New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-03-14
IT HAPPENED so.

SCOOu DeSlQe MS BEDSIDE. Cousin Ru-
dolph was on the other. We were
quite alone, for the nurse had been sent
away, and we were very sad, for we
loved our grandfather dearly. We were
waiting to hear something that he had
desired to say to us; and at last he
spoke.
Rudolph" he said, .'you have not
formed any matrimonial engagements
without my knowledge, 1 presume?''
mo, SIR" answered Rudolph.
''Nor you, Felicia?" asked my grand
father
''Oh no." said I.
II am glad of that said he. ..Now,
Rudolph, l know you admire your cou-
sin, and that she respects you. Itwo,ld
rejoice me greatly if you would both
think over proposition which I am
about to make to you. I should like
to see you engaged to each other be-
fore l die. I have left the property
between you, and that would reunite it.
Still, l would not make that my mo-
tive.
II believe you are well suited to each
other; well contrasted in physical ap-
pearance, with the qualities to satisfy
each other. I should know that Felicia
had protector on whom I could RELY,
and you a wife to make you happy.
Think it over, and answer me to-inor-
row."
Neither of us said anything. Soon we
were sent away; but that evening Ru-
dolph came to- me.
Felicia he said, edo you think
you could put up with mep''
Rudolph answered., "even to
please grandpa, l can't marry a husband
who don't love me-
''But do,'' said Rudolph-"dearly.
Nobody could help it,
'And suppose romance is chiefly
found in plays and novels" said L.
''Real love and friendship are what
people actually have in happy married
ooh, as to that, let us be romantic
too,' said Rudolph. ''You see, being
cousins, we've never thought of it: but
[ should be very glad if you could make
up your mind, my DEAR
So the next morning. was sixteen
and Rudolph was eighteen, remember
we promised our grandfather to do as
he wished. We were not to marry un-
til l was twenty and Rudolph twenty
two.
Meanwhile was to be under the pro-
lection of an old friend, since I had no
living relatives; and we were both to
take tour abroad, and to proceed with
our education.
We made our grandfather very hap
py, and wept in each others arms when
he died. However, my feelings did not
alter to Rudolph.
l had always loved him dearly, and
no special romance connected itself
with him. Only I think woman al
ways feels pleased to know that hand
some admirable young man is her very
own for life.
Thus matters were arranged when we
started on our tour in the same steamer
under proper chaperonage.
We did the cities. We saw nature as
seen by other tourists. We looked at
the pictures; heard the music; visited
the libraries.
We were by no means always togeth-
or, and it CHANGED that in Rome was
introduced to a gentleman, young
friend of my chaperon's, who was very
courteous to me, and offered us his es-
cort whenever it was needed.
He was q young sculptor, rich, an
Italian by birth, by name Giovanni
Monoldini, but very, very handsome.
When had known him little while
Rome began to have wondrous charm
for ME. Places / cared nothing for at
first were invested with glamour of
romance. spent days in the galleries
with him, my chaperon asleep in a chair
hnTd by, SI55
Rudolph declared himself sick Of high
art. He spent most of his time at the
house of the father of a school-friend of
his, whom he had met by chance "a fell
low who always had good cigar and
plenty of music. Music was Rudolph's
fancy just then.
How easily we slip into places we
would never enter willingly! One.
morning awoke in my little Roman
bed, under painted ceiling, and with
the light falling upon me through a
stained glass window, and suddenly
recognized the truth.
The romance that had not come to me
with my engagement to my cousin had
come with my acquaintance with Glow
ami. I loved my cousin; but / was in
love with the sculptor, and he with me-.
Oh, the bitter shame I felt!-the deep
contrition! could only say to myself,
II could not help it; and then cry,
Weak, wicked creature, how dare you
say that?''
And then knelt down and prayed
for help, and It seemed to me that L
might pray better in the dim old cathe-
dral SO near US; and dressing myself
hastily, I glided out at the door, telling
= o. - ls oinG -, - :