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. "Have they really left me, Brother Jonathan? "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!" "Dear sister, how can you speak thus?" he said. It was in Jamaica,
when I went to your father from the mission." It surely cannot be wrong for people
to laugh, and 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 stammered. "She inherits the hot, proud Spanish blood of her mother, and, alas! the same fatal, enchanting beauty also," he muttered. CHAPTER II. "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. argued the lady. "That may well be so, mother. interposed the other, quickly. "A vicious animal, sir," said Alexander to the other, handing him the
bridle. Thus saying, he stood aside, and man and horse proceeded on their way. "Ah, yes, this is the very
place!" cried the lady, joyfully. "Thank you most sincerely for your
courtesy, dear child. We
gave notice by letter of our coming, and are expected. "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. So saying, she led her guests from the
first floor to the second, and from one room to another. "Here you see the children of our members, and our dear pupils, all
together. "And you, dear Sister Genevieve?" "At St. Jean, in the West Indies." "At Sarepta, in Russia, in the province of Saratow." "At Batavia, in Java." Is it not so, dear child?" "I was born in the beautiful West Indies, on
the island of Jamaica." "Oh yes, a very, very long time. "Yes, Sister Agatha, I will come." She was too beautiful for him to
restrain, in dancing, riding, or anything. he
repeated, becoming more and more enthusiastic. I spoke to him
frequently about it, but he had lost all power of self-control. asked the Sister. "Well, surely the Lord called him to be His instrument," interrupted
Sister Agatha. And as far as we can know, he
has worked without flagging for the faith. "Has he, then, left nothing for Carmen?" 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. she
cried. "Nay, say not so, Sister Agatha," he interrupted reprovingly. None of us are
more than humble instruments for good, and have no merit at all of
ourselves." he exclaimed under his breath, "beauty and wealth; they will
indeed compensate for the past." CHAPTER IV. "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. "A widower, sir!" said the young man, slowly. "My brother is only
sixteen years old, and is still at school. The two brothers almost laughed out loud, the position was so
ridiculous. "Nay, my dear sir, remain where you are. Believe me, I thoroughly admire your courage." and passed on. No, she resists them. "Carmen, do you believe I love you?" she inquired. "Surely," answered the girl, quickly. "Then you know that my heart grieves when I cannot feel satisfied with
you," continued the Sister. That is not such a dreadful crime," said Carmen,
cheerfully. "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. That is, after all, pride under the garb
of humility." All that we do, even the weakest, is for
the Lord's glory and praise, and not our own. If we are the Lord's, He is with us, and we care for naught
else. You do
not know what you are saying," cried Agatha. "Do you know how you
feel when you come in contact with a reptile, a snake? She tore the viper from my arm, and flung it far away,
among the bushes. "Perhaps not for all the world," interposed Agatha; "but for your own
salvation you must do it. We are not put into this world to please
ourselves, but to further the progress of the kingdom of God." cried the girl, bursting
into tears. "No, Carmen, I will not compel you, although it grieves me for your
sake," said Agatha. And kissing Carmen, she dismissed her. "Perhaps
she was right. She extinguished the light, and sought repose from her anxieties. 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. You
see in me only the grave, elderly man who wants you for his wife, and
therefore you reject him. Look in my eyes, and let the love you
read there serve to kindle a like feeling in you. Give me your
love, then, my darling, and say you will be mine!" "Carmen, you surely cannot mean what you say. Calm yourself, and do not make this a final decision." "I cannot do otherwise," she said firmly. "Now let me, I pray, go on
my way in peace. said he, in an humble
tone. 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." A deep sense of desolation, came
over her. She
avoided Brother Jonathan, and he seemed to shun her no less
assiduously. "I came to find a cushion for Frau von Trautenau," she remarked
confusedly. "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. "Will you not try it with me, Fraulein Carmen?" "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. But she drew back, and gave him a horrified
look. "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. CHAPTER VI. He took off his hat, and folded his hands as if in silent
thanksgiving. It was a lovely, peaceful picture, and seemed to affect the man very
deeply. He had crossed the ocean, and
revelled in the contemplation of its grandeur. And now he was back again--the tall, erect form so bowed down. Was it
sorrow, guilt, or exhaustion from the journey? he murmured to himself, and his bosom heaved
with suppressed emotion. "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. "Yes, I know it. Then he pulled
the bell at the Sisters' door, and requested to speak with Agatha. he asked,
