshments for the weary old
+man.  What a heart-felt joy, this first meal with his daughter in the
+old familiar room!  And how much he had to relate, while regaling
+himself, of wonders and adventures in distant lands!  It was very late
+when, strengthened by the good cheer, and comforted by the presence of
+his child, he bade good-night to Carmen and Sister Agatha, and betook
+himself to the lodging-house to seek repose.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+"Have you heard the news?  Brother Mauer, whom we thought dead and
+buried, is here!" passed from lip to lip in the settlement the next
+morning.  The wonderful event occupied every mind, and filled the
+Brothers and Sisters with amazement.  But no one except Carmen had seen
+him as yet.  He had slept until near noon, recovering some of his lost
+strength, and his daughter had sat quietly watching by him during the
+whole morning, so that his first waking glance might fall on her.
+Afterwards they took breakfast together in his room, each recounting
+the occurrences of the past years, and drawing happy plans for the
+future.  He proposed to buy a house in the settlement, and Carmen
+should keep house for him, nothing but death ever separating them again.
+
+Carmen's heart grew light as a bird.  She was so delighted to have her
+father restored to her--so happy in the security of a love which would
+always shelter and protect her!  It would shield her even against
+Brother Jonathan's love, which was so abhorrent to her; and she took
+counsel with herself whether or no it would be best to tell the old man
+all the terror she had suffered a short time before.  Truly a promise
+of silence had been given; but ought she not to make her father an
+exception?  She could not see clearly what was the right thing to do,
+and therefore resolved not to mention Jonathan at all.
+
+The latter had gone on a short journey a few days previously, and she
+would thus have time to consider the matter, and wait for some quieter
+hour in which to make her disclosure.
+
+In the afternoon, when service was held in the chapel, everybody
+hastened thither, intent upon seeing Brother Mauer, and hearing about
+his mission work and adventures.  He sat among the widowers; devoutly
+singing, his eyes cast down, as if he felt that all eyes were gazing
+upon him.
+
+When the hymn was ended, the principal elders and teachers came up to
+Mauer, greeting him with cordial hand-shakings, and leading him, with
+words of hearty welcome, to a more prominent seat, from which he could
+address the congregation.  He bore himself with a firmer carriage
+to-day, and the dignity of his tall figure was more conspicuous than on
+the evening before.  With a happy smile, he let his glance roam over
+the assembly of Brothers and Sisters, many of whom were unknown to him;
+indeed, the large majority were strange, yet he held each and all dear,
+as forming a part of his home surroundings.  As he passed up the aisle,
+between the two elders who conducted him, the door of the chapel
+opened, and a tardy member entered.  It was Brother Jonathan Fricke.
+His manner was even humbler than usual, and his eyes wandered
+restlessly around: perhaps he had heard of Brother Mauer's arrival, and
+was looking for him.  In the centre of the aisle, which was filled with
+people, he met the three men.  Jonathan's glance fell on the tall form
+of his old friend; he stretched out his hand, and said in a low voice:
+
+"Do the dead rise, Brother Michael?"
+
+Mauer shrank back at the words; and as he recognized the speaker he
+grew deathly pale, his eyes dilated with an expression of horror, and
+he staggered forward.
+
+"You here?" he asked hoarsely, and fell to the ground.
+
+A general confusion ensued.  It seemed but natural that the numerous
+greetings should have exhausted the over-weary traveller; and then the
+reunion with his old friend--it really had been too much for his
+strength, and the general feeling of sympathy grew deeper.
+
+As they carried him away Carmen, followed to his room; and after long,
+untiring efforts the old man at last began to revive.  Carmen begged
+that she might be left alone with him, so that when he came fully to
+himself he might be undisturbed and see no one but her, at the same
+time declining all offers of medical assistance from Brother Jonathan.
+
+The girl seated herself by the bedside; and when her father opened his
+eyes, she noticed he looked anxiously around and then whispered:
+
+"Child, who was that I last saw in the chapel and who spoke to me?"
+
+"Do not trouble yourself, dear father.  It was only your old friend,
+Jonathan Fricke," replied Carmen, soothingly, holding his hand in hers.
+She felt a shiver run through him as she mentioned the name.
+
+"I did not know that he was here," he said with a groan.
+
+"Can I help you in any way, dear father?" his daughter asked.  "Are you
+in pain?"
+
+He shook his head in reply, and lay quite still, with closed eyes.
+After a long time he looked again at Carmen in a troubled, sorrowful
+way, and sighed deeply.  "Tell me about him," he murmured.  "I thought
+he was still in Bethlehem, in America; how came he here, and how long
+has he been among you?"
+
+She told him everything, save the one horrible incident that haunted
+her memory.  His extreme agitation made her silent on that point.  When
+she ceased speaking, all was silence in the apartment except the soft
+ticking of the clock.  Occasionally a deeply drawn breath reached
+Carmen's ear; her father had turned his face to the wall, and was so
+quiet and motionless that she hoped he had fallen asleep from
+exhaustion.  Suddenly he began to whisper to himself:
+
+"The old, old story, which will never die!  The idea of home, with its
+sweet repose and calm blessedness, was only a delusion after all!"
+
+"What do you mean, father?" asked Carmen, bending over him.  He closed
+his eyes wearily; and she noiselessly resumed her seat near him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+The next day Mauer was still so entirely unnerved and overcome by the
+events of the day before that it was with the greatest difficulty he
+rose from the bed; and yet it was intolerable misery to remain there.
+All Carmen's persuasions were of no avail; he insisted on getting up
+and dressing; but was quite unable to leave the house, and required the
+most perfect quietness.  She tried to divert his mind, by gentle,
+cheerful conversation, from the sad, gloomy thoughts which seemed to
+oppress him.  It made the girl's tender heart ache, as she looked into
+his unutterably sad face, which only yesterday was beaming with such
+great joy.
+
+At ten o'clock Jonathan came to pay a friendly visit.  Fortunately
+Carmen, who was standing at the window, saw him coming across the
+street towards the house, and warning her father of the approaching
+visit, she could see how he started with terror at the information.
+But he soon controlled himself, and said in a resigned tone: "Let him
+come in.  The sooner I get through all the meetings and greetings, the
+sooner I will have some rest.  I must grow accustomed to seeing him,
+and I feel stronger to-day than yesterday.  I have not seen him before,
+since your dear mother died, Carmen, and life has been one long
+unbroken sorrow since then."  She made a movement to leave the room, so
+that the meeting between the friends should be private, but Mauer held
+her back and pleaded: "Stay with me, my child," as if he could not bear
+to have her out of his sight.
+
+When Jonathan entered, he stood for a moment near the door, and his
+eyes sought to read the expression of the sick man's face.  The latter
+sat with his head resting against the sofa-cushion, and his deep-sunken
+eyes fixed beseechingly on the visitor, as if saying, "Spare me!"
+
+"Good-morning Brother Mauer!" cried Jonathan.  "Are you feeling better
+to-day?"  He held out his hand, into which the other placed his
+hesitatingly, and would have quickly withdrawn it had not Jonathan held
+it fast as he said:
+
+"Let me feel your pulse.  You are still very much fatigued, and your
+hand is as cold as ice."
+
+"Thank you, Brother Jonathan," said the invalid; "I think perfect rest
+is the best remedy.  I have borne many heavy burdens, dear Brother,
+which have weighed me down intolerably; and now that the Lord has led
+me home again, let your pity and sympathy be with me on account of all
+I have suffered."
+
+"Certainly, Brother Michael; it cannot be otherwise.  Your return has
+been a matter of great rejoicing with us all," replied Jonathan.  "But
+I must give you a prescription, that you may gain your strength more
+quickly.  Do not talk too much to-day; some time, later on, you must
+give us an account of your travels."  With these words, he turned to
+Carmen with a searching look, as if to divine how far he might trust to
+her silence.  She purposely avoided his eye, and remained standing at
+the window.
+
+"I will make your father well again, if you will be kind to me in
+return," he said with emphasis.
+
+Then she was compelled to turn and speak.  This man ruled her, in spite
+of her dislike.
+
+"If you can do anything for my father, Brother Jonathan, you will
+please not consider me in the matter, but do it for God's sake and your
+own," she replied calmly.
+
+He drew a chair up to the table, and, seating himself, wrote a
+prescription which he handed to Carmen.
+
+"Have that prepared at once, dear Sister," he said, "and give it to
+your father according to the directions; it will benefit him very much.
+You know, Brother Michael, my remedies are very powerful."  A peculiar,
+sarcastic expression played around his mouth as he spoke, and Carmen,
+whose quick eye perceived it, wondered what he was ridiculing.  Was it
+her anxiety about her father, or was it the old man's weakness?  But it
+came and went like a flash, and he resumed his usual manner as he rose
+to leave, saying to Mauer: "Adieu, Brother.  May the Lord keep you and
+give you a speedy recovery!"
+
+"I will have the medicine prepared at once, father," said Carmen,
+heaving a sigh of relief as the door closed behind the physician.  But
+when she looked at the old man, a chill of anguish struck through her
+heart, for she saw how he had clasped his hands before his face, to
+hide the big tears which were trickling between his fingers.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+Many days passed quietly away after Jonathan's visit.  Carmen's
+soothing, cheering influence seemed to have somewhat allayed her
+father's nervousness, and a calmer, more equable mood seemed to have
+come over him, as his state of health daily improved.  But the nameless
+shadow of a hidden grief seemed to hang over him.  For his wants he
+needed but little; self-denial and sacrifice had grown to be a second
+nature to him, his one earthly wish seeming to be to have a house where
+he and Carmen could live alone together; but as regards others, he was
+open-handed and generous to help wherever it was needed.  It was a very
+difficult matter to find just the right dwelling to suit his taste, so
+he finally concluded to build, renting in the meantime a comfortable
+suite of apartments for himself, while Carmen continued to live as
+heretofore in the Sisters' house; giving the smaller children a few
+hour's instruction, and passing the rest of the day with her father.
+She had regained all her vivacity of manner, for she considered her
+dear father her protector and support; little guessing that it was, in
+reality, quite the contrary, as he looked to her as his stay on which
+to lean.  When alone with him, she allowed her naturally gay humor to
+have full sway, and he would smile contentedly when he heard her
+exquisite voice warbling forth, now a hymn, now a Spanish love-song, or
+when he saw her feet, as if inspired, try a half-forgotten Spanish
+dance, which seemed like a greeting to him from that tropical world
+where he had loved and suffered.  Sometimes she would caress him with
+pretty, fascinating ways, as if her heart longed to lavish on him all
+the tenderness which had been gathering intensity during all the long
+years of separation.
+
+"You are so like Inez!  Gay and merry, like her," he would say with
+emotion, his eyes beaming with love.  Thus she would succeed in
+charming away, for a few moments at least, the shadow which rested ever
+on his brow; and this success gave her a pure happiness she had never
+known before.
+
+As the invalid grew stronger, every one hastened to visit him.  The
+elders wanted a full account of his missionary work in Mongolia, and of
+the religious condition of the heathen in Bengal and the Himalayas; so
+Mauer was at last obliged to consent to give a public narration of his
+experiences.  This could not fail to give him a certain degree of
+importance in the settlement, and it was suggested that he be elected
+to some public office.  But he divested their minds of any such
+thought, and desired to be allowed a quiet and retired life; he was too
+modest and reserved to put himself forward at any time, and now
+anything like publicity was positively painful to him.  Even when
+chatting socially with old friends, he displayed more or less shyness,
+and especially when Jonathan was present.
+
+"A strange sort of friendship!" thought Carmen, as she noticed how her
+father never sought the doctor's society, but, on the contrary, seemed
+to tolerate his company with a kind of bitter endurance, as if he were
+in some secret way the master and Mauer the slave.  Often, when
+Jonathan addressed him, he would suddenly change color and an
+involuntary expression of terror pass over his countenance; then the
+physician's words would assume a slightly scornful tone, and Mauer
+would humbly lower his eyes.
