ople came up from the valley, and settled around, for the number
of guests constantly increased, and the strangers found the spot so
favorable to health, that it became a favorite winter resort. And thus the
obscure little Fohrensee became, in a few years, a large and flourishing
town, stretching out in every direction.

Gertrude, however, walking sturdily along with the children, was not
going as far as Fohrensee, with its shining white houses. She turned off
into a foot path that led to several scattered dwellings up on the
hillside, and soon reached an open space, on which stood a handsome house,
with large stables near by. Out from the stable, a hostler had just led a
spirited horse, which he began to harness into a light wagon. Instantly
the little boy freed his hand from his mother's, planted himself before
the horse, and could not be induced to move.

"Stay there then, if you want to," said his mother, "we will go on to the
house; but you must take care not to go too near the horse."

The doctor was just hurrying out from his office; he must have had a long
distance to go, for he was starting off before the usual time for office
hours was over. Gertrude apologized, and begged the doctor to excuse her
for not having come earlier to see him; she had been very busy with her
invalid, and could not get away before. "Never mind; as you have come, I
will wait a few minutes," said the physician, briefly; "Come in; how is
your husband?"

Gertrude went into the room, and told the doctor about her sick husband.
It was Steffan, a strong, young man, on whom the mountain sickness had
seized with unusual violence. The doctor silently shook his head. He took
a small mortar that stood on the office table, and shook into it some
stuff which he ground with the marble pestle. His eyes fell on the child
who stood by Gertrude's side, gazing earnestly at the doctors's
occupation. The little creature had something unusual about her, and
attracted attention at once. Under her thick black hair and heavy brows,
her big eyes looked forth with a solemn gaze, as if everything she saw
gave her food for thought.

"He had no one but himself to blame for it, I fancy," said the doctor, as
he filled some small square papers with his powders.

"No, no! he was not the least of a brawler; he was a quiet industrious
fellow. They had rented some of our rooms, and lived there peaceably and
happily for three whole years, and never was an unkind word