frederick the great and his family-第43章

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ave　me　if　I　said　'No；'　I　prefer　saying　'Yes。'〃

Anna　Sophia　gave　a　cry　of　delight；　and；　for　the　first　time；　gave　Charles　Henry　a　willing　kiss。　〃Many；　many　thanks；　Charles　Henry；〃　said　she。　〃Now　we　will　all　be　happy。〃

Charles　Henry　sighed。　He　could　not　bring　himself　to　trust　in　Anna's　prophecy。

〃And　now；〃　said　she；　eagerly；　〃how　shall　we　go　about　it？〃




CHAPTER　IV。

FAREWELL　TO　THE　VILLAGE。


In　the　course　of　the　day；　Charles　Henry　accompanied　the　other　boys　to　the　village；　where　an　officer　was　to　call　out　the　names　of　those　who　were　drafted。　As　his　name　was　called　out；　he　did　not　change　countenancehe　remained　as　gay　and　cheerful　as　before；　while　the　other　boys　were　gazing　sadly；　thoughtfully　before　them。　Then　the　officer　handed　each　of　them　a　ticket　upon　which　their　names　were　printed；　and　ordered　them　to　go　immediately　to　the　nearest　city；　Cleve；　and　receive　their　uniforms。　Charles　Henry　requested　a　day's　leave；　as　he　had　various　preparations　to　make　for　his　father；　to　whom　he　wished　to　will　the　little　property　he　had　inherited　from　his　mother。　The　officer　granted　him　one　day。　Charles　Henry　left　the　house　gayly；　but　instead　of　turning　his　steps　toward　the　little　hut　inhabited　by　his　father；　he　took　the　path　leading　to　the　old　school…　house；　where　his　bride　lived。

She　stood　at　her　door　waiting　for　him。　〃Well；〃　said　she；　hastily；　〃is　all　right？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　he；　sadly；　〃I　am　drafted。〃

She　grasped　the　printed　ticket　from　his　hand　and　hid　it　in　her　bosom。　〃Now；〃　said　she；　〃you　have　but　to　bring　me　a　decent　suit　of　clothes。〃

〃My　Sunday　suit；　Anna；〃　said　he；　smiling。　〃It　is　new；　I　intended　to　be　married　in　it。〃

〃I　shall　not　hurt　it；〃　said　she。　〃There　is　a　merchant　at　Cleve；　whom　I　know　to　be　good　and　honestI　will　leave　the　clothes　with　him；　and　next　Sunday　you　can　walk　to　the　city　for　them。〃

〃You　will　not　even　keep　them　to　remember　me　by？〃

〃It　is　impossible　for　me　ever　to　forget　you；　Charles　Henry；　for　I　shall　bear　your　name。〃

〃From　now　on；　throughout　your　whole　life；　you　shall　bear　it；　Anna。　For　when　you　return；　you　will　remember　your　promise；　and　marry　me。　You　will　not　forget　me　when　far　away？〃

〃How　do　I　know　I　shall　return？〃　said　she。　〃A　soldier's　life　is　in　constant　danger。　There　can　be　no　talk　of　marriage　until　this　war　is　over。　But　it　is　now　time　we　were　asleep；　Charles　Henry。　You　and　I　have　many　things　to　do　to…morrow；　we　must　arrange　our　household　affairsyou　for　the　sake　of　appearances；　and　I　in　good　earnest。　Good…night；　then；　Charles　Henry。〃

〃Will　you　not　kiss　me　on　this　our　last　night；　Anna　Sophia？〃　said　he；　sadly。

〃A　soldier　kisses　no　man；〃　said　she；　with　a　weary　smile。　〃He　might　embrace　a　friend；　as　his　life　ebbed　out　upon　the　battle…field；　but　none　other；　Charles　Henry。　Good…night。〃

She　entered　and　bolted　the　door　after　her；　then　lighting　a　candle　she　hastened　to　her　attic…room。　Seating　herself　at　her　father's　table；　she　spread　a　large　sheet　of　foolscap　before　her　and　commenced　writing。　She　was　making　her　will　with　a　firm；　unshaken　hand。　She　began　by　taking　leave　of　the　villagers；　and　implored　them　to　forgive　her　for　causing　them　sorrow；　but　that　life　in　the　old　hut；　without　her　parents；　had　become　burdensome　to　her；　and　as　her　betrothed　was　now　going　away；　she　could　endure　it　no　longer。　She　then　divided　her　few　possessions；　leaving　to　every　friend　some　slight　remembrance；　such　as　ribbons；　a　prayer…book；　or　a　handkerchief。　Her　clothes　she　divided　among　the　village　wives。　But　her　house；　with　all　its　contents；　she　left　to　Father　Buschman；　with　the　request　that　he　would　live　in　it；　at　least　in　summer。