+
+A few days after Jonathan's visit, he inquired how the prescribed
+medicine had affected him.
+
+"Most beneficially," replied Mauer.  "I feel stronger in every way."
+
+"Just as I thought," said the other, smiling kindly.  "I ordered
+fifteen drops, but now you can begin to take twenty; that will not be
+too strong--but positively not more, dear Brother."
+
+Mauer looked up at him with an expression of keenest anguish, and
+gasped for breath; while Jonathan continued to smile at him.
+
+No wonder Carmen thought, "What a strange sort of friendship!"
+
+"It must be with my dear father as it is with me," she said to herself
+by way of explanation.  "He recognizes the snake-like nature in Brother
+Jonathan, but dares not show it; and having been friends in early
+youth, he still loves him in spite of everything."
+
+Weeks and months passed away.  Mauer's house was in process of being
+completed, and he was constantly urging the workmen to have it ready
+for him as soon as possible, as he longed to be settled.
+
+The plan had evidently been drawn on the same simple and spacious style
+of the hacienda in Jamaica, where Carmen's mother had lived.  A wide,
+shady veranda was to extend all around, and a broad flight of steps to
+lead from it to the spacious grounds.  Deep-seated windows were to open
+out on the garden, and elms instead of magnolias must shade them.  But
+the veranda had to be given up, for, when the plan came under the
+observation of the elders, a committee called on Mauer and represented
+to him that such a thing would be a gross violation of the severe laws
+respecting the simple style of building used in the settlement, and
+would give cause for great offence.  The inhabitants of the town must
+be content to live without ostentation and show, abiding by the general
+customs, and conducting themselves as humble members of the faith.
+
+"Just to think: I, an old man, was going to set such a bad example and
+encourage foolish ideas!" said Mauer to his daughter, deeply mortified.
+"When one has been abroad, in different lands, as I have, much that
+belongs to the outside world clings to him when he gets home, and is
+never so noticeable as when he mingles once more with his brethren.
+The renouncing of our own will, and compliance with the wishes of
+others, has all to be learned over again."
+
+"But," cried Carmen, impatiently, "they find impropriety in so many
+things here that one must needs give up thinking, in order to please
+them.  The free spirit within us is so cramped and restricted that we
+cease to be individuals.  It is surely not necessary to make automatons
+of ourselves if we wish to be good.  No; we should choose the right of
+our own free will, because it is right; then we will not fail to do
+what is pleasing in the sight of God."
+
+"Free spirit within us!  What do you mean by that?  We are so often the
+slaves of our own desires that our ideas of right and wrong get
+confused, and we lose our own souls thereby," returned her father, much
+agitated.  "We should, therefore, never reject the path which our
+religion requires us to choose, but rather submit patiently, without
+arguing or any wish to rebel."
+
+Thus the building which had been so beautifully planned, and with so
+much pleasure, turned out to be, when finished, just like all the
+others.  But Carmen did not bear the frustration of their cherished
+hopes as calmly as the old man.  Her visit to Wollmershain, although it
+had not given rise to any new tastes or dislikes regarding the home
+customs, had strengthened the long-buried desires which lay within her
+breast, and quickened her natural spirit of resistance to the existing
+state of things.  Frau von Trautenau, as well as the style and manner
+of life at Wollmershain, was peculiarly congenial to her taste.
+Therefore, although the visit had never been repeated, she often lived
+it over again in her thoughts, and in speaking with her father always
+referred enthusiastically to persons and things there.  One day, while
+describing the unrestrained and harmonious life of her new friends, the
+sound of trumpets playing a hymn came wafted in through the open door.
+
+"Who is dead, Carmen?" asked Mauer, listening intently as he sat by the
+window.  "Is that not the dirge of a bachelor Brother?  I remember the
+air, as I do that of all our funeral hymns.  How often, when suffering
+under my bondage as a slave, I have thought that at my death no music
+would be heard.  But now I know that some day the trumpets will tell to
+the other brothers when the heart of old Mauer has ceased to beat."
+
+"Oh, my father, you must not speak thus!" said Carmen, anxiously.  "The
+person for whom the music is sounding is the bachelor Brother
+Christopher Yager, who died yesterday evening.  He was the one who
+spoke in defence of our unmarried sisters in the general council; and
+now some one will have to be elected in his place."
+
+This election followed immediately after the funeral, the elders
+casting votes for those they deemed most suitable for the position.
+The majority were in favor of Jonathan Fricke, who was received with
+universal satisfaction.  No one was more pleased with the result than
+Sister Agatha, who always depended so much on him for advice.  She felt
+that now, being able to entrust the affairs of her department to his
+wisdom and circumspection, his piety and brotherly love, was as if she
+handed her ship over to the guidance of a skilful and able captain.  He
+received the honor with great humility, as a duty laid upon him from
+which he must not shrink, however unworthy he felt to bear the heavy
+responsibility.  Yet in spite of all his apparent absence of pride,
+there was something about him which elicited the homage of the Sisters
+as they gave their promise to be willing to trust him with their
+confidence and follow his instructions.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+Notwithstanding its being the month of September, a burning July heat
+prevailed, and, as a breath of wind would occasionally stir, great
+clouds of dust rose from the streets and lanes of the settlement.  But
+in spite of the intense warmth of the sun, masons and carpenters were
+busily at work on Brother Mauer's house, which was located in a
+pleasant district on the outskirts of the town.  From the windows on
+the first floor, which stood quite high from the ground, one could
+catch a fine view of the broad, sunny landscape.  There was the green
+meadow-land, with its duck-pond, and beyond, round the road to the old
+mill in the valley, the steep path leading uphill to the graveyard, and
+finally, away off towards the south, great masses of dense forest,
+rising one above the other, covering the mountain-sides and shutting
+out all that lay beyond.
+
+"So that will be your room dear father, and this one next to it mine,"
+said Carmen, pleasantly, as she and the old man wandered about in the
+bright morning air over the grounds and through the partially finished
+building which was to be their home.
+
+"How pretty it will be here, father!  I will raise vines all around the
+windows, so that, in summer, a pretty shade will fall in the rooms; and
+even though we are not allowed to have any ornaments, a cabinet of
+books will be here, and by the window shall stand a table with a vase
+of flowers on it, while over there I will make a cosey little nook,
+like the one Frau von Trautenau has in her room.  And then when evening
+comes, dear father, you shall sit by me, and tell me of the snow-capped
+Himalayas, and the wonders of the East Indian world.  Or when the lamp
+is lighted, I will read to you, just as I did to Frau von Trautenau in
+her dear little nook."
+
+"How often you speak of that lady, Carmen!  Is she so very dear to
+you?" asked Mauer.
+
+"Yes, very dear, father," she replied eagerly, and the warmth of her
+feelings betrayed itself in her countenance.  "She was very, very kind
+to me; and with her, I, who was so lonely, felt how good it must be to
+look into a mother's eyes.  I could always turn to her for sympathy and
+advice, feeling sure of being understood; and that was a great comfort
+to me, when I thought you never would return, father.  She is not grave
+and austere, like our Sisters here, but is in all things noble and
+good; and even though she belongs to those who are outside in the
+world, yet anyone following her could not go wrong.  The world!" she
+continued thoughtfully.  "We are all of this world as long as we live.
+How can one set of people consider themselves so much better than the
+others?"
+
+"We do not think ourselves better, child, but on a surer road to become
+so," interrupted the father.  "And yet, even with us, there are no
+insurmountable barriers to keep us from straying into the by-paths
+which lead us away from the goal!" he added, with a sigh.
+
+"Yes father," she said, with a fond smile.  "That is just what I say.
+The right way and the wrong, cross each other everywhere in life, and
+we must ever be striving more and more to distinguish between them."
+
+"May your heart never mislead you, child!" answered the old man with
+emotion.  "One who has lived as long as I have, who has fallen and
+endeavored to make atonement, learns to mistrust the human heart."
+
+"Listen, father; are not those shots?" exclaimed Carmen, excitedly, as
+from a distance were heard, at this moment, several dull reports of
+cannon.  Closer and closer they came, mingled with the cracking of
+rifles; while from the borders of the forest, on the south, clouds of
+smoke ascended and curled in wreaths among the sombre pines, Mauer and
+his daughter went out and took up their station on the lawn, under an
+old linden-tree, from whence they could survey the scene at leisure.
+In the west the sky had become overcast; black clouds were gathering in
+threatening masses, and there was every indication of an approaching
+storm.  Low rumblings of thunder reached the ear from time to time,
+together with the dull booming of artillery.
+
+"What a number of shots!  There must be something extraordinary going
+on!" exclaimed Carmen.
+
+"There are troops practising over yonder in the forest," said one of
+the workmen, who had come out to satisfy his curiosity.  "I hear they
+are quartered in the village on the other side of the woods."
+
+Troops!  What a startling circumstance!  The other workmen, heretofore
+so quiet and diligent, stopped their labors, and gazed with surprise
+and curiosity towards the place from whence the smoke came.  It was an
+almost unheard-of event for soldiers to be in this neighborhood.  The
+Brothers, being conscienciously opposed to the use of fire-arms, had
+been exempted by the government from military duty; and many a one who
+left the settlement to go abroad had never seen a soldier.
+
+Suddenly a flash was seen among the trees, followed by a roar, this
+time louder than before.  Through the openings in the woods could be
+seen the gay colored uniforms, at first singly, then in groups; and
+finally in whole companies.  Bayonets glittered in the sunlight; flags
+and standards waved, and bugles sounded from the distance.
+
+"Oh, there they are!--the soldiers!  How their weapons glitter!" cried
+Carmen, in delight.  "How the cavalrymen gallop to and fro, and how
+their sabres shine!  Just look, dear father, how splendid it is!"
+
+"Yes, when no blood is being shed, one can look at it from a safe
+distance," said Mauer, soberly.
+
+"Yet I don't know but what I would be a soldier if I were a man,"
+replied the girl, excitedly.  "It is, of course, a great sin to commit
+murder; but to fight for the fatherland, that must be a noble
+employment for a man.  It seems to me, father, that a true man would
+stand in the fight and know no fear; who would throw himself into
+danger bravely, face it unflinchingly, and turn it aside by his
+prowess; under whose protection the weak seek for shelter; who has,
+with all his bravery, a gentle, tender heart, and a well-balanced
+mind--a man father, who, like the oak, sways not when weaker trees
+tremble in the storm."
+
+"How is it possible that you know anything about soldiers?" asked
+Mauer, astonished at her enthusiasm.
+
+"I met some of them at Wollmershain," she replied quickly.
+
+"And were they such men as you describe?"
+
+She hesitated a moment.
+
+"No, not all of them.  A man is not always what he ought to be."
+
+"Wollmershain and Frau von Trautenau: between the two, your thoughts
+seem continually to wander, Carmen; everything you say springs from
+that subject, or leads back to it.  You seem to have received very deep
+impressions; deeper, I am afraid, than is good for you."
+
+She did not answer.  Her gaze lingered on the scene before her,
+watching the troops as they began to file off from the forest.
+Suddenly a large body of cavalry wheeled around from a screened corner
+in the woods, and the spectacle became more and more lively.
+
+Carmen's face glowed with pleasure, and her eyes moved restlessly
+hither and thither, as if to take in the whole picture.
+
+"I could sit here all day and watch them," she said.  "It cannot be
+late, father, is it?  Sister Agatha told me, when I came away this
+morning, that I must be back at eleven o'clock for something important."
+
+"Eleven o'clock!" replied Mauer, looking at his watch.  "Why, my child,
+it is almost twelve."
+
+Carmen sprang up quickly.  "Then I must go at once.  What a pity!  I
+want to stay so much.  Adieu, dear father; I will be with you again
+this afternoon."  She embraced and kissed the old man, and hurried away.
+
+Meanwhile an unusual commotion prevailed in the Sisters' house.
