American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-09-13
VOL. XIII.
WHO SHALL RULER

"kATHRINA, is my niece dressed yet 10
the ball?" asked the widow of COuncilo
Won Herbcck of a maid who had just theI
entered the room, carrying pile o
shawls, hoods, and winter cloaks.
THE fraulein will soon come down
madame"
The door of the room opened, and
girlish figure, charming as one would
wish to see, rushed in. and threw hel
arms round Frau Won Herbeck.
Emmy, you will tumble your white
tarlatan skirt and your roses and bows by
this rough embrace" said her aunt, in q
warning voice.
The travelling carriage was ready for
them; the servants conducted the ladies
into 1t. put large fur robe over their feet,
wished them safe journey, and then
away they rode over the cracking snow.
Before long they had crossed the boun-
Diary of Birkenwalde, and the manor
house of Charlottenhof-the home of
Judge Lobau-rose before them, gloomy
and massive in the twilight He was a
sutton for the hand of the charming, will
| full creature nestled so costly in the car
riage, but she had prejudice against
him, and had expressed her disapproba-
ton very pointedly to her aunt, who
favored Judge Lobau's suit. Emmy's
contradictory character demanded oppo-
! sition rather than acquiescence from a
| lover, anu ucI CIllci u OHc
was that he always yielded to her wishes
as well as anticipated them. Although
Emmy had said SO much against Lobau,
yet she now leant forward from the cor
! ner of the carriage, put her little head
out of the window, and looked inquiring-
| ly over the building, where all was dark,
save ON the ground floor, which had two
of its windows dimly lighted.
'Lobau has already gone to D.; the
1nu-far roOrue the stewards ,, she MIR
INJURED.
As her aunt did not answer, and drew
her veil still closer over her face, Emmy
leaned her head back among the cushions
and unused over the countless pleasures
which that nights ball would bring her.
Judge Won Lobau, though respected
and loved by those who knew him well,
was often considered by strangers weak
and yielding. He looked upon life with
a clear, far searching gaze; what appeared
to him right and duty he would follow un-
fiinchingly, though the happiness of his
friends and acquaintance was always
considered before his own, which made
lookers-on call him Indifferent to his own
interests. In any ordinary circle of
society one would not meet with more
friendly, amiabie man than Lobau. Woe
to any one, however, who mistoOk the
mildness and politeness of his bearing,
and ventured to be impertinent toward him.
One of the great boosters of the univer-
sity, known and feared as an excellent
duelist. still bore the marks of LObau's
powerful arm in deep scar given him in a
duel provoked by an attempted insolence.
Three years before, when Lobau was
preparing himself for his second judicial
examination, he inherited unexpectedly
the fine estate of Charlottenhof. Every
one now believed he would no longer
trouble himself to finish his studies; but,
being man of influence, would enter at
once upon the possession of his property.
But all were mistaken.
The course of study which he had be-
gun Lobau determined to finish. Soon
after he had had his state examination,
however, he took leave of absence for
several months, to see how life on his es-
tate, and the duties devolving upon it,
would suit him. Lobau placed a capable
person as overseer in Charlottenhof, and
settled his income in the most generous
manner. And he was as benevolent to
his tenants as he could be without injury
to the interests of his neighbors. After
having passed brilliant examination for |
judge, Lobau, toward the end of the sum-
mer, took up his abode at Charlottenhof
At their first meeting, Emmy had taken |
a strong prejudice against him. Her |
beauty and grace fascinated him, and even |
her willfulness and little impertinence APP |
peared So charming, that, although he |
might become little provoked, he never |
really quarreled with her. Then, when
she spoke to her aunt such affection beam
ed in her deep blue eyes, that no one |
could doubt the goodness of her heart.
The stronger the feeling became, the |
harder to bear was the light, hooking
tone which she whom he loved assumed |
toward him.
A few days before the Sylvester ball he
4
his feelings toward her. LObau wished
heartily TO speak to her if he found her
inclined toward him-as he hoped-and
70 have his. fate decided as soon as posi-
ble. Deeply moved, and with his heart
orn with distracting fears, Lobau went to
he Sylvester ball an hour before its COM
To talk calmly on indiffer-
snt topics was impossible; his first word
IN this evening should be spoken to
Emmy.
Lobau stationed himself therefore, in
Dne of the refreshment rooms close to the
ball room, and, sitting. by the window,
the carriages arriving while APP
parently absorbed in the latest edition. of
he newspaper which he held spread out
before him. At last the carriage of the
widow drove to the door, 1t
vas easily to be recognized, with its two
yray horses and large carriage lamps.
-ihc d idiI Iluuly spIdHS up tIc SlcpS |
If the house. Lobau left his station and
vent into the ball room. Emmy had
carcely taken off her winter wrappings
vhen Frau Won Restorf and her daughter
-aura-one of Emmy's friend's-came
ntO the room. With cry of joy the two
-oung girls embraced; then Laura whis-
,ered while she fastened wreath of dark
ed roses in Emmy's hair, "a certain per {
on has just come up stairs with mer'
Il don't know whom you meant re-
lied Emmy, while she turned away her
iead, apparently to accommodate Laura
..NonsenseI you know very well whom
mean; Lobau is not so indifferent to
-ou as you would make us believe" I
"Not Indifferent to me!' cried Emmy, ;
he is just as Indifferent to me as Lord
IerinOr'
Lord Merino," whose real name was
sidor Erlanger, was the only son of the
ichest wool merchant in the province
sIdor had been two years in England to
improve himself in his business, and on !
lis return home, instead of being con-
ented with his own country, affected the
manner of speaking, and The bearing of
he English in the most foolish and in
'ipid manner The young girls of the
place, whom he met at little reading |
;lub, called him in sport Lord Merino" ,
Laura took no further notice of Emmy's
emark the two young girls assisted one
mother to rearrange their toilets, which ,
lad been somewhat disordered during
heir long ride, and then Laura began
new: "SOme one yOu know will want
o dance. the cotillion with Won tonight"
" You mean if wish it, Laura! your
ak is very tiresome: the best thing can