Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/327

Rh "Do not frighten me, but tell me quickly, what is it?"

"Victorka was struck by God's messenger!"

Grandmother clasped her hands. It was some time before she could utter a word, then two great tears rolled down her cheeks. "God loved her, let us be glad that he has called her home!" she said quietly.

"Her death was easy," said the gamekeeper.

Just then the children and Mr. and Mrs. Proshek came out, and hearing the sad news stood mute with grief. At length Mr. Proshek said: "I was greatly concerned about her before the storm, when I saw her standing under the tree. I called, I motioned, but she only laughed. I saw her then for the last time. It is well."

"Who found her, and where?"

"After the storm I went into the woods to see if much damage had been done; I reached the top of the hill where those united fir trees stand, as you know, just above Victorka's cave. I saw something lying under some green fir branches and called, but there was noreply. I looked up to see where the branches came from. Both the firs, on the sides next to each other had their branches and bark torn off from top to bottom. I raised the branches; beneath them lay Victorka—dead. I shook her, but she was already cold. From her shoulder to her foot, on the left side, her clothes were scorched. I suppose she was pleased at the storm,—she always laughed when it lightened,—and ran up on the hill,—there is a fine view from that fir, and there death overtook her."