+Whenever two met together there was whispering going on; the hands in
+the work-room rested oftener, and the heads were put together for a
+softly-spoken word; the eyes wandered about with inquiring glances, or
+watched the dial of the large clock that quietly ticked on in its usual
+monotonous fashion.
+
+At last the hands pointed to the appointed hour, and eleven deliberate
+strokes chimed forth; whereupon the Sisters began to issue forth from
+every door, and betook themselves to the assembly-room.
+
+Sister Agatha and the recently elected supervisor of the unmarried
+Sisters, Brother Jonathan, stood in the centre of the room, and near
+them the teachers and elders.  When all had entered, and an expectant
+silence prevailed, Jonathan commenced an address to the congregation.
+
+"As you probably already know, dear Sisters, a letter has been received
+from Brother Daniel, at Cape Colony, in which he informs us of his safe
+arrival in the country of the Caffres.  He goes on to tell how he has
+met Brother Joseph Hubner and two other Brothers; and how a little band
+of devout Christians has begun to spring up, which with the Lord's help
+will further the work of rescuing souls from the darkness of
+heathenism, and win them to the truth.  It is a glorious work which
+they have so piously undertaken, and blessed is every one who lends
+them a helping hand.  Nothing is needed in their simple life, except
+one thing.  They have no women to help to lighten the labor, and so
+Brother Joseph begs that his wife Christina, whom he left behind, may
+follow him; and Brother Daniel desires that we choose a helpmate for
+him, who may be sent out in company with Sister Christina.  This
+request is very proper, and a beautiful field of work is thus opened
+for her who will become his wife, as she will be of the greatest
+assistance to her husband.  We now wish, dear Sisters, to draw lots,
+and thereby decide which of you is called to this honor of helping our
+dear Brother in building up the faith; and we are prepared to recognize
+in the result a direct expression of the Lord's will, hoping it will be
+gladly and humbly obeyed."
+
+When Jonathan had finished speaking, and arrangements were being made
+in the usual manner for the drawing, a buzz of excitement arose among
+the Sisters.  Suspense was written on every face, but no one showed any
+fear.  Custom and habit, which govern so completely the feelings of
+people, prevented the Sisters from feeling wounded or alarmed at being
+disposed of in this business-like manner; and therefore they allowed
+the ceremony to go on with cheerful resignation.  Brother Jonathan laid
+down one after another of the drawn papers containing the names of the
+Sisters, while Sister Agatha at the same time let the blanks which she
+drew fall on the floor, waiting until she should turn up the one on
+which was written Brother Daniel's name.  The spirit of humility with
+which it all was accepted, as coming from the Lord, stood written on
+these gentle faces which bore this trial so firmly.  Not a single
+Sister trembled as her name was read by Brother Jonathan.  About half
+the list had been called in this manner, when Jonathan, unrolling
+another paper, looked at it a moment in silence.  He changed color, and
+involuntarily hesitated; but controlling himself, read in the same calm
+voice as before: "Carmen Mauer."  He looked anxiously at Sister Agatha,
+whose trembling fingers tried to open the folded paper which she drew.
+After many futile efforts it was at last unrolled; she looked at it,
+and her hand sank slowly to her side as she read: "Brother Daniel
+Becker."
+
+Hate or love, triumph or despair: which was it that stood so plainly
+written on Jonathan's face?  For the moment he could not master his
+feelings.
+
+"Sister Carmen Mauer!"  The name passed from lip to lip, and echoed
+through the room.  Carmen had endeared herself to everybody, although
+she was so different from them all.  Her sweetness of manner had won
+their hearts, and her unselfishness and kindness had gained her many
+friends.  "Carmen Mauer!" they called, repeatedly, but no answer came.
+Carmen was not present.
+
+"Where is Sister Carmen Mauer?" asked Brother Jonathan, who had become
+sufficiently calm to speak; and something like a gleam of hope lit up
+his features.
+
+"Here," replied a voice half-choked from swift running.
+
+All eyes were turned towards the doorway where she stood; her cheeks
+rosy, and her large black eyes filled with wonder, as she glanced
+rapidly over the assembly.
+
+"Here I am," she repeated, stepping forward.  "Do you wish me?"
+
+Sister Agatha hesitated; she did not know exactly what answer to make.
+How very unfortunate that Carmen should have been late on this
+particular day, thus rendering it impossible to prepare her beforehand
+for what might occur!  Even now Sister Agatha would gladly have spoken
+with her alone, and told her gently about the choice which had fallen
+upon her.  But Jonathan had already advanced to meet the girl.  He had
+resumed his usual manner, and as he fixed his eyes on the unsuspecting
+maiden, there was a certain air of assured triumph in his looks, as if
+he had her now securely in his power.
+
+"Dear Sister Carmen," he said, "you have, by your tardiness, missed
+hearing that Brother Daniel Becker has written to us from the land of
+the Caffres, and has desired us to choose a wife for him.  The lots
+have just now been cast, and the Lord has directed it to you."
+
+"To me?" said Carmen, with an air of perplexity, turning her astonished
+glance on the speaker, as if she did not understand what he was saying.
+
+"Yes, to you, dear Sister," continued Jonathan, with a louder voice;
+"and I hope you will receive this choice humbly, as becomes you, and
+accept your position as Brother Daniel's wife--" he hesitated a moment,
+and then added with emphasis; "if you are not already betrothed to some
+other man."
+
+Carmen's eyes flashed with anger, and she drew herself up proudly.
+
+"Cast lots for me!" she exclaimed bitterly; "disposed of me at a
+chance, as if I were a bale of goods, a lifeless piece of machinery!
+Promised me to a man to whom no impulse of my heart draws me; to whom
+it is quite indifferent whether I or some other girl falls to his
+share--and all in the name of religion!  This is indeed degradation,
+slavery!  It never could be worse among the slaves on the islands whose
+freedom you all have taken so much trouble to secure."
+
+She had spoken with all the passion of her warm nature stirred to its
+depths; and now she stopped, exhausted.  All color had vanished from
+her face; only the lustrous eyes glistened with a dangerous light.
+
+"I will never submit to your inspired decision, and refuse to recognize
+this choice," she said at length.
+
+Every one looked at her in amazement, thunderstruck at this candid and
+straightforward announcement.  All at once, as if she had been struck
+with leprosy, the Sisters shrank back from her--she stood alone in
+their midst; only Agatha approached her, and with an anxious look
+seized her hand.
+
+"Dear Sister," she commenced gently, "you are excited, and cannot
+listen to the higher voice.  Reflect a moment."
+
+Carmen shook her head, and with that peculiar mixture of pride and
+child-like humility which marked her character, she bowed herself
+submissively before her faithful admonisher.
+
+"Forgive me, dear Sister Agatha," she pleaded, embracing her fondly;
+"forgive me if I am constrained to speak in a manner that you think is
+wrong; but I can retract nothing of what I have said.  Let me go to my
+father; he is my natural protector, and he alone has the right to
+dispose of me."
+
+She avoided looking at Jonathan again; it seemed as if this new trouble
+must, in some way, have originated with him; and every pure, womanly
+instinct of her nature felt insulted.  Gently unclasping her arms from
+Agatha's neck, she left the room.  It was not possible to remain longer
+in the house; something impelled her to get out into the fresh air, by
+that means to throw off, if possible, some subtle influence which
+seemed to be weaving a spell over her.
+
+As she hurried along, dark clouds began to scud across the sky
+overhead, and the low mutterings of thunder came from the distance.  It
+may have been the thunderings of nature, or of war--she did not heed
+them; her heart was filled with bitter, rebellious thoughts, and her
+flying feet seemed to skim over the road; nor did she check her hasty
+steps until she was about to enter her father's room.  Mauer sat in his
+arm-chair, absorbed in thought.  She threw herself down on her knees
+beside him, and flung her arms about his waist.  Pressing her head
+against his breast, she said half breathlessly: "Father, protect me!"
+
+He looked at his daughter with a bewildered air.  Only one hour ago so
+gay and light-hearted, and now so utterly unnerved, crouching in
+despair at his feet!  Raising her up, he gazed into her pale
+countenance.
+
+"Heavens above! what has befallen you, my child?"
+
+"Father, they have cast lots for your child!"
+
+"Cast lots?"
+
+"Yes; cast lots, as for a thing that does not live and feel--a toy,
+that has no will of its own, no self-respect; given as a prize to a man
+who is nothing to me.  And it is all done in the name of religion!
+Father, protect me!"
+
+"Cast lots!" the old man repeated, as if his brain could not grasp what
+his ear heard.  "No!  Heaven forbid that such a misfortune, should
+befall you!  It is enough that one of us has suffered and lived through
+such an ordeal.  No, Carmen, be at rest, my darling.  Your father will
+tell the elders that he cannot do without his child."
+
+The faintest shadow of a smile appeared again on Carmen's lips as she
+listened to his comforting words, and she breathed more freely.
+
+"I knew you would help me, my own dear father!  I rejected the choice,
+and hastened to you for support."
+
+"But for whom have they selected you as a wife?" asked Mauer, gently
+stroking her cheek.
+
+"For Daniel Becker, the missionary who, six months ago, went to the
+land of the Caffres.  Oh, father, you will not let me go from you?  We
+will remain together; no one shall separate us--not even this
+Jonathan--"  She involuntarily shuddered.  At mention of that name the
+old man started and fixed his eyes on her.
+
+"Jonathan?" he asked slowly.  "Why do you blame him?"
+
+"Father, I feared to speak of it," she stammered, shocked that she had
+so clearly betrayed herself.  "He is your friend, and you become so
+agitated when he is mentioned.  But you must listen now.  Before your
+return he asked me, from Sister Agatha, for his wife; and after I
+refused him--for oh, father, I cannot help it, I have an aversion to
+him--he pursued me with a wild love that frightened me.  He embraced
+and kissed me against my will, and then begged I would be silent about
+it.  I promised; but that was before I knew I had a father living.  Now
+I have told it, and I am glad you know all about the matter."
+
+Her eyes rested trustingly on him, but she could not catch a responsive
+glance; he kept his head turned away, and looked out into the distance
+with a countenance full of distress and anguish.
+
+"Dear father, are you angry with me?" she asked humbly.
+
+"Not angry, no; but it is a misfortune--a great misfortune," he
+whispered.
+
+At this moment there was a knock at the door; it opened, and Brother
+Jonathan entered.  Father and daughter stared at him without stirring;
+no one uttered a word; no one moved.  Mauer remained leaning back in
+his chair; Carmen did not rise from her kneeling posture, and only
+pressed her head closer to her father's bosom.
+
+Jonathan silently regarded the pair.  Never had Carmen looked more
+beautiful than in this clinging posture--in this outpouring of love and
+confidence.  To see her thus reclining on her father's breast was
+nothing to give rise to jealous feelings, but it increased his longing
+to have her leaning thus on him.
+
+"You are troubled; I know it, and have come to help you," he said at
+last, in his gentlest tones.  "I am sorry, very sorry, that Sister
+Carmen has allowed herself to be so far carried away by her feelings as
+to lose all sense of duty and humility, and to speak such wild words
+before the people.  We must see if things cannot be arranged
+pleasantly.  I will consider what can be done, if Carmen will permit me
+to act at all for her in the matter."
+
+"Dear Brother, spare me my child," pleaded Mauer, with faltering voice.
+"She cannot accept the lot which has fallen on her; she must not go so
+far from me just now, when I have found her again.  I cannot live
+without my daughter."
+
+"You know, dear Brother," returned Jonathan, "we of the faith always
+recognize in the casting of lots the most direct indication of the will
+of Heaven.  Each one must fulfil the duty laid upon him, and not pause
+to consider if it concurs with his own wishes or not.  If Carmen's hand
+is still free, she must follow the call which has been given her.  She
+may not be separated from us forever.  Perhaps in a few years she will
+return with her husband."
+
+"A few years!  Will they be granted to me?" said Mauer, sadly.