trembling with intense suspense. 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. cried Agatha, and sank into a chair. CHAPTER VII. "Rejoice, dear Carmen," she said. my dear, dear father!" After a little while, he gently turned her face up
towards him, and examined her features. You are your mother over again, as I first saw her
under the palms and fell in love with her. he said, and he smiled through happy tears. "You will stay with me now, dear father? she asked anxiously. 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. "I did indeed send some, my child, but they never reached you. At length I escaped on horseback, and
succeeded in reaching the Mongolian steppes. 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! In the centre of the aisle, which was filled with
people, he met the three men. he asked hoarsely, and fell to the ground. "Do not trouble yourself, dear father. She felt a shiver run through him as she mentioned the name. "Can I help you in any way, dear father?" his daughter asked. After a long time he looked again at Carmen in a troubled, sorrowful
way, and sighed deeply. "Tell me about him," he murmured. "What do you mean, father?" asked Carmen, bending over him. CHAPTER VIII. 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. cried Jonathan. 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. "But
I must give you a prescription, that you may gain your strength more
quickly. 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. This man ruled her, in spite
of her dislike. You know, Brother Michael, my remedies are very powerful." Was it
her anxiety about her father, or was it the old man's weakness? Gay and merry, like her," he would say with
emotion, his eyes beaming with love. "Most beneficially," replied Mauer. "Just as I thought," said the other, smiling kindly. "It must be with my dear father as it is with me," she said to herself
by way of explanation. said Mauer to his daughter, deeply mortified. The renouncing of our own will, and compliance with the wishes of
others, has all to be learned over again." "Who is dead, Carmen?" asked Mauer, listening intently as he sat by the
window. I remember the
air, as I do that of all our funeral hymns. "Oh, my father, you must not speak thus!" said Carmen, anxiously. CHAPTER IX. "How pretty it will be here, father! asked Mauer. "We are all of this world as long as we live. "We do not think ourselves better, child, but on a surer road to become
so," interrupted the father. he added, with a sigh. "Yes father," she said, with a fond smile. "Listen, father; are not those shots?" Suddenly a flash was seen among the trees, followed by a roar, this
time louder than before. "Oh, there they are!--the soldiers! 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. asked
Mauer, astonished at her enthusiasm. "I met some of them at Wollmershain," she replied quickly. "No, not all of them. You seem to have received very deep
impressions; deeper, I am afraid, than is good for you." Suddenly a large body of cavalry wheeled around from a screened corner
in the woods, and the spectacle became more and more lively. "I could sit here all day and watch them," she said. "It cannot be
late, father, is it? replied Mauer, looking at his watch. "Why, my child,
it is almost twelve." "Then I must go at once. 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. Nothing is needed in their simple life, except
one thing. Suspense was written on every face, but no one showed any
fear. The name passed from lip to lip, and echoed
through the room. they called, repeatedly, but no answer came. "Here I am," she repeated, stepping forward. The lots
have just now been cast, and the Lord has directed it to you." said Carmen, with an air of perplexity, turning her astonished
glance on the speaker, as if she did not understand what he was saying. This is indeed degradation,
slavery! Let me go to my
father; he is my natural protector, and he alone has the right to
dispose of me." Gently unclasping her arms from
Agatha's neck, she left the room. Raising her up, he gazed into her pale
countenance. what has befallen you, my child?" "Father, they have cast lots for your child!" Father, protect me!" No, Carmen, be at rest, my darling. "I knew you would help me, my own dear father! I rejected the choice,
and hastened to you for support." 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? he asked slowly. "He is your friend, and you become so
agitated when he is mentioned. He embraced
and kissed me against my will, and then begged I would be silent about
it. Now
I have told it, and I am glad you know all about the matter." "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. "You are troubled; I know it, and have come to help you," he said at
last, in his gentlest tones. "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. said Mauer, sadly. She
surmised what he was aiming at, but uttered never a word. "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. "Child, cannot you make yourself do it for my sake?" "No, never! "You cannot be my wife, Sister
Carmen? "You will do well to consider the matter calmly, and give me your final
decision, Brother Michael. Saying thus, he left the room. But they stirred not. she asked. He, a friend, against his friend!" "Father, my thoughts are so perplexed by all this. Mauer sighed deeply. Carmen rose, and began to pace restlessly up and