When　she　had　finished；　she　threw　herself　upon　her　bed　to　rest　from　the　many　fatigues　and　heart…aches　of　the　day。　In　her　dreams　her　parents　appeared　to　herthey　beckoned；　kissed；　and　blessed　her。　Strengthened　by　this　dream；　she　sprang　joyfully　at　daybreak　from　her　couch。　She　felt　now　assured　that　what　she　was　about　to　do　was　right；　for　otherwise　her　parents　would　not　have　appeared　to　her。　She　now　continued　the　preparations　for　her　journey　cheerfully。　She　packed　all　her　linen　clothes　into　a　small　bundle；　and　then　scoured　and　dusted　her　little　house　carefully。　Dressing　herself　with　more　than　her　usual　care；　and　putting　her　testament　in　her　pocket；　she　left　the　house。

Anna　took　the　road　leading　to　the　parsonage；　she　wished　to　go　to　confession　to　her　old　pastor　for　the　last　time。　He　had　known　her　during　the　whole　of　her　short　life；　had　baptized　her；　and　with　him　she　had　taken　her　first　communion。　She　had　confessed　to　him　her　most　secret　thoughts；　and　with　loving　smile；　he　absolved　what　she　deemed　her　sins。　He　would　not　break　the　seal　of　confession；　and　she　therefore　opened　her　heart　to　him　without　fear。

The　old　pastor　was　deeply　moved；　and　laying　his　hand　upon　her　head　he　wept。　When　she　had　bid　him　a　long　and　loving　adieu；　and　had　wiped　the　tears　from　her　eyes；　she　left　the　parsonage　and　hastened　to　the　woods；　where　Father　Buschman　was　tending　his　sheep。　As　soon　as　the　old　shepherd　saw　her；　he　beckoned　to　her　his　welcome。

〃I　did　not　see　you　throughout　the　whole　of　yesterday；　Anna　Sophia；〃　said　he；　〃and　my　heart　was　heavy　within　me；　there　was　something　wanting　to　my　happiness。〃

〃I　will　remain　with　you　to…day　to　make　up　for　yesterday's　absence；〃　said　she；　seating　herself　beside　him　and　kissing　him　tenderly。　〃I　could　not　work　to…day；　for　my　heart　aches；　I　will　rest　myself　with　you。〃

〃Your　heart　aches　because　Charles　Henry　must　leave　us；〃　said　the　old　shepherd。　〃You　would　prefer　his　remaining　at　home；　and　not　being　a　soldier？〃

〃No；　I　would　not　prefer　this；　father；〃　said　she；　earnestly；　〃would　you？〃

The　old　man　looked　thoughtful　for　some　time；　then　said：

〃It　will　be　a　great　sorrow　to　me；　Anna　Sophia；　for　he　is　the　last　remaining　light　of　my　youth；　and　when　he　goes　all　will　be　dark　and　gloomy　for　me。　It　does　me　good　to　see　his　bright；　handsome　face；　to　hear　his　gay　morning　and　evening　song；　and　when　you　two　are　sitting　beside　me　hand　in　hand　upon　the　old　bench　at　the　front　of　our　little　hut；　my　youth　comes　back　to　me。　I　see　myself　sitting　on　the　same　bench　with　my　dear　old　womanit　was　our　favorite　seat　when　we　were　young。　When　Charles　Henry　leaves　me；　I　not　only　lose　him；　but　my　whole　past　life　seems　to　vanish　away。〃

〃You　would；　therefore；　prefer　he　should　remain　at　home？〃　said　Anna；　anxiously。

〃If　it　were　possible；〃　said　he；　〃but　it　is　not。　His　king　has　called　him；　he　must　obey。〃

〃But　he　may；　perhaps；　be　allowed　to　stay；　father；　if　you　will　declare　that　you　are　too　old；　too　weak　to　support　yourself；　and　wish　the　only　prop　of　your　old　age　to　remain　with　you；　the　authorities　at　Cleve　may；　perhaps；　grant　your　request。〃

The　old　shepherd　shook　his　head　slowly　and　thoughtfully；　and　said：

〃No；　we　will　not　make　the　attempt；　it　would　be　deception；　and　could　bring　us　no　honor。　I　am　not　too　weak　to　earn　my　own　living；　and　it　would　be　a　disgrace　to　Charles　Henry　if　I　bought　him　off　from　his　duty。　The　world　might　then　think　he　was　a　coward；　and　had　not　courage　enough　to　fight。〃

〃Do　you　think　it　a　disgrace　for　a　man　to　be　wanting　in　courage？〃　said　Anna　Sophia；　gazing　at　him　as　if　her　life　depended　upon　his　answer。

〃I　think　so；〃　said　he；　calmly；　〃it　is　as　bad　for　a　man　to　be　without　courage　as　for　a　woman　to　be　without　virtue。〃