+
+"Dear brother, I have already remarked that if Carmen is already
+betrothed, the choice made by lot is null and void, and the elders must
+be requested to give their consent to the alliance she has in view,"
+replied Jonathan, sharply, emphasizing each word.
+
+Carmen's lip curled scornfully as he spoke, and the cutting, scathing
+glance she gave him was enough to wither a braver man than he.  She
+surmised what he was aiming at, but uttered never a word.  Leaning
+against her father's heart, she felt sure of finding there a secure
+resting-place, and a precious sense of sheltering love made her able to
+endure anything.  But her proud glance roused Jonathan's spirit, which
+grew hotter and hotter under his calm exterior.  Would he be compelled
+to give her up?
+
+He could not satisfy himself whether his feeling for the girl was love
+or hate; at any rate, he thought within himself that to bend her pride
+and destroy her fancied security would afford him infinite satisfaction.
+
+"But she is not betrothed," said Mauer, when Jonathan ceased speaking.
+"I, as her father, am the natural guardian of her destiny.  I have the
+right to decide."
+
+"The right, dear Brother?" interposed Jonathan, with a scornful smile.
+"That depends.  It could not be granted to every parent in the
+Brotherhood."  And as the old man before him dropped his eyes, he added
+smiling: "Yet if I asked, for the sake of old times, that you would
+give me Carmen for my wife, would I be able to gain your consent, as
+her father?"
+
+It was a helpless, imploring look that Mauer now directed towards his
+daughter; his hands clasped over hers with a convulsive grasp; his lips
+moved, as if to speak, but no sound came from them.
+
+Carmen looked at her father in perfect amazement.
+
+"Father, dear father, indeed I cannot become the wife of this man," she
+whispered with a beseeching tone.
+
+"Child, cannot you make yourself do it for my sake?" were the words
+wrung from his lips.
+
+"No, never!  Urge me not, my father; it would bring untold misery on
+me, and afford happiness to no one."
+
+A deep flush rose to Jonathan's brow, and anger and disappointment
+completely triumphed over self-control.  "You cannot be my wife, Sister
+Carmen?  Very well; then you will be the wife of Brother Daniel in the
+land of the Caffres.  Do you think I am going to tolerate your
+rebellious, stubborn spirit, which is so unsuitable to a member of our
+community?  Let your father tell you that I have the means in my hands
+to compel you to decide between the two fates!"
+
+As he spoke, Carmen sprang up, and, drawing herself to her full height,
+measured him with a proud, contemptuous look; then, as if unable to
+bring herself to address him, she turned to her father and said calmly:
+"Dear father, speak for your child, and protect her!"
+
+She clasped her hands imploringly; while he shook his head in sorrow
+and grief, but remained silent.
+
+"Father," she cried, "have you nothing to say?"
+
+No sound issued from his pallid lips; the anguish of his soul was
+betrayed only in his eyes.
+
+Burying her face in her hands, Carmen now broke down utterly; and
+Jonathan's evil countenance gleamed with triumph.  As she appeared
+before him, bowed in despair and grief, like some beautiful flower
+crushed by a ruthless hand, his eyes feasted themselves on the lovely
+girl, who was at last humbled and forced to give herself to him.
+
+"You will do well to consider the matter calmly, and give me your final
+decision, Brother Michael.  I will return this evening for it.  We will
+try to help each other in a spirit of brotherly love, and you well know
+I am willing to exercise mercy and patience, as we are commanded; but
+there are times when both must cease."  Saying thus, he left the room.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+Brother Mauer sat alone with his daughter, and a deathly silence
+enwrapped the two, left alone together with their grief.  The sky was
+still dark, with threatening dark clouds, which threw their deep
+shadows over the room, and at intervals a blinding flash of lightning
+illuminated with dazzling ray the bowed figures of father and daughter;
+while loud claps of thunder called to them, as if to rouse them from
+the sorrowful trance.
+
+But they stirred not.  Outside, the rain poured in torrents, and the
+wind swept howling by; but they seemed not to hear.  At last Mauer's
+hand felt its way to the girl's head, and passed lovingly and gently
+over it.  She caught his fingers, as if the very touch inspired her
+with new life; and raising her head, she turned her hot, tearless eyes
+up to him, saying in an inexpressibly sad tone:
+
+"Father, why have you forsaken your child in her hour of need?"
+
+"Because, Carmen, I am powerless before this man," he returned in a low
+voice.
+
+"Powerless?" she asked.  "But how can he have any power over you if you
+do not wish it?  He, a friend, against his friend!"
+
+"Ah, Carmen," answered the old man, "that he has not used his power
+against me before is another proof of his friendship for me; but now,
+when he sees fit to exert it, I cannot prevent him, and must bear it.
+I have already told you that it is a great misfortune that he loves
+you, and you cannot return his affection."
+
+"Father, my thoughts are so perplexed by all this.  I cannot understand
+how any one can have such power over you that you are forced to leave
+your own child unprotected."
+
+Mauer sighed deeply.  Carmen rose, and began to pace restlessly up and
+down the room.  Outside, the thunder-storm raged with ungovernable
+fury; within, the poor girl was endeavoring to quiet the tumult of her
+aching heart, and collect her scattered thoughts.
+
+"Father," she said at last, breaking silence, and seating herself near
+him, "speak, and let me know how and why Brother Jonathan can injure
+you.  What can we do to avert the peril we are in?"
+
+"Carmen, could you bear to behold in your father a culprit, a great
+sinner?"  He looked so crushed, so very, very miserable, that her
+loving heart overflowed with sympathy and pity.  To look at that dear
+face, and see the wretchedness of gulf and remorse written there, wrung
+her heart beyond endurance, and brought the scalding tears to her eyes.
+She threw her arms about his neck, and answered tenderly: "You cannot
+be guilty in your daughter's eyes; and if you appear so before the
+world, I will only love you the more for it, and help you to bear your
+grief, father."  He sobbed aloud, and drew her closer to him.
+
+"It must be God's gracious mercy and pity which speaks to me through
+you, my child.  May He bless you, and for your sake, and my sufferings,
+may He forgive my great sin!  It is indeed an old story of guilt and
+sorrow which I have to tell, and which has weighed heavily upon my
+heart for nineteen long years!  Listen, then, Carmen."
+
+Mauer sat silent a moment, as if trying to refresh in his memory the
+half-faded events of long years ago, and shape into more definite forms
+their outlines, obscured by the mists of time.
+
+At length he spoke.
+
+"Thirty years ago, my child, I left here with my first wife, and moved
+to Jamaica to carry on the linen business, for the Brothers had
+established themselves in business in connection with the mission
+there.  We arrived in May, and were in a short time quite settled.  The
+country and climate are lovely at that time of the year, but during the
+rainy season, when the wet ground sent forth its poisonous miasma, we
+both were stricken down with the fever.  I, being the stronger,
+recovered from the attack pretty soon; but my wife, a small, delicate
+woman, succumbed at once to the fell destroyer.
+
+"For two years I remained a widower, and led a lonely life of hard
+work.  Gladly would I have returned home to Europe, but the business
+once begun was not so easily given up; it would have been attended with
+great losses.  Therefore I wrote home, saying I needed a wife, and
+would like one sent out to me.  I named two Sisters of whom I had
+thought, hoping that one or the other would come to me.  One of them
+was dead, the other married; so the lot was cast among the other
+Sisters, and it fell on Sister Julie.  When my new wife arrived, I was
+greatly shocked.  She was, not only homely of face, but deformed in
+figure.  In spite of my love for the beautiful, I conquered myself, and
+hoped she would be so much the more lovely in disposition.  But hers
+was a narrow, severe nature, from which no congeniality could be
+expected.  She prayed zealously and worked diligently carrying out with
+the greatest precision the rules prescribed for us; but she had not a
+single idea beyond that; and when she was not praying, was peevish,
+suspicious, and avaricious.  For nearly eight years I lived with her,
+my aversion daily increasing.  About that time, as misfortune would
+have it, a friend, who was living in Jamaica, died, owing me a large
+sum of money.  His affairs were left in such confusion that I was
+obliged to receive the plantation as payment for my debt.  I found the
+place in a wretched condition, and, in order to oversee its management
+to any advantage, I resolved to transfer my business in the mission to
+an agent, and move on the place with my wife.  Then came a fatal hour
+for me.  Into my darkened soul, into the comfortless, emptiness of my
+life, entered the power of a great passion.
+
+"A slave belonging on a plantation about two hours' ride from mine, and
+owned by a Spaniard, ran away, and fled to me for protection.  The
+slaves all knew that my laborers were free, and that induced the
+unhappy creature thither.  Don Manuel was not a hard master, but the
+poor wretch had committed a grave fault, and was afraid to go home.  So
+I resolved to ride over and speak with Don Manuel about it.  I reached
+the hacienda of the Spaniard, and as I was about to enter, saw,
+reclining in a hammock under the palm-trees, a slight, delicate figure
+robed in white.  Her arms were thrown above her head, and the lace of
+her sleeve falling back gave me a glimpse of the beautifully rounded
+limb.  The sound of my horse's hoofs aroused her; she glided gracefully
+from the hammock, and looked at me with a curious expression of
+surprise as a quick blush mantled her cheek.  She was scarcely more
+than a child, being only fifteen, but the loveliest, the most
+fascinating creature my eyes ever beheld.  It was Inez--your mother.
+
+"I was ushered into her father's presence, and while discussing
+business with him, watched her on the veranda feeding the peacocks and
+caressing a cunning little black monkey.  I could not turn my eyes from
+her; each attitude seemed more exquisite than the last; each tone of
+her voice sounded like music.
+
+"When I rode away, she was standing under the trees, and waved her hand
+to me in farewell.  Turning after a moment, to see if she was still
+there, I beheld the same lovely picture, which lives in my heart to
+this day."
+
+Mauer paused, affected by his own words.  Before his mind's eye rose
+the past in all its beauty; and a crowd of sweet memories overwhelmed
+him.  Carmen had listened with intense eagerness to his recollections
+of her mother; she had almost forgotten that she was about to hear the
+confession of a great crime.  With a smile parting her lips, she looked
+at her father, impatient for him to proceed.
+
+"How this storm rages!" Mauer resumed; "and yet it is nothing compared
+with the blows they have in the West Indies.  Can you remember them,
+Carmen?  One September, a few weeks after my visit to Don Manuel, the
+sea-breeze lulled, and we were almost suffocated with the heat.  For
+many days the heavens were overcast with leaden clouds, which grew
+darker and darker as they continued to pile up in huge masses; electric
+flashes danced and quivered through them, and a continual rumbling of
+thunder threatened danger, and indicated that the rainy season was
+approaching.  I had been to the mission to look after my business, and
+was riding slowly homeward, through the heavy sultry air, when all at
+once the storm broke over me.  It came tearing down from the blue
+mountains, raging and driving over the savannas in unchecked fury.  I
+put spurs to my horse, in a fruitless effort to reach home before the
+worst came, for I knew full well what would follow this outbreak.  At
+this moment I saw approaching me, at full speed, a white horse, whose
+rider was making hopeless attempts to manage him.  I at once recognized
+Inez, and placing myself across the path, succeeded in seizing the
+bridle and stopping the animal in his mad night.
+
+"No time was now to be lost in bringing the girl home to her father,
+and in such a storm my presence was necessary for her protection.  She
+had been riding alone, as usual, and on the return home her horse had
+taken the wrong road.  The storm became more and more violent; the
+lightning nearly blinded us, and terrified our horses.  The rain now
+began to pour down in torrents, and it was impossible for Inez to
+retain her seat in the saddle.  She remembered a little deserted negro
+cabin in the neighborhood, under a grove of magnolias, and thither we
+fled.  There was no light in the hut; the wind bent the trees down on
+its roof and dashed the rain against its sides, so that we expected
+every moment to be killed.  Inez drew closer to me and trembled
+violently, as I supported her quivering form with my arm.  I spoke
+soothingly to her, as I would have done to a timid child; and as I bent
+over to comfort her, a flash of lightning lit up the place, so that I
+could look into her eyes dilated with fear, and she into mine.
