Walda | Page 9

something in the roots. Everett was interested. It was clear that
Hans Peter was executing some commission that would not find favor
with the elders. Lest he might excite suspicion, Everett turned his back
and looked down the dusty road. The simple one ran lightly past him.
Everett was still facing the road when he saw a girl come towards the
mill. She passed the stranger, who was almost hidden by the wild
clematis-vine that covered a bush near him. She was pretty, after the
flaxen-haired, pink-cheeked type. She went to the tree and took
something that looked like a letter from its roots. She opened it, read it
hastily, and concealed it beneath the black kerchief crossed upon her
breast. With quickened steps she turned back towards the village.
Half-way to the bridge she met the fool, who was returning to the mill.
They spoke a few words, and the simple one continued on his way.

"So you are back?" said Everett, handing a coin to Hans Peter, who put
it in one of his bulging pockets.
"What wouldst thou have me do?" asked the simple one.
"I would have you sit there on the grass and answer my questions, Hans
Peter. First, who is the girl?"
"She is Frieda Bergen, a village maid."
"What was it you put in the tree for her?"
Hans Peter looked aghast. He thrust both hands into his pockets and
appeared to be thinking. He was a strange figure, for there was a
curious blending of shrewdness and foolishness in his expression as he
furtively glanced up at Everett.
"Thou wouldst not tell the elders," he pleaded, presently, "if I trusted
thee? I fear nothing, but I would not make the maid unhappy."
Was it a love-letter that you put there for her?"
Everett could not repress a smile. He was begin ning to believe that he
might find some amusement in watching the people of Zanah. When
the fool remained silent he repeated his question.
"I know not what was in the packet, as I carried it for another," said
Hans Peter. "Thou forgettest that thou art talking to the fool of Zanah."
"Your wisdom makes me lose sight of that fact, Hans Peter. Is not love
against the law of the colony?"
"Yea, all except Hans Peter, the fool, hold it a sin to put their affections
on the things of this world. The simple one cannot understand aught but
that which is of the earth; he cannot reach up to heaven, and so he seeth
nothing wrong in love that maketh men and women happy."
Everett rose and paced up and down the little foot path. "I suppose the
elders are always above temptation?" he remarked, stopping before

Hans Peter. The simple one looked almost wise, and, apparently
forgetting all prudence, said:
"Karl Weisel, head of the thirteen elders, hath been tempted for many
years. He loveth Gretchen Schneider, the daughter of the Herr Doktor
President, but he would have to give up his high place in Zanah if he
were to marry, and so he preacheth much against the wickedness of
loving."
"And what of Gretchen Schneider?"
"She hath always a bad temper; she spieth on all the youths and maids.
Frieda Bergen and Joseph Hoff, who loveth her, fear Gretchen
Schneider most of all in Zanah."
"And what will be the punishment of Frieda Bergen and Joseph Hoff
when it is discovered that they love each other?"
"Marriage," said the simple one, solemnly. "The elders will rebuke
them, and if still they love not God above themselves they will be put
in the third, or low est, grade in the colony."
"And will they ever be forgiven? Will the elders ever restore them to a
high place in Zanah?"
Hans Peter made an awkward little gesture.
"When they have found out each other's faults they may repent; the
Lord's hand may be heavy on them. Then, when they see that love
bringeth pain and grief, they may go before the elders, confess that they
have erred, and when they have proved that they can serve God with
singleness of purpose they will be put in the foremost rank."
Hans Peter spoke as if he were repeating a lesson often conned, and
Everett said:
"You talk not like the simple one, my boy. If I closed my eyes I should
think the Herr Doktor him self were speaking to me. But tell me, Hans

Peter, among all the married people of the village, how many have
failed to repent?"
"Diedrich Werther and Mother Werther alone love much. They are still
in the lowest grade, and it is fifteen years since they were married.
Most of the men and women of Zanah are in the second grade, but the
Herr Doktor and Mother