Chapter IV.

Otago Witness, Issue 1866, 26 August 1887, Page 30

Chapter IV.

Fever in the Village.

A few months later, and Hagedorn with its last departing guest resumed its work-a-day suit. But Louis Bands still lingered in the valley, and from his lowly position laid formal siege to the Schloss. An apparently casual intimacy, begun so imperceptibly, had ripened quickly into friendship — if not a warmer feeling. At least no doubt could reasonably exist with regard to the stranger's sentiments. From the very first meeting nothing which an earnest lover could devise to ingratiate himself with the desired object was omitted ; and all this devotion was crowned by an infinitely flattering air of respect, and even humility.

But Magda's feelings were far less declared. At iirst it was eminently agreeable to be the recipient of a thousand little attentions and kindnesses, and she walked, sketched, and botanised fearlessly with this new-found friend. But when it became evident that something more than friendship must be held responsible tor such incessant devotion, then Magda drew back alarmed.

" I shall never marry unless sonione really loves me," she had often enough rlcclared to Frau Biber ; and now that this desideratum was apparently secured, another important factor in the calculation was fo nd to have been overlooked— alack! namely, of answering affection in her own breast. It had appeared a foregone conclusion that under favourable conditions love must beget love, and yet here was a suitor in- every way unexceptionable whose loyal and disinterested devotion failed to elicit one answering spark of regard — oi that deep regard at least which Magda told herself the future partner of her life must necessarily inspire. '

How would it all end? And how apply Aunt Bettina's warning words not to spoil her life striving :i fter a vain shadow whilst happiness lay within her grasp. Was Loins Sands identical with happiness, or would someone else one day ? But at that stage of her reflections Magda sighed rather hopelessly, and relegated to temporary oblivion the solving of her troublesome enigma. One chilly autumn evening the little party of three (Bettina always declined to join these excursions), returning from a mountain ramble, lingered awhile on the terrace. Such a calm and exquisite beauty enfolded hill and valley and distant mbuntain' heigh' t, that all were more or less affected by its influence. Frau Biber remembered the days of her youth, and presently slipped away. Unlike Bettina, she favoured the pretender. '

There was a long silence.

Louis looked into his companion's trustful, honest face' with an ardent gaze, and some sign of softening there might have induced him to risk the first well-chosen sentences of a formal declaration.

"Before long I must leave this happjr valley, dear Magda. Can you give me hope* that in future I shall not work alone and uncared for in the busy town ? You must know that I love you beyond all the world ! lam not rich, dear Magda, but I have influential relatives, and with you by my side " (here he paused to, gently clasp her hand) " I should feel richer than any king ! Only one little word of promise, one sign that I am not wholly indifferent to you." 1 " ' '

, All of which address fell on Magda's ears like a harsh awakening shout when slumber is at its sweetest. How answer this appeal truthfully, and still the dull ache at her heart ?

Suddenly she 'snatched away her hand, and blushed painfully in the gloaming.

Dr Mohr had come up unperceiyed over the" soft sward, and stood beside them.

" I fear that I alarmed you," he said, after his usual quiet greeting; "you never expected an intruder at this late hour." "No intruder indeed," Magda hastened to assure him. ''And you have Galled so seldom of late. Come in and be welcomed."

This appearance seemed an unexpected relief in one quarter, and so Louis felt as he lingered behind thgm for a moment and stifled something which sounded like a curse under his heavy moustache. , "My errand is riot a pleasant one," said the doctor presently. " Fever has broken' out in the valley, alid good nurses are hard to find." His glance rested on Bettina, who understood, and rose at once. "We knew of it only to-day," she said, " and I meant to offer my services in any case." " Take some necessaries, and make up your mind to a temporary absence from the Schloss," said the doctor, s railing. 1 "It would never do to carry infection to and fro. I shall keep our friends here informed of your welfare." 1 He paused a moment, and added sharply : " Pray remember, all of you, that the evening air is to be avoided, however pleasant the time!" ' ' ' ' " A salutary warning, doctor," said Bettina, as somewhat later they trudged down the hill together; "but I fear that' two of your audience appropriated it with' the con» sciousness of guilt to themselves." • "Is anything settled yet 1 " queried the doctor, in tones intended to .convey a sentiment of friendly indifference. ' - ' Bettina smiled under her hood. ' ' " Nothing as yet," she replied ; " and I

hope and pray that there never will be anything settled in that quarter." • ■ . j Perhaps she guessed how sweetly these I words fell on him in the midnight stillness. ' - , Meanwhile our persevering and undauntedsuitor awaited in vain a favourable response. Next day Frau Biber wa!s stricken down, and lo^e-making and romance had to give way before sick-bed attendance and days and 1 nights of anxious labour and watching. j Magda's relief was great that at this crisis Bettina remained hors de t ceinb'at 'in the village, and she used every I 'precaution' to' eiisure her remaining, in 1 ignorance of the occurrence ; for Frau Biber, influenced by a firm belief in Bettina's clairvoyance, would hkve succumbed to terror under one dubious glance from those lustrous eyes. ;In all these 'trials Magda learnt to rely upon Louis for much help and sympathy, and sometimes a little thrill of gratification was not to be subdued at the thought that this strong man's guidance and support might at a word be hers through life. ;Dr Mohr had appeared of ■ late strangely indifferent and unsympathetic by comparison. He came and went, and fought the Powers of Darkness bravely over, the sick bed; but, that duty done, he ignored all others of condolence or encouragement. Sometimes Magda, with a choking sensation in| her throat, would vow never again to appeal for kindly sjmpathy where there was so| little response ; but next moment, at sight of his wearied, careworn face, her heart weuld fill with self-reproachful .misgivings. Had he not enough to bear without taking her troubles also upon his weary shoulders ?' Magda little knew with what difficulty our poor friend sometimes repressed an all too warm desire to comfort his patient sick-nurse.