+Then--she kissed me again and again.  Carmen, your mother was one of
+the most innocent, the purest beings on earth; in her heart was no
+impure thought, in her life was no action which could not bear the
+light of day.  But there, under the glowing, tropical skies, blood
+flies quicker through the veins than here in our cool Germany; and from
+childhood to womanhood is but one, sudden leap.  When I felt her kisses
+on my lips, I was taken aback; I had thought of her only as a beautiful
+child, but now I recognized the woman in her, and--I was a married man.
+
+"A sound of anxious hallooing reached our ears.  It was made by the
+negroes which Don Manuel had sent out in search of his child; and as
+the first fury of the storm had now spent itself, we parted from each
+other.
+
+"When I reached home, my unfortunate wife seemed more repulsive than
+ever; in fact, her disagreeable ways, added to her natural homeliness,
+had rendered her almost intolerable.  The memory of Inez's lovely form
+and face, her graceful manner and silvery voice, was ever present with
+me.  I repeatedly told myself how wicked this was, and resolved not to
+call again on Don Manuel, lest I should see her.  But it was impossible
+to banish her image, and day after day the struggle within my soul grew
+more severe.  Thus the rainy months passed away; during which I
+scarcely left home at all, and saw no one but my wife.  One day she was
+taken sick, and soon became so ill that Brother Jonathan, who was the
+physician of the mission, and for whom I sent at once, became very
+anxious.  It was on the fifth day of her illness, and Jonathan had been
+to see her in the afternoon; but in the evening she became much worse.
+She complained so much that about ten o'clock I concluded to ride out
+to the doctor's.  Jonathan was much sought after as a physician, and
+when I reached his house about eleven o'clock, he had already been
+roused up from his sleep by a man who wanted some medicine for a child,
+and who was waiting to have it prepared.  Ah, how I remember every
+trifle, exactly as if it all had occurred only yesterday!
+
+"When I told Jonathan how very ill my wife was, he gave me very little
+if any hope, but said he would prepare a soothing draught for her.  I
+was full of anxiety and in great haste to get back, as was also the
+other man; and when at last Thomas, Jonathan's servant, brought the two
+bottles of medicine, I seized mine eagerly, as I had a long way to go;
+and as I left, Brother Jonathan said to me: 'They are opium-drops; give
+her fifteen when you get home, and if she does not get easy, then two
+hours after repeat the dose.'"
+
+"I sprang on my horse and hurried away.  Jonathan's words seemed to
+ring in my ears: 'I have scarcely any hope of saving her.'  Ah, Carmen,
+they were to me like words of deliverance.  I had borne for so long the
+fearfully heavy yoke which had been laid upon me that at times it
+seemed beyond human endurance; for this woman's soul was almost more
+repulsive than her body.  At last I reached home.  It was twelve
+o'clock.  My wife was suffering as much as ever; she complained
+incessantly of the increasing pain, and I at once prepared the drops
+for her.  She groaned; then I began to count the drops: one, two,
+three, four--and then the thought came into my mind: 'Scarcely any more
+hope.'  My hand trembled; a mist seemed to gather before my eyes.  The
+drops fell, faster; I counted on: thirteen, fourteen, fifteen; a few
+drops more had fallen unawares into the spoon; then followed one more,
+and again one more--twenty-five, twenty-six.  I pushed the vial away
+from me.  'Where are the drops?  Give them to me!' she cried with
+sinking voice.  She snatched the spoon from my hand, and I turned away
+my head.  My good angel had forsaken me."
+
+Mauer groaned and hid his face in his hands.  Carmen held her breath;
+she dared not speak, or raise her eyes to look at her father; she could
+not even think.
+
+"The patient," resumed Mauer, after a short pause, "became quieter; her
+breathing was scarcely audible.  Did she sleep?  From my heart I
+prayed: 'God of mercy, let her sleep and not die--not now!'  But I did
+not dare to look at or listen to her.  I threw myself on a couch, and,
+in the horror that filled my soul, buried my head in the cushions.
+Time passed on; the clock ticked as usual, I know not whether for
+minutes or hours.  Then I heard the ring of horse's hoofs before the
+door.  I got up to let the visitor in, for the servants were in bed.
+It was only three o'clock in the morning.  To my surprise, in walked
+Brother Jonathan.  'How is she?' he inquired hastily; and I answered
+softly, 'She sleeps.'
+
+"He approached the side of the bed, and drawing the lamp near, so as to
+observe her closely, said: 'Yes, never to wake again.  I was sure
+nothing could save her!'
+
+"I did not utter a word; my tongue seemed glued to my mouth, and
+refused to move.  Had she died because nothing could save her, or
+because I had dropped double the number of drops?  The fatal vial still
+stood on the table by the bed where I had placed it.  I feared to touch
+it again; but Jonathan took it up, and, looking at it, said casually:
+'Did you give her from it twice?  I see there are more than fifteen
+drops gone.'  I nodded my head.  'After two hours?' he asked again, and
+put the vial in his pocket.  I again nodded affirmatively.  He examined
+the dead woman again, felt her skin, and raised her eyelids.
+'Strange,' he said.  'You gave her the first dose about twelve o'clock,
+and the second at two; it is now only three o'clock, and this corpse
+has been cold for several hours.  Your wife must have died at least two
+hours ago; how is that?'  He looked at me in perplexity, and I felt
+myself grow pale under his inquiring glance; my limbs refused to
+support me, and I sank fainting on the floor.
+
+"The funeral was over; I had suffered with another attack of fever, and
+was restored to my usual health, when one day a hasty messenger
+summoned me to go at once to Don Manuel, who needed my presence.  He
+had been thrown from his horse, and was suffering intensely from
+internal injuries, which threatened to terminate fatally at any moment.
+I was conducted to his bedside, at which Inez knelt, her face buried on
+her father's pillow.  At the foot of the bed stood the physician,
+Brother Jonathan.
+
+"Don Manuel motioned me to his side.  'Don Mauer,' he said in a faint
+voice, 'I must die; but, before I leave this world, I would like to
+provide for the future of my child, who, as you know, has no mother.
+You have saved her life in the storm, and she has confessed to me that
+she loves you, and hopes you return her affection.  Therefore I ask you
+now, while death is hastening on, can you love her?  And will you take
+her to your heart, to love and cherish her as your wife?  She has
+always been a good daughter to me; she will be a true and faithful wife
+to you.'
+
+"Inez raised her lovely head, and her dark eyes, which, in their
+innocence did not know how to veil her sentiments, looked pleadingly at
+me.  I laid one hand on the graceful, girlish head, and the other in
+that of the dying man.
+
+"'I will vow to honor and cherish her as my most precious treasure,' I
+said solemnly, 'for I love her above everything on earth.'
+
+"Inez sank into my arms, and the weak voice of her dying father
+pronounced a blessing on us.  He begged that a priest might be quickly
+brought, to unite us by his death-bed, so that he would know Inez was
+safely provided for.
+
+"Scarcely was the ceremony over, when he drew his last breath.
+
+"The surprise, the overwhelming emotion, caused by this event,
+impressed me so powerfully that I could think of nothing but the one
+fact--'Inez is mine!'  When I left the house, after handing the weeping
+girl over into the hands of her faithful nurse.  Brother Jonathan rode
+along with me.
+
+"'Brother Michael,' he said, glaring at me darkly and menacingly, 'I
+now know what sinful love prompted you to give Julie, your wife, a
+double dose of opium; and why, when I came to see her early in the
+morning, the corpse had already been cold for some hours.'
+
+"As I felt myself turn pale, and answered nothing, he laughed
+scornfully, turned his horse's head, and rode off in another direction.
+After that the sight of Brother Jonathan became torture to me.  I
+always read the terrible accusation in his face, although he has never
+uttered it; and I soon found he was equally obnoxious to my wife.
+Indeed, she actually hated him; for, as she told me, he had persecuted
+her with his love, long before I had ever been to Don Manuel's.  She
+shunned him as much as possible, whenever he came to the hacienda; and
+it was most welcome news to both her and me when he told us his health
+could not stand the climate any longer, and he only needed money to
+take him to a colder climate.  I gave him several thousands out of my
+fortune, so as to get rid of him; and he, with his negro servant
+Thomas, went to Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.  To my relief, I saw no more
+of him; he wrote to me some time afterwards, but I did not answer, and
+never heard from him again.  All this time the worm of self-accusation
+was gnawing at my heart; but as long as Inez lived, I found happiness
+in her love, so that not even the voice of conscience could be heard.
+But when she was taken from me, then the cry arose in my heart: 'This
+is my punishment; she has died for my sin!' and all peace vanished from
+my existence.  It was then that I formed the resolution to atone with
+my life for the crime.  I longed to sacrifice myself; to suffer for the
+Lord's sake, and win over souls to the truth.  I parted from you, the
+one single thing that remained to me of Inez.  I sold my lands in
+Jamaica, and went wherever I was ordered--across the seas to India,
+where the least work had as yet been done, and to various other parts
+of the world.  The rest you already know.  No one can imagine how
+gladly I have suffered, although those years of slavery and misery were
+very grievous.  I hoped thereby to win the favor of Heaven; and when I
+was at last permitted to return home, I thought I saw in that an
+assurance that my crime was forgiven.  But it is all a mistake, Carmen,
+for Brother Jonathan lives, and is here, and he is a perpetual reproach
+to me.  Every word he utters seems to refer to it, and I never fail to
+shrink with pain from having him touch the sore point.  He has it in
+his power to bring my sin to light, at any time; and it is an evidence
+of his great friendship for me that he has been hitherto silent.  If
+either you or I anger him, he will not allow our old friendship to
+influence him any longer.  You have heard his threat, and he will,
+without fail, carry it out.  I will bear submissively whatever comes;
+but I am not able, my dear child, to protect you.  If you refuse him
+for your husband, he will disclose my guilt, and I, a criminal, can do
+nothing for you, but must quietly bow before the inevitable."
+
+He was silent, and dared not look at Carmen, for he feared to read what
+might be written on her countenance.  She sat perfectly still, absorbed
+in her own thoughts, her hand shading her eyes, and her breath heaving
+quickly.  The blood seemed frozen with horror in her veins at what she
+had heard; her brave heart quailed before the dreadful future, which
+she knew not how to meet.  And yet one thought stood prominently forth
+from the rest: she must prove her love for her father at any cost.  He
+needed it sorely now, and she had only a short hour ago declared she
+would love him the better for his fault, and thus help him to bear his
+misery.  He had sinned for the sake of her mother, who surely would
+have forgiven him and loved him, whatever other people might have felt.
+The daughter, must not set herself up to condemn her father.  God would
+judge him mercifully, according to the depth of his repentance and
+suffering.  Of this she felt perfectly assured; so, raising her head
+and turning her face to her father, she threw her arms about the old
+man's neck.
+
+"Be comforted, dear father, and trust in God!" she said lovingly.  "You
+have atoned so deeply and long that your sin is surely forgiven, and I
+am sure we will find some way out of this dreadful trouble."
+
+She was silent a moment, sunk in deep thought.  "I must inherit my dear
+mother's aversion to Brother Jonathan, for I have felt it as long as I
+can remember, and it would be quite impossible to give myself to him.
+I hate him as I do the Evil One.  I could believe anything, however
+bad, about him; and yet what he does is good, always good, and he has
+shown himself a friend to you.  Let us consider if there may not be
+some way out of this dreadful dilemma."
+
+The old man leaned, sobbing, against the girl whom he, as a father,
+should have been able to succor, and whose poor brains were now racked
+with caring for both herself and him.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+The fury of the storm had spent itself, but the rain still poured in
+torrents, when, towards five o'clock in the afternoon, two companies of
+soldiers, which had been manoeuvring during the day, came marching
+along, in rather disorderly fashion, on the highroad to the settlement.
