The banner-enterprise. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1883-18??, 1883-06-07

|. one can see that she has been brought
up with cultured and refined people
Really, there is something about hel
quite magnetic"
So indeed it appeared, judging from
the frequency with which, on the fol.
lowing day, my friend journeyed up
and down the stairs, at first anxious tC
receive letters and then on some
newly-discovered business which ne
cessitated frequent inquiries at the
door of Frau Hansing's rooms. More
than once, in passing this door, l
beheld him seated on our landladys S
horsehair sofa, engaged in an animated
conversation with Bertha.
"Do you know" said he, with the
air of one communicat ng an important
discovery, "that the Fraulein is as in
telligent and accomplished as she is
beautiful? What pity that she is
only our landla1y's daughter !"
Thus the week passed. For myself, l
only saw Bertha in the evenings. She
certainly was charming girl, refined
, and ladylike, though dressing in a
, simple bourgeoise style, and engaging,
as we had opportunity of observing, in
occupations not above her station
such as knitting stockings for her
mother and assisting the old lady in
household duties, even to cooking and
cleaning. That she did not do this at
the chateau she acknowledged. Her
business there was to walk out with
and read to the old madame, even to
sing and play for her; and she played
uncommonly well, as we had oppor-
tunity for observing.
at is unfortunate" l remarked,
"that the girl has been educated above
her station. She is superior to marry
ing common bourgevise, and is not
yet fitted for higher rank by reason of
her family"
"That is true" said Traverse, slow
ly. "Now, for instance, if 1 were to
think of marrying Bertha, charming
and ladylike though she is, my whole
family would be down upon me and,
in fact" he added, hcsitatingly, al
don't think l could bring myself to take
such step. | shall require good birth
in the woman whom marry"
"Then hadn't you better break off at
once with the Fraulein Bertha? 1t
seems to me that you are carrying this
matter too far not to give it serious
ending"
"She is going away in day or two"
he answered, rather dolefully.
And she did 60. We saw her back
into the stage which was to take her
back to Rudesheim and Madame Es-
tori, and, Judging from her bright face
and laughing adieux, she carried away
a heart as whole as she had brought to
Neureide. But with my friend it was
different, and from the hour of her de-
parture he became restless and dissat
istied. We consequently soon resumed
our pilgrimage up the Rhine. stopping
here and there wherever we found any
thing specially picturesque or interest
ing to afford subject for our amateur
pencils.
1t was on September l that we
reached Bonn. Leaving my friend at
a hotel, / lost no time in making my
way to the Chateau Rotherberg, about
two English miles from the town,
where had the great delight of being
greeted by Julia, looking fairer and
sweeter, l thought, than l had ever
before seen her. Madame Estorf also
accorded me most kindly welcome,
and on learning that | was accom-
panied by a friend, insisted upon our
both dining with her on the following
day.
When l mentioned to Julia our
meeting with Maiame Estorf's pretty
companion at Neureide, she laughed
merrily.
"She is the most arrant of little
coquettes, that Bertha Hansing," she
said. "My cousin has quite spoiled
her, and so indeed has the Fraulein
Estorf. But she is good girl, never
theless, and don't wonder that her
mother is so proud of her."
"Whcre is this Fraulen Estorfp" l
inquired.
81 will introduce you tomorrow.
She is not nearly 30 pretty, in my
opinion, as little Bertha she added,
lightly, "but then she is an heiress,
and confess that were l not so GER
tain of your not being of a mercenary
nature, | should be afraid to expose
you to such temptation. As it is, l
shall insist upon your bringing your
friend, since you describe him as so
handsome and fascinating. That will
deprive you of all chance Of making
an impression upon the heiress,' she
concluded, mischievously.
On taking leave, Julia and Madame
Estorfs nephew, youth on yaca-
tion visit, accompanied me on a pri-
vate path through the grounds. The
scenery was lovely and the view from
the highest point of the shaded terrace
way fine beyond description, and so
told Traverse on my return to the
hotel.
81 viii accompany you tomorrow
as far as that point" he said, "as it
may aid subject to myportfolio, but !
/ must decline the madame's hospit- !,
able invitation. To tell you the truth, ;
Elliott, don't dare expose myself to
the possibility of again meeting Bertha
Hansing.'
l rather approved of the resolution; !
so on the following day we left our con-
veyance at the entrance to the grounds ,
and proceeded a'ong the terraced path ,
way toward the chateau. AT the point ,
of view already mentioned was a little ,
round, open pavilion, upon reaching
which, imagine our surprise to behold
seated there, in comfortable wheeled ,
chair, old Madame Estorf. and by her ,