down the room. 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. Listen, then, Carmen." At length he spoke. We arrived in May, and were in a short time quite settled. I named two Sisters of whom I had
thought, hoping that one or the other would come to me. When my new wife arrived, I was
greatly shocked. She was, not only homely of face, but deformed in
figure. But hers
was a narrow, severe nature, from which no congeniality could be
expected. Then came a fatal hour
for me. "When I rode away, she was standing under the trees, and waved her hand
to me in farewell. Mauer paused, affected by his own words. Can you remember them,
Carmen? "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. Ah, Carmen,
they were to me like words of deliverance. She snatched the spoon from my hand, and I turned away
my head. Time passed on; the clock ticked as usual, I know not whether for
minutes or hours. I got up to let the visitor in, for the servants were in bed. To my surprise, in walked
Brother Jonathan. he inquired hastily; and I answered
softly, 'She sleeps.' he asked again, and
put the vial in his pocket. 'Strange,' he said. At the foot of the bed stood the physician,
Brother Jonathan. You have saved her life in the storm, and she has confessed to me that
she loves you, and hopes you return her affection. I laid one hand on the graceful, girlish head, and the other in
that of the dying man. "Scarcely was the ceremony over, when he drew his last breath. When I left the house, after handing the weeping
girl over into the hands of her faithful nurse. It was then that I formed the resolution to atone with
my life for the crime. I parted from you, the
one single thing that remained to me of Inez. You have heard his threat, and he will,
without fail, carry it out. He was silent, and dared not look at Carmen, for he feared to read what
might be written on her countenance. 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. "Be comforted, dear father, and trust in God!" she said lovingly. She was silent a moment, sunk in deep thought. You must look out for us, and
get the best shelter you can." "We will, mein Herr. "Herr Officer, I must
humbly beg that the guns be removed." The man must be a fool." "Herr Officer," he said modestly, "I have room in my house for a few
men. "With many thanks, kind sir," was the reply. The man chose the first six which came to hand, and carried them off
with him. asked Alexander, somewhat impatiently. "Oh, of course," said Martin, with compassion. I hope you will not disgrace me
while I go to seek my sister, before it is too late. 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. Ah, how her poor bleeding heart ached! Adele told me I would find you here, in the
house with the portico." 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. It troubles me sorely, oh,
believe me, to find you in such sorrow." As he poured question after question upon her, she
attempted at last to speak. "They have cast lots for me to-day," she stammered. he asked, flushing angrily. she cried. he cried
passionately, and drew her closer to him. 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. he asked mockingly, as he approached
nearer. "A pleasant answer, surely, for me to listen to! 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. 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. It seemed
like a halo to Alexander; he gazed at it fixedly, as if it were an omen
of happiness for him. CHAPTER X. "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. Ah, how much I have still to correct in myself! I praise Thee, and would not think of my trials, if only I am counted
worthy to suffer for Thy sake." And yet it must be. He took Sister Ursula, an aged widow, as his
servant and housekeeper. CHAPTER XI. "Be brave, dear heart!" he said. she asked in a tone of anguish. "How good you are, dear Sister Agatha!" said Carmen, pressing her hand
affectionately. "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. Now I am ready to go." "Father, let us hope God will spare you to us!" to be at rest. 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. "Father I
promise you I will remain faithful to my God, and endeavor to keep His
laws." he said humbly. "Yes, my father, I cannot live without it." CHAPTER XII. Mauer opened his eyes at the sound, and looked up vacantly as
if he did not recognize Jonathan. asked Jonathan. At the sound of his voice, the sick man shivered as if from an icy
breath of wind. As the old man spoke, Jonathan looked at him sharply and searchingly. he said scornfully. if it had been only the drops you
gave her, she would be alive now; but nothing could have saved her. he
stammered, with fast-failing voice. continued Jonathan, pitilessly. "Yes, I knew you looked on yourself as a murderer! He was silent, and stood with folded arms, looking down gloatingly on
Mauer. Suddenly a dark form rose, shadowy and
indistinct. he gasped, and shrank back. "No. Oh, father, my poor,
persecuted father! And she threw herself again by the bed, and cast
her arms about her dying parent. It was Jonathan, who was trying to make his
escape from the room. "Do you see this holy, peaceful rest? How does his sin compare with
yours, in the eyes of the One above?" she replied. he said gently. "Carmen," she said, "your accusation is not needed. he exclaimed, stamping his foot with rage. commanded Agatha. "To
him mercy will be shown; but you, Jonathan, will be condemned here and
in the world to come. She pointed to the door. It was the body of Brother Jonathan Fricke.