+
+"It is well the order to bivouac in this deluge has been countermanded,
+for we would certainly have been drowned like rats," said one of the
+two officers, who were marching a little in advance.  "Yet almost
+anything would have been preferable to taking up our quarters with
+these pious people, whom I doubt will give us any sort of a welcome.
+They look on us as cannibals and murderers, and I tremble to think how
+their untiring zeal will urge them on to attempt our conversion."
+
+His companion laughed.  "It will not be so bad as you think, Hansen;
+although I must admit I don't think our wild boys will be very welcome
+guests to them.  It will sadly disturb their extreme orderliness and
+quiet routine of life."
+
+"You are sure of being well received, Captain Trautenau," resumed the
+first speaker, "having already been in this Bethany, and also having a
+sister at school here among the saints.  You must look out for us, and
+get the best shelter you can."
+
+Having now reached the suburbs of the village, Alexander von Trautenau
+ordered a halt to be made and the soldiers fall in rank.  "We will
+march in with as imposing an appearance as possible," he said gayly;
+and they passed through the streets, while many a terrified and
+astonished form rushed to the windows and watched them go by.
+Alexander, being familiar with the place, marched with his men directly
+to the Brothers' house and entered the spacious yard; there he gave the
+command to stack arms.  That surely was a peaceful proceeding!  The
+Brothers' house was much larger than that of the Sisters, as here they
+usually carried on their various branches of industry.  The door was
+now opened and, with a pale, terror-stricken countenance, Brother
+Martin, the presiding elder, stepped out.  Alexander immediately went
+up to him, and asked politely: "Are you the elder in authority over
+this house?"  When he answered in the affirmative, Alexander continued:
+"I have been ordered here with two companies to find shelter for the
+night, as the heavy rain has rendered bivouacking impossible.  Will you
+be so good as to assign me quarters for the men?"
+
+"We will, mein Herr.  But, first of all, tell me, I pray, if these guns
+are loaded," answered Brother Martin, pointing anxiously to the stacks
+of arms.
+
+"Of course the guns are loaded, but only with powder; and there is no
+danger whatever of their going off by themselves," said the officer,
+trying to reassure him.
+
+But Brother Martin only grew paler than before.  "Herr Officer, I must
+humbly beg that the guns be removed."
+
+"With pleasure," replied Alexander, "if you will show me a room in
+which my men may carry them and keep them dry."
+
+Brother Martin hastened with alacrity into the house, and opened a room
+in the basement.  The murderous weapons were carried in by the
+soldiers, the door was shut, and, to the great relief of the poor
+elder, the key turned and put away safely in the officer's pocket.
+
+Meanwhile, Hansen had not been able to repress his ridiculing remarks.
+"It is enough to turn an honest soldier's heart around in his body to
+listen to such stuff," he said.  "Guns!  As if we would carry anything
+else!  The man must be a fool."
+
+Alexander divided his men into squads, to occupy the apartments where
+they were to be accommodated with pallets of straw.
+
+One of the married brothers now came up and addressed the captain.
+"Herr Officer," he said modestly, "I have room in my house for a few
+men.  Will you allow me to accommodate four or six?  I promise to give
+them the very best that my poor house affords."
+
+"With many thanks, kind sir," was the reply.  "Please select from among
+them those you would like to have; the poor drenched creatures will be
+only too glad of your hospitality."
+
+The man chose the first six which came to hand, and carried them off
+with him.  The ice being thus broken, one brother after another offered
+to take in some of them, and pretty soon everything was satisfactorily
+arranged.  Another Brother begged to have the officers for his guests,
+and with hearty hospitality withdrew to prepare the best of everything
+the simple larder afforded for the entertainment of the strangers.
+
+Clean white linen was spread over the table and refreshments of every
+kind were brought out.  Pretty soon the provision-wagon arrived.  Meat
+and vegetables were unpacked, and preparations were made to prepare the
+evening meal.  The pioneers commenced to take up the paving-stones in
+the yard, in order to make a deep hollow in which to light the fire;
+but Brother Martin rushed out perfectly horrified.
+
+"Herr Captain, you surely will not allow your good people to kindle a
+fire here in the yard? I beg that you will forbid it; there is no
+knowing what mischief might result from it; and besides, it will ruin
+the yard."
+
+"But where, then, can the men cook their supper if it is too dangerous
+here?" asked Alexander, somewhat impatiently.  "The men are wet and
+hungry, and have had no regular meal to-day; they must be permitted to
+prepare something warm to eat."
+
+"Oh, of course," said Martin, with compassion.  "We will not let them
+suffer, and I will gladly allow you the use of a large kitchen, where
+all the cooking for the Brothers is done every day."
+
+The proposition was received with many thanks.  Every convenience which
+the house afforded was offered for the comfort of the men.
+
+"Trautenau," said Hansen, rubbing his hands with satisfaction, "things
+seem very good about here; and if they don't try to convert us, in
+addition, it will be the best place we have found quarters in for a
+long time.  The sneaks have even a glass of choice wine in their
+cellar, and we will forgive Brother Martin's horror of our weapons in
+hopes that he will give us a taste of it.  I thought they drank only
+water, and would be very much scandalized to hear of wine being
+anywhere about their premises."
+
+"Hush your mocking, Hansen, else I will not answer for your being
+allowed to remain in this paradise.  I hope you will not disgrace me
+while I go to seek my sister, before it is too late.  You know we march
+early in the morning."
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+Carmen and her father had been too deeply absorbed in their sorrows to
+observe what was transpiring in the settlement.  The outer world had
+vanished completely from their minds.  Concluding finally to leave
+everything undecided until after the interview between the old man and
+Jonathan, Carmen turned her steps homeward, for it was after eight
+o'clock.  After ascending the steps, she remained standing under the
+arched portico in front of the house, trying to forget herself, her
+father, everything.  She felt as if her own conscience was in some way
+guilty; and then, too, what was to become of her now?  His crime, and
+her duty as a daughter, urged her imperatively into the arms of this
+man whom she thoroughly despised.  There seemed no way of escape.  The
+idea flashed across her brain to renounce her identity with the
+Moravians; but that would be synonymous with total separation from her
+father, for in his present frame of mind, when he was continually
+dwelling on repentance and reparation, he would never tear himself away
+from his old faith.  Leave her father?  Never!  One thought tempted
+her--the thought of Wollmershain and Frau von Trautenau; but she put it
+resolutely from her: she could not, she dared not; she had no claim on
+any one there, and here she belonged to her father.
+
+Ah, how her poor bleeding heart ached!  If she could only weep, perhaps
+it would help to lighten the weary burden which was crushing her to the
+earth; but no relieving tears would come to her burning eyes.  At last
+she sat down on a ledge of the wall near the doorway, to rest in
+solitude a little while, and to try to compose herself before going
+into the house.  It had now ceased raining, and a dimly-burning lantern
+which was hung near by dispelled the darkness in a measure, and threw
+its uncertain rays over the wet stones of the yard, and over Carmen's
+drooping figure.  The streets were perfectly quiet, the water dripped
+monotonously from the roofs, now and then the footsteps of some
+solitary passer-by echoed faintly on the ear, followed by the deep
+silence, broken only by the falling drops.  There was something
+soothing in this great hush of nature; and the gentle dripping seemed
+like a loving voice singing some tired child to sleep; Carmen felt as
+if drawn within a magic circle.  For a long time she sat there, till at
+last she heard a step approaching from the distance, and a man made his
+appearance in the light of the lantern.  Something sparkled and
+glittered on his coat; and as he strode along with quick, firm steps,
+the spurs on his boots clanked.  Carmen saw and heard it all as if in
+her sleep.  Still motionless, she sat staring out into the darkness,
+and her heart, her poor heart, seemed dead and cold.  There! did not
+the stranger enter the portico?  He certainly did; and, as his figure
+became more distinctly discernible in the uncertain light, her pulses
+began to throb violently--those pulses which she a moment ago believed
+would never again beat with lively emotion.  She leaned back closer to
+the wall, and stared at the figure with wide-opened eyes.  As the man
+ascended the steps and saw the shrinking form close against the wall,
+he started, hesitated a moment, and then, putting his hand to his cap
+in greeting, said joyfully: "Fraulein Carmen, can it really be you?  I
+have come, although it is so late, to greet you, and make the
+acquaintance of your father, as I am here only for to-night, and leave
+early in the morning.  Adele told me I would find you here, in the
+house with the portico."  He spoke with a glad tone and put out his
+hand, for at Wollmershain they had parted with a hearty hand-shake, and
+now he ventured on the same privilege.
+
+The girl laid her hand in his; it was so cold and clammy it chilled
+him; and Carmen, as she leaned her head back against the stone wall,
+had such a tired, weary, wretched look that he could not refrain from
+asking with an anxious air: "For Heaven's sake!  Surely some misfortune
+has happened to you!  Carmen, dear Fraulein Carmen, I implore you, tell
+me just one word, that I may know what is the matter, and help you if I
+can."
+
+She had risen slowly and with difficulty, for her knees trembled, and
+she could scarcely stand.  He kept her hand in his as if to assist her,
+and pressed it with gentle warmth.  At the sound of his sympathizing
+voice, the heavy pressure on her tortured heart suddenly gave way, and
+agonized sobs burst from her lips, while a flood of scalding tears
+flowed from her eyes.  Her slender frame shook with the violence of her
+emotion; and as he sought to support her with his arm, her head sank on
+his shoulder.
+
+"Dear Carmen," he pleaded, "do not keep back from me the cause of this
+distress!  You cannot know how I am racked with grief for you.  What
+shall I say to convince you of my feelings?  It troubles me sorely, oh,
+believe me, to find you in such sorrow."
+
+His words seemed to increase the intensity of her grief; and yet how
+those blinding tears relieved her!  What an angel of light he
+seemed--he, of whom she had once thought so differently!  She did not
+repulse him now when his arm encircled her; but leaning on him
+confidingly, she somehow felt that he who held her was a true man; that
+he alone was able to help and comfort her, and that it was a precious
+privilege to have him near in this hour of need.  She could not turn to
+her father for succor; that one great hope had melted away; but in this
+man she knew there was courage, as well as will and the power to assist
+her in her woe.  As he poured question after question upon her, she
+attempted at last to speak.
+
+"They have cast lots for me to-day," she stammered.  "I am forced to be
+the wife of a man I despise--by lot, Herr Trautenau!"
+
+"By lot?" he asked, flushing angrily.  "You, our beautiful, proud
+Carmen, given away by lot?  That is incredible!  Your father will
+surely not permit it!"
+
+"My poor father!" she cried.  "He can take no step to prevent it; he
+cannot save me."
+
+"But!--by heavens, I will not allow such a horrible thing!" he cried
+passionately, and drew her closer to him.  "Carmen, I conjure you, I
+beseech you, not to submit to this shameful custom of your people!"
+
+"No; I would rather die than do it!" she replied, as something of her
+old courage returned to her.  Now that he stood by her, she felt that
+some escape might be possible.  She dried her tears, and raised her
+pretty head, which had rested so wearily on his shoulder, endeavoring
+to free herself from a position which, now that she was calm enough to
+think, had become embarrassing to her.  As she did so, she gave a
+terrified start, for, unheard by either of them, Brother Jonathan with
+his cat-like step had drawn near, and she now caught a glimpse of his
+hated countenance, distorted with scorn and anger.
+
+"Rather die than be my wife?" he asked mockingly, as he approached
+nearer.  "A pleasant answer, surely, for me to listen to!  This is,
+then, the modest, prudish Sister whom I must not presume to touch!  She
+refuses me, an honest man who loves her, and declines to follow the
+rules of her faith, only to throw herself into the arms of a strange
+interloper!  Do you think we will have a Sister among us who bids
+defiance to all the meek love and submission, the decorum and modesty
+which is necessary for a member of our community?  I, as superintendent
+of the Sisters, will now suggest to the Sister in charge that Carmen
+Mauer be expelled from our communion."