Anna　Sophia　raised　her　dark；　glowing　eyes　to　heaven　with　an　expression　of　deep　thankfulness。　Then　giving　way　to　her　emotion；　she　threw　her　arms　around　the　old　shepherd；　and；　leaning　her　head　upon　his　shoulder；　she　wept　bitterly。　He　did　not　disturb　her；　but　pressed　her　tenderly　to　his　heart；　and　whispered　occasionally　a　few　loving；　consoling　words。　He　believed　he　understood　her　sorrow；　he　thought　he　knew　the　source　of　these　tears。　She　was　weeping　because　all　hope　of　preventing　her　betrothed　from　being　a　soldier　was　now　gone。

〃Weep　no　more；　my　child；〃　said　he；　at　last；　〃your　eyes　will　be　red；　it　will　sadden　Charles　Henry；　and　make　it　harder　for　him　to　say　good…by。　See；　there　he　comes　to　join　usdo　not　weep；　my　child。〃

Anna　raised　her　head　and　dried　her　eyes　hastily。　〃I　am　not　weeping；　father；〃　said　she。　〃I　entreat　you　do　not　tell　Charles　Henry　that　I　have　been　cryingdo　not；　if　you　love　me。　I　will　promise　not　to　be　sad　again。〃

〃I　will　be　silent；　but　you　must　keep　your　word　and　be　cheerful；　so　as　not　to　sadden　the　poor　boy。〃

〃I　will。〃

Anna　Sophia　kept　her　word。　She　gave　Charles　Henry　a　bright；　cheery　welcome。　While　she　was　joking　and　laughing　with　the　old　man；　evening　came　upon　them；　and　as　it　cast　its　shadows　about；　Charles　Henry　became　more　and　more　silent　and　sad。

It　was　now　time　to　drive　home　the　fold；　the　sun　had　set；　and　Phylax　had　collected　his　little　army。　The　old　shepherd　arose。　〃And　now；　my　children；〃　said　he；　〃take　leave　of　one　another。　It　is　the　last　sunset　you　will　see　together　for　many　a　long　day。　Swear　to　each　other　here；　in　the　presence　of　God　and　of　his　beautiful　world；　that　you　will　be　true　to　each　other；　that　your　love　shall　never　change。〃

Charles　Henry　looked　timidly；　beseechingly　at　Anna　Sophia；　but　she　would　not　encounter　his　gaze。

〃We　have　said　all　that　we　had　to　say；〃　said　she；　quietly；　〃we　will　therefore　not　make　our　parting　harder　by　repeating　it。〃

〃It　will　make　parting　much　easier　to　me；〃　cried　Charles　Henry；　〃if　you　will　swear　to　be　true；　and　always　to　love　me。　Though　many　years　may　pass；　Anna　Sophia；　before　we　meet　again；　I　will　never　cease　to　love　you；　never　cease　to　think　of　you。〃

〃This　will　I　also　do；　Charles　Henry；〃　said　Anna；　solemnly。　〃My　thoughts　will　be　with　you　daily；　hourly；　your　name　will　be　constantly　upon　my　lips！〃

Charles　Henry　turned　pale。　He　understood　the　ambiguous　meaning　of　this　oath；　and　it　cut　him　to　the　heart。

〃And　now；　good…night；　Anna　Sophia；〃　said　the　old　shepherd；　〃to…　morrow　evening；　when　your　work　is　done；　I　will　await　you　here。　We　will　have　to　love　and　console　each　other。　Good…night　once　more！〃

〃Good…night；　dear　father；〃　whispered　she；　in　a　voice　choked　with　tears；　as　she　pressed　a　burning　kiss　on　his　brow。

The　old　man　took　her　in　his　arms　and　embraced　her　tenderly；　then　whispered：

〃To…morrow　we　will　weep　together；　Anna　Sophia。〃

Anna　tore　herself　from　his　arms。

〃Good…night；　father！〃and　then　turning　to　Charles　Henry；　she　said：　〃When　do　you　leave　for　Cleve？〃

〃To…night；　at　ten；〃　said　he；　〃I　prefer　going　at　night；　it　is　much　hotter　in　the　day；　and　I　must　be　at　Cleve　at　eight　in　the　morning。　I　will　be　at　your　door　to　night；　to　take　a　last　look　at　you。〃

〃It　is　all　right；〃　said　she；　dryly；　turning　from　him　and　hastening　home。

Night　had　come；　the　village　night…watch　had　announced　the　tenth　hour；　no　light　gleamed　through　the　windowsthe　busy　noise　and　bustle　of　day　had　given　place　to　deep　quiet。　The　whole　village　was　at　rest；　every　eye　was　closed。　No　one　saw　Charles　Henry　as　he　passed；　with　a　bundle　under　his　arm；　and　took　the　path　leading　to　the　old　school…houseno　one　but　the　moon；　that　was　gleaming　brightly　above；　and　was　illuminating　the　solitary　wanderer's　path。

For　the　first　time　he　found　Anna　Sophia's　door　openhe　had　no　need　to　knock。　He　entered　undisturbed　with　his　bundle；　which　contained　the　suit　of　clothes　Anna　had　desired。

Half　an　hour　later　the　door　was　opened；　and　two　tall；　slenderly　built　young　men　left　the　house。　The　moon