Show 61 THE STUDENT — A TALE OF GERMAN BROTHERHOOD too— but I yead 'in it their whole secret mayliap even more than they knew themselves Well had it been if I alone had witnessed this hut there was another at my side who saw it also and whispered in my ear: “Der Zalimc is in love” I turned round and it was Eisendecker his face sallow and sickly while large circles of dark olive surrounded his eyes and gave him an air of deep suffering “Did you see that !” said he suddenly as he leaned his hand on my arm wheroit shook like one in ague “ Did you see that V “ What 1 — the flower” ' “ Yes — the flower She dropped it she when crossed the room ! ' You eaw him take it up— didn’t you V The tQne he spoke in was harsh and hissing as if he uttered tluT words with his teeth clenched It was clear to me now that lie too was in love with Frederica and I trembled to think of the cruel shock their friendship must sustain fcre long A short time after when I was about to retire" Eisendecker took my arm and said “ Are you for going home ? May I go with you ” I gave a willing assent our lodging being near and we spent much of every day in each other’s chambers It was the first time we had ever returned without waiting for Muhry and fearing what a separation once begun might lead to I stopped suddenly on the stairs and said as if suddenly remembering— “ we are going without Adolplie” Eisendeeker’s fingers clutched me convulsively and while a bitter laugh broke from him he said “You wouldn’t tear them asunder y —would the way I fearful sion of you?” For the rest of he never spoke again and of awakening the expresthat grief which when avowed became confirmed never opened my lips save to say — Good night” I never intended to involve myself in a regular story when I began this chapter nor must I do so now though sooth to say it would not be without its interest to trace the career of these two vouths who now became gradually estranged from each qthcr and were no longer to he seen as of old Talking with arms on each other’s hpitlders-ss-thmost perfect realization of true brotherly affection Day by between cret of day the distance widened them each knew the the other’s heart vet dared to fponk of it se- nei-thc- distrust there is but a short step to dislike — alas it is scarcely even a step They parted Another change came over them and a stranger still Eisendecker the violent youth of ungovernable temper and impetuous passion — who loved the wildest freak of stiu dent daring and ever was the first to lead the way in each mad scheme now become silent and thoughtful — a gentle sadness tempered down the fierce traits of his hot nature and lie no longer frequented the old haunts of the cellar and the lighting school but wandered alone into the country and spent whole days in solitude Yon Muliry oil the other hand seemed to have assumed the ‘castaway mantle' of his once friend the gentle bearing and almost submissive tone of his manner were exchanged for an air of conscious pride — a demeanor that bespoke a triumphant spirit — and the quiet yoith suddenly seemed changed d to a rash boy reck-les- s from very happiness During this time Eisendecker liad attached himself particularly to me mid although I had always hitherto preferred Yon Muliry the feeling of the other’s unhappiness — a sense r From liigli-spiritc- of compassion it was easy to for suffering which sec was great— drew me closer in my friendship towards him and at last I scarcely saw Adolplie at all— and when we did meet a mutual feeling of embarrassment separated and estranged us from each other About this time I setoff on an excursion to the Hartz mountains to visit the Brocken and see the mines —my absence delayed beyond what I first intended was about four weeks — and I returned to Gottingen just as the summer vacation was about to begin About five leagues from Gottingen on the roadtoNordlicim there is a village called Meissner a favorite resort of the students in all their festivals — while at something less than a mile distant stands a water-mil- l on a little rivulet among the bills — a wild sequestered spot overgrown with stunted oak and brushwood A narrow bridle-pat- h leads to it’ from the village and this was tlm most approved place for settling all those affairs of honor whose character was too serious to make it safe to decide nearer the university? for strangely enough — while by the lawa of the university duelling was rigidlydcnounc-e- d — yet however the quarrel was decided by the sword the authorities never o ahpoat never inter- -' fered—but if a pistol was the weapon the thing took a more serious aspect Toward the mill I was journeying at the easy pace of my pony early on a summer’s morning: preferring the rural breakfast with the miller — for they are always a kind of innkeepers — to the fare of the village I entered the little bridlepath that conducted to his door and was sauntering listlessly along dreaming pleasantly as one does when the song of the lark and the flowd heavy odors of ers steep the heart in a happiness all its own — when behind me I heard the regular tramp of march- iug I listened-- had I been a stran- gcr to the sound I should have thought them soldiers — but I knew too well the measured tread of the student and I heard the gingling of their heavy sabres a peculiar clank a student’s ear cannot be deceived in I guessed at hmee the object of their coming and grew sick at heart to think that the storm of men’s stubborn passions and the strife of their revengeful should desecrate a peacefvil little spot like this I was about to turnback disgusted at the thought when I remembered I must return by the same path and meet them — but even this I shrunk from Tho footsteps came nearer and I: had barely time to move off the path into the brushwood and lead my pony after when they turned the angle of the way They who walked first were muffled in their cloaks whose high collars concealed their faces but the caps of many a gaudy color proclaimed them students At a little distance behind1 and with a slower step came another party among which I noticed one( who walked between two oers his head sunk on his bosom au$ evidently overcome with emotions A movement of of deep sorrow my horse at this instant attracted their attention toward the' thicket — they stopped and a voice called out my name I looked round' and there stood Eisendecker before me lie was dressed in deep mourning and looked pale and 'worn —his black heard and moustache deepening the haggard expression of his features to which the red bori ders of his eyelids and his bloodless lips gave an air of the deepest “ Ah my friend” sai suffering he with A sad effort at a smile “ you are here quite apropos I a going to fight Adolphe this moni ing” A fearful presentiment that such was the case came over 'pie the instant I aw him — hut wkcsi dew-presse- na-tu- re |