+
+Carmen seemed not to hear these severe words.  She breathed heavily,
+but answered not a word, only pressed her hands against her throbbing
+heart and raised her pale face to him calmly and indifferently, not
+seeming to care for his condemnation and threats.
+
+"Fraulein Carmen," said Alexander, as Jonathan ceased speaking.  His
+voice chased all fear from her heart, and she turned her gaze, full of
+trust and confidence, on him again.
+
+"Fraulein Carmen," he continued, "you once told me that only your
+father's or your husband's arm should enfold you.  When my arm
+supported you just now, you suffered it to do so; was it because you
+trusted my honor and love sufficiently to give me the right to protect
+you through all time as your husband?"
+
+She gave him a quick glance of glad surprise.
+
+"Yes," she replied with a firm voice, offering him her hand.  He
+pressed it with passionate warmth.
+
+"Mein Herr," he said coldly, turning to Jonathan, "will you have the
+kindness, as superintendent of the Sisters, to inform them that
+Fraulein Carmen Mauer and her betrothed husband, Captain von Trautenau,
+have gone to her father's apartments; that this lady, on account of her
+betrothal to me, declines the destiny chosen for her by lot; and will,
+moreover, be obliged to leave the community and follow her husband?
+This may perhaps prevent any unpleasant misunderstanding."  He bowed
+stiffly to the astounded Jonathan, drew Carmen's hand through his arm,
+and turned away.
+
+Carmen had listened to his words in such a confused state of mind that
+she was powerless to resist even had she wished to.  What he had said
+almost took away her breath; but as the strength of his arm, so that of
+his will, held her captive, and she would have followed him blindly to
+the end of the world.  But now, when she was about to return to her
+father, she was torn with anguish for the poor sufferer who tarried
+alone in his room.  He must be cared for at once; so, pausing a moment,
+she turned towards Jonathan.  The threat he had hurled at her showed
+the point where she might gain the victory over him, and render him
+powerless to harm her father.
+
+"Brother Jonathan," she said, "you told me that if I was affianced to
+some other man, the validity of the lot would be annulled.  You now see
+that the threat against me is vain, but I would like to relate a little
+occurrence to the Brothers and Sisters which would not tend to increase
+the holy reputation which the pious Brother Jonathan Fricke now enjoys.
+You have been kind to my father up to this time; I beg that you will
+continue to be so in future, for your own sake.  I would not willingly
+inflict any injury upon you; but the slightest hint from him will
+compel me--I think you understand."
+
+Jonathan stood as if turned to stone as Alexander led Carmen away,
+saying:
+
+"Let us go to your father."
+
+When they reached the house, he opened the door and passed in with her.
+
+"Wait a moment," he said, as they stood in the hall.  "I was too hasty;
+the intense desire to save you dictated my impulsive question, and your
+prompt answer was called forth by the rashness of a man who, in all the
+heat of his fervent love, sought to avert an impending danger.  But you
+shall not be compelled thus to resign your freedom.  Tell me now calmly
+if you can love me a little; if otherwise, take back your hastily-given
+word, and after a while, when you can do so with perfect safety to
+yourself, let the world know that our engagement has ceased.  Let my
+love shield you as long as it can; but only if you love me do I want
+you to marry me."
+
+They had been talking in the dark; but now a faint light shone through
+the window and flickered on the girl's little white cap.  It seemed
+like a halo to Alexander; he gazed at it fixedly, as if it were an omen
+of happiness for him.
+
+Carmen had been standing with folded hands; now she raised her arms and
+clasped them gently about his neck.  "I love you with my whole heart,"
+she whispered softly, "and my happiness rests with you alone."
+
+He drew her to his heart with a violent outbreak of passionate love;
+and it was almost as if with a sob that the strong man cried, "Carmen,
+my love, my darling!" and kissed her with all his heart on his lips.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+A faint sound of martial music penetrated to Brother Mauer's room the
+next morning, as the troops marched away.  The old man sat wrapped in
+meditation.  A new world of thought had opened to him since last night.
+Carmen, the bride of a stranger!  How very different from any former
+plans or prospects!  He had given his free consent to his daughter's
+marriage, for Alexander had gained his entire confidence.
+
+The resolution and determined will displayed in the young officer's
+bearing reassured him, and dispelled his inward despair and
+helplessness.  A marriage with this man was the only solution to the
+miserable situation; and when Carmen was removed from his immediate
+neighborhood, she would still be nearer than if she was a missionary's
+wife.  But the severance of his child from her faith gave him extreme
+anxiety for her; as, according to his ideas, happiness, prosperity, and
+peace could be found only among the Moravians, in the strict observance
+of their laws and customs.  Was it possible Carmen could be willing to
+forsake all this for a strange man?  He could not grasp the thought.
+Yet when, weeping bitterly, she said, "Father, I love Alexander as
+deeply as my mother did you," there thrilled through him a memory of
+Inez's ardent love, as she clung to him with utter abandon, and found
+her world at his side; and he blessed the union of the lovers.
+
+But Carmen had a very trying interview with Sister Agatha, when she
+went in the morning and imparted to her what had occurred the night
+before, and what decision she had made.
+
+Agatha listened to the girl's words attentively and thoughtfully, and
+an expression of deep sorrow filled her countenance.
+
+"Carmen," she said sadly, "judging from what you say, you have in your
+heart completely cut yourself off from the Lord's mercy and our faith,
+and therefore it is better that things should be as they are, for you
+must not play the hypocrite--anything is preferable to that.  You would
+destroy yourself and be of no benefit to us."  She laid her hand gently
+on Carmen's head, and added: "Go now, dear Sister, and tread the new
+path you have chosen for yourself; and Heaven grant it may not lead to
+misery!  If, however, happiness deserts you, and your heart yearns
+after us, like the thirsty wayfarer in the desert, then return to the
+people of the Lord, that we may help you to return to Him."
+
+She tenderly kissed the maiden's brow, pressed her to her bosom again
+and again, and let her go.  She followed Carmen's lovely form with her
+eyes as she passed through the doorway and left the room; then, folding
+her hands in prayer, she said: "Lord, forgive the child.  A soul which
+was entrusted to me by Thee, which I knew not how to guide aright, has
+been taken from me.  If she goes astray, let mine be the blame, for it
+was my fault; but if she seeks Thee in another path of life, then give
+her Thy peace.  Ah, how much I have still to correct in myself!  Yet I
+would fain do my utmost for the souls Thou hast committed to my charge.
+I praise Thee, and would not think of my trials, if only I am counted
+worthy to suffer for Thy sake."
+
+So Carmen was freed from the fetters she had unwillingly worn for so
+long.  Alexander had arranged with her and her father that she should
+go to his mother at Wollmershain; but the separation from her father
+was a severe trial to her loving heart.  Fate had scarcely united them,
+and already they must part and, knowing what misery it was to the old
+man, it seemed almost more than she could bear.  And yet it must be.
+She promised to visit her father twice every week, and would be quick
+and diligent in her home duties, so as to make her visits longer.
+
+The days were now very lonely without the bright, cheerful presence of
+his daughter; and when winter came, his own dwelling was ready to be
+occupied, but all the zest and pleasure of moving into his new abode
+seemed to have vanished.  He took Sister Ursula, an aged widow, as his
+servant and housekeeper.  How he loved to sit by the window in his
+room, from whence he could look out on the hill where the cemetery was
+laid out!  "The Brothers will soon carry me along that path," he
+thought, "and it will be well for me when the time comes.  I have
+always longed to be laid away in our own God's-acre, among the Sisters
+and Brothers, and enter with them into the joy of our Lord."
+
+He now had also the happiness of having Carmen with him for several
+days at a time.  The house seemed illuminated by her presence, her room
+was close to his, and there she had plants which he took care of for
+her.  There was also a snug little corner where they passed many happy
+hours together.  But with the knowledge of the fearful secret which
+overshadowed her father's life a deeper gravity had come to her, which
+subdued her otherwise exuberant and joyous temperament; and Alexander
+often asked if it was the love she felt for him which had thus checked
+her former cheerfulness.  And this shadow did not pass away when,
+shortly after Christmas, her wedding was celebrated, and Mauer informed
+her that he had divided the fortune left him by Inez from his own
+property, in order to make it over to her daughter, to whom it by right
+belonged.  So the young couple remained at Wollmershain, after
+Alexander had sold his commission and left the army; and Mauer was
+happy in the assurance that his daughter would always be near him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+On a bleak November day, when all nature wore its most dreary aspect,
+the carriage of Herr von Trautenau, now well known in the village, drew
+up before Brother Mauer's door.  The horses had scarcely stopped, when
+the door opened and Alexander sprang out, followed by Carmen, whose
+face bore traces of recent tears.
+
+"Be brave, dear heart!" he said.
+
+"I have you and our darling boy left," she answered with emotion; and
+turning back to the carriage, took a little child from the nurse's
+arms.  She kissed him fondly, and the little fellow clapped his hands
+and crowed merrily at his mother as she held him in her arms.  Then
+from beneath the flaxen ringlets which covered the infantile head a
+pair of large black eyes looked around with wonder at the strange place
+and the dark figure, with the white cap, that stood in the doorway.
+
+Carmen was surprised to see Sister Agatha.
+
+"Have I come too late?" she asked in a tone of anguish.
+
+"No, dear Carmen, he still lives," said the faithful nurse, soothingly.
+"But he is failing rapidly since the attack this morning.  He has been
+so weak of late that we have felt prepared for the end to come at any
+time.  He has been asking anxiously for you since consciousness has
+returned, and Sister Ursula sent at once for me, that I might be with
+him while she went for another doctor, as Brother Jonathan has just
+been summoned to the country to visit the miller."
+
+"How good you are, dear Sister Agatha!" said Carmen, pressing her hand
+affectionately.
+
+They had now entered the house, and Alexander remained in an adjoining
+room, while Carmen went at once to her father.  The bed had been drawn
+close to the window to give him more air, and he was now resting
+quietly, as if asleep, his hands crossed on his breast, and the shadow
+of death on his brow.  Carmen was greatly shocked at the change.
+
+"My darling father, I am here with you; do you know me, your own
+Carmen?" she asked, kneeling by the couch.
+
+At the sound of her voice, he opened his eyes, and a faint, happy smile
+broke over his stiffening features.
+
+"My child--are you here?  Now I am ready to go."
+
+"Father, let us hope God will spare you to us!"
+
+"No, my precious child, let us hope He will, at last, set me free; for
+I long, oh so earnestly! to be at rest.  Carmen, a guilty conscience is
+a scorpion which never ceases to torment, and deals a death-blow to all
+peace and happiness; therefore keep your heart pure, my darling, and
+ever have God's commandments before your mind, so as to avoid sinning
+against them.  Let me persuade you to come back into the bosom of our
+faith, and draw your husband with you.  He could enter the Brotherhood,
+even though he lived elsewhere.  Oh, ensure the safety of your soul,
+under the shelter of our holy religion, so that your life be not
+poisoned with remorse, as mine has been!"
+
+She kissed her father's hand with love and reverence; then raising her
+head, looked in his eyes, which rested on her so anxiously.  "Father I
+promise you I will remain faithful to my God, and endeavor to keep His
+laws."
+
+Mauer sank back on his pillows.  "Brother Jonathan," he whispered,
+after a pause, "has kept my fearful secret; and even though he always
+involuntarily reminds me of it, he has maintained his friendship and
+brotherly love for me until now; but he has never allowed me to forget
+that my wealth must go to the community, as an atonement for my crime;
+so I have specified in my will that, in expiation of a great sin, I
+have left all my money to the commonwealth of the Brotherhood and their
+missions: thus, in benefiting all, to make amends for sinning against
+one."
