The Strange Tale of the Snake Ring by John Holroyd Read Free Book Online Page A

time I very much fear that he will never return.”
    Gerda was very shocked by this remark. “Do you know something? Have you had news?” she cried. “Is there bad news that I should know?”
    â€œCalm yourself,” replied Wilhelm gently. “We have had no news. We know no more than you do. But after so many years and months you should prepare yourself for the worst. Perhaps you should try to forget about him.”
    â€œI could never forget him,” Gerda burst out, her tears flowing more freely now.
    Now Robert spoke for the first time. He was a quiet, thoughtful young man, and was very fond of Gerda. He tried very hard to comfort her.
    â€œDear Gerda,” he said quietly, “do not upset yourself. If Thomas returns, we shall welcome him like a long-lost brother. There will always be a place for him on the farm. What you will do if you are married, I cannot tell. It will depend on his wishes, and on his situation. In the meantime, you and I have always been like brother and sister, and that we shall always be.”
    At this, Gerda stopped crying and became calmer.
    So the family continued to discuss the details of Wilhelm’s plan, and before bedtime that night had agreed that on the very next day, Robert would ride into the town, and find a thatcher who would come and make the roof of the cottage weather-proof, and a builder who would do various repairs to make it fit to live in once more.

    * * *
    Just before Wilhelm and Gertrud moved into their cottage, now cosy and comfortable, they had a visit from the parish priest. Father Paulus was an old friend, and had known Robert and Gerda since they were very young children. He had visited Wilhelm in the convent infirmary when he was seriously ill, and was pleased to see him looking so much better. But when he heard what they planned to do, his face grew very serious.
    â€œListen, my old friend,” said Father Paulus quietly. “It is good that you and your wife should retire from the hard work of the farm, and live quietly in your cottage. But you must not allow Robert and Gerda to live together in the farmhouse unless they are married. The Church would regard that as a great sin.”
    â€œBut why?” asked Wilhelm. “They have always been like brother and sister, and that is how they will always be.” “That may be so,” answered the priest. “But Gerda is adopted. She is really no relation to Robert. So it would be just the same as if they were complete strangers.”
    Wilhelm was taken aback by what Father Paulus had to say. He imagined all his plans for the future in ruins. He turned to the priest. “Then what can we do?” he asked.
    â€œTwo things are possible,” he replied gravely. “Either they must get married, even though it might be a marriage in name only. Or, a reliable lady of mature age must be found, who would live in the farmhouse with them.”
    When the priest had left, Wilhelm sent for Gerda and explained what Father Paulus had said. He also made it clear to her that marriage was the only way.
    â€œWe are already paying a man to work on the farm,” he said. “There is no way that I could also pay a woman to live in the house. There is still no word from Thomas, nor any sign of his returning. So, for my sake and Gertrud’s, will you consider marrying Robert?”
    Wilhelm looked so worried, his face white and drawn. Gerda was afraid that the worry would make him ill again. So she promised that she would go away and think seriously about it, and give her answer the next day.
    Next morning she sought out Wilhelm and not without a few tears, spoke to him thus: “Dear Wilhelm, you and Gertrud have loved me and surrounded me with kindness all my life, and I would hate to do anything to make you unhappy. I still love my Thomas dearly, but I am beginning to believe that you are right, and that he will never return. So I am asking you if you are able to