+
+Carmen silently kissed his pale lips; then, rising, went into the next
+room and brought back with her Alexander and the child.  They kneeled
+beside the dying man, and Carmen asked with tears "Father, bless your
+children!"
+
+"Do you value the blessing of such as I?" he said humbly.
+
+"Yes, my father, I cannot live without it."
+
+Then the old man laid his hands on the three heads and murmured words
+of benediction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+It was four o'clock in the afternoon, and the shadows of twilight began
+to gather on the gloomy sky.  Agatha brought in a lamp, and all retired
+save Carmen; thus leaving her and her father alone together,
+undisturbed.  Mauer lay quiet, with his eyes half closed; while his
+daughter sat holding his hand in a loving clasp, her head buried in the
+coverlid.  In the stillness which prevailed in the chamber of death,
+the door was heard to open, and some one entered noiselessly; but the
+draught caused by the open window closed the door sharply behind the
+visitor.  Mauer opened his eyes at the sound, and looked up vacantly as
+if he did not recognize Jonathan.  Carmen also raised her head; but
+when she saw who it was, she immediately hid her face again, for she
+felt it quite impossible to speak to him now.  Kneeling between the bed
+and the wall, her form was completely hidden in the dark shadow.
+
+"Brother Mauer, I have just returned from the Country, and hear that
+you have been ill.  What is the matter?" asked Jonathan.
+
+At the sound of his voice, the sick man shivered as if from an icy
+breath of wind.  He stared at the physician with dilated eyes.
+
+"Brother Jonathan," he faltered, "the end has come, and the old, dark
+story will be laid with me in the grave.  I know I have sinned
+grievously, but have atoned with a life of repentance and cruel
+suffering for the murder of an inoffensive wife."
+
+As the old man spoke, Jonathan looked at him sharply and searchingly.
+The light of the lamp shone on his altered features, which bore the
+stamp of death.  The physician seized his hand; the pulse was almost
+gone; there was no possibility of saving his life; each moment brought
+the end nearer.  Then Jonathan's hate, revenge, and scorn broke loose,
+and flashed unrestrained from his eyes, which were fixed on the figure
+lying before him.  For twenty years he had hated this man more than any
+other on earth; and for twenty years he had been obliged to put on the
+hypocrisy of love towards him.  What a trial for his hot, seething
+passion!  At the last, the moment had now come when his enemy was in
+his power, and he could throw up his visor and show his real face!  Now
+was the time to crown his revenge, before the object of it passed
+entirely out of his reach forever.
+
+Jonathan glanced hastily around the quiet darkened chamber, to convince
+himself that they were alone.  He saw no one; the faint light showed
+only the pale features of the dying one pressed against the pillow.  It
+was not possible that any one could be there!  Old Ursula, the only
+other occupant of the house, had retired to the kitchen to weep and
+lament; and having passed directly up from the front door to the
+sick-room, he was ignorant of the presence of others in the dwelling.
+
+Then Jonathan gave free play to his wild rage.  "Murderer of your
+wife?" he said scornfully.  "Fool! if it had been only the drops you
+gave her, she would be alive now; but nothing could have saved her.  In
+the hurry of that night, Thomas, being just roused from sleep, gave you
+the other man's medicine, and handed yours to him.  What you had was
+only good for infants; and Sister Julie might have drunk the whole
+bottleful without injury."
+
+Mauer's gaze wandered uncertainly towards the speaker; a shudder passed
+over his dying form, and his brain made a powerful effort to penetrate
+the mists gathering over it.
+
+"I did not kill Julie, and you knew it and never told me?" he
+stammered, with fast-failing voice.
+
+"Certainly I knew it; but did you ever ask me about it?  The other man
+had more forethought than you, and read the label before administering
+the dose to his child; and when he saw the name, he brought it back at
+once.  It was two hours before he could get to my house again, and then
+Thomas had to prepare fresh medicine.  Then I took the opium-drops
+intended for Sister Julie, and jumped on my horse; for although I knew
+she never could recover, I wanted to fulfil my duty as a physician, and
+do all I could to correct my servant's mistake.  But I found her
+already dead; yes, from all appearances she must have been dead several
+hours.  When I asked how that could have resulted from the drops, and
+saw your disturbed countenance, and how you became pale and faint, I
+thought you must have meditated the death of your wife, and with such
+design had given her a double dose which you intended should be fatal.
+I put the vial in my pocket, so that my servant's blunder might not be
+brought up against him or me.  But Mauer," cried Jonathan, in a voice
+of frenzy, "when I stood by Don Manuel's death-bed and discovered your
+guilty love for Inez, while your wife stood in your way, everything
+became clear to me."
+
+"You knew, Brother Jonathan, that I was bearing all the tortures of
+remorse, and yet gave me no word of explanation?" whispered the unhappy
+victim.
+
+"That is not surprising.  Do you know what hate is?  You knew that I
+loved Inez.  Can you imagine how I must have hated you who robbed me of
+her?" continued Jonathan, pitilessly.
+
+"Yes, I knew you looked on yourself as a murderer!  It answered my
+purpose not to have you think otherwise.  It was sweet to me to see how
+this thought tortured you; it was a great satisfaction to know I held
+you in my power, like a butterfly on a needle, which it cannot get away
+from, and yet which remains quiescent and kills it painfully and
+slowly.  Do you think I would not have brought you to justice if it had
+been true?  Surely I would not have failed to do it; but Thomas, who
+knew all the circumstances and was with me in the mission, is here; he
+would have witnessed against me, had I accused you before the public.
+But I knew how to revenge myself on you for having stolen Inez from me,
+and for refusing me Carmen's hand.  Your life must pay for Inez; your
+death will rob Carmen, as you have willed away your fortune from her
+for your supposed crime and left it to our community.  Thus you will
+die at last, filled with regret at having wasted a life in unnecessary
+penance, and your silent lips will now take the old, dark story into
+the grave.  I, however, will always feel an inward sense of triumph and
+delight that it was my foot which crushed you!"
+
+He was silent, and stood with folded arms, looking down gloatingly on
+Mauer.  He did not observe that in the shadow between the wall and the
+bed a head was raised.   Suddenly a dark form rose, shadowy and
+indistinct.  Jonathan grew pale.  "Inez!" he gasped, and shrank back.
+
+"No.  Carmen; who has heard your cruel words, so that the silent lips
+shall not take the dark story of your wickedness to the grave.  Wretch!
+devil incarnate!  Can the earth hold such infamous scum? and has Heaven
+no lightning with which to strike you dead?  Oh, father, my poor,
+persecuted father!  There are no words to tell what you have suffered
+through this man!"  And she threw herself again by the bed, and cast
+her arms about her dying parent.
+
+But a glorious light of heavenly peace had settled on those pale
+features.  With newly-acquired strength, he returned his daughter's
+embrace, raised his hands, and cried with accents of joy: "Child,
+rejoice, praise the Lord with me, for your father can now appear before
+his Judge, innocent of this crime.  Blessed be God forever--amen!"
+
+He stretched out his arms and sank back; one more sigh, as if the
+liberated soul were unfolding its wings to be borne on the breeze to
+heaven, and he lay still and peaceful in his daughter's arms.
+
+With heart-rending sobs, she rained kisses on his hands, his lips, his
+brow; then closing his weary eyes, she whispered tenderly, amid
+scalding tears, "Dear father, sleep sweetly; you have earned it well!"
+
+Some movement in the chamber of death attracted Carmen's notice,
+despite her overwhelming sorrow.  She started up quickly.  Who dared to
+intrude upon her thus?  It was Jonathan, who was trying to make his
+escape from the room.
+
+"Jonathan Fricke!" she cried, drawing herself up to her full height and
+at her call he seemed as if rooted to the ground.  She passed around
+the bed, stepped to the table, and moved the lamp so as to throw a
+brighter light over the calm, placid features of the dead, around whose
+mouth a happy smile still lingered.
+
+"Look on that face!" she said in a voice of command.  Her face was all
+ablaze with righteous indignation, and she stood menacingly, but
+wondrously beautiful, before him, like an avenging angel ready to
+plunge the criminal down into the depths of hell.
+
+"Do you see this holy, peaceful rest?  Will you be able, some day, to
+lie down thus when the Lord demands an account of your life?  You turn
+away your eyes, but you will never succeed in banishing the image of
+this face from your memory; it will haunt you wherever you go, by day
+and by night; its perpetual presence will be my father's revenge here
+below, and his accusation above, before the throne of judgment."
+
+Humiliated and cowed, Jonathan stood motionless before the scathing
+contempt of this noble woman.
+
+"Do not think my father concealed his fault from me," she continued,
+her voice growing deeper and more threatening, as if the indignation
+surging up within her had lent it new power.  "I know everything.  I
+know how it happened; that, in a moment of weakness and temptation, the
+evil spirit drew near and enticed him.  But he sinned in thought only;
+the All-merciful prevented the deed.  How does his sin compare with
+yours, in the eyes of the One above?"
+
+"I beseech you," began Jonathan in a cringing tone, "do not expose me
+to the community."
+
+"Go!" she replied.  "I will cast no slur on my father's memory by
+accusing you.  Vengeance belongs to God alone."
+
+She began to feel her strength giving way.  The terrible agitation of
+her soul had exhausted her powers.  At that moment she looked towards
+the open door which led to the next room, and saw Alexander and Agatha.
+She put her hands out to her husband as if seeking support and comfort
+and as he hastened towards her, she sank half-fainting on his breast.
+
+"Carmen, my darling, my precious wife, this is a heavy sorrow which you
+have borne so long!" he said gently.
+
+Agatha approached the bed and laid a linen cloth over the face of the
+one who had found rest at last.
+
+"Carmen," she said, "your accusation is not needed.  I will witness
+before the elders against this man, that he may no longer remain among
+us with his hypocritical piety and humility."
+
+Jonathan looked at her bewildered.
+
+"Is hell let loose?" he exclaimed, stamping his foot with rage.  "Have
+you all conspired to destroy me?"
+
+"Disturb not the dead with your unseemly words!" commanded Agatha.  "To
+him mercy will be shown; but you, Jonathan, will be condemned here and
+in the world to come.  Go!"  She pointed to the door.  He attempted to
+answer, but she cut his words short and repeated her command, "Go!"
+
+After a moment's hesitation he disappeared out into the darkness.
+
+Shortly after this dreadful scene, the sound of the trumpets announced
+to the people that Brother Mauer was dead; and soon it was noised
+abroad that Brother Jonathan had committed a great crime against the
+deceased, and the council of elders were seeking for him, to bring him
+to justice and punishment.  Great excitement followed among these quiet
+Moravians, but Brother Jonathan was nowhere to be found.  His
+disappearance was considered a proof of his guilt, and wherever the
+Brothers were stationed, in all parts of the world, notice was sent to
+them of Jonathan's crime, so that he would not be able to impose
+himself upon them, anywhere, as a Brother.  He was publicly expelled
+from the faith, and it was decided by the council that the money left
+by the departed to his brethren, as an atonement for his sin, should be
+transferred to his daughter; but the Trautenaus preferred to let it go
+where the will had provided it should.
+
+     *     *     *     *     *     *
+
+With the first snow which fell about this time, a long and severe
+winter set in, which held the world bound for several months in ice and
+snow.  But at last the mild south wind blew with its life-giving
+breath, and melted the icy mantle which had enveloped all things.
+
+The thawed waters of the alder-pond then gave up from its depths a
+disfigured corpse, which had been concealed beneath its frozen surface
+during the severe season.  It was the body of Brother Jonathan Fricke.
+The worthy laborer who chanced to find it was impressed with the idea
+that Jonathan had sought for salvation in its waters.
+
+Had the guilt-laden man lost his way in the fogs of winter, and met his
+death by accident, or was he driven thither by a torturing conscience?
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SISTER CARMEN***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 14523.txt or 14523.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/4/5/2/14523
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/old/14523.zip b/old/14523.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f3f8d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/14523.zip