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

ilio 10 " ldNOlllC IluuiiG VI OuAo,
explained the old lady. But the SUI
is getting uncomfortably warm, and i
is high time that Peter should come TO
me-"
Peter did presently appear, and as h,
leisurely wheeled his mistress homo
ward, | walked by her side, leaving
Traverse and Bertha to follow.
On arriving at the chateau, madame
accompanied by her companion, went
away to attend to her toilet, she said
and Traverse and | were for q few
moments left alone in the saloon.
1t is all up with me, Elliott" he
said, in low voice, but with singular
firmness. "lt is an unworthy pride
after all, which would lead q man to
sacrifice the woman he loves to
aristocratic prejudice. l now know
that / do really love Bertha; and if
she will have me l will marry her.
She is a perfect lady in all but birth. y
1t was no time for remonstrance.
Julia's step was in the hall. and after
ward Madame Estorf again made her
appearance, arrayed en- grand toilet
for dinner.
"Shall we see the Fraulein Hansing
again p l ventured to whisper to
Julia, but madame's quick ear lad
caught the question.
"The Fraulein Hansing will not ap-
pear at dinner" she said, quietly !;
"but l will introduce you to my grand
daughter, Fraulein Estorf. All, here
she is, in good time!"
A graceful, elegant girl, richly
dressed in silk and lace, stood in the
doorway. Could it he possible? This
young lady was certainly our landlady's
daughter. There were the same regular
features, the same roguish eyes, though
her manner was now one of more
stately dignity.
Traverse stood as if petriied. But
the young lady came forward and
offered her hand to both of us, with a
charming air of archness and grace.
"You have known me beforeas your
landlady's daughter" she said. "That
was your own fault in the first in
stance and not mine. l am Bertha
EStorf."
1t did not take long to explain the
mystery.
"The Frau lansing is my foster
mother said the young lady, "and
when | go to Neureide, as sometimes
do on business for my grandmother, |
stay at her house. She was expecting
her daughter on the occasion when [
met you, but grandmamma concluded
to send me and allow Bertha to visit
her mother later. j did not know of
you gentlemen being at Neureide, and
since it pleased you to take me for
your landladys daughter, l thought it
best to humor you in the fancy. Isn't
that sufficient explanation, grand
she added, with a charming
smile us she turned toward the old
lady.
"Quite sufficient for the present.
We were all in the secret, my little
English cousin included" she said,
glancing at Julia, whose eyes were
sparkling with delight through the
half-deprecating look which she cast
ut me
"You will forgive my deceit, won't
you?" she whispered, as we proceeded
down the long gallery to dinner. "But
it seemed such fun! A real plot, such
rs we read of in novels. And, do you
know" she added, lower still, II think
1t will end as novels do, in q mar
riage!"
"In two marriages. | corrected
her. And, as it turned out, my pre-
LECTION was fulfilled.
l and my wife pay visit every
summer to the Chateau Rotherberg,
and admire Mrs. Traverse's embroid-
cry and her husbands pictures. And
which is the happiest couple perhaps
;he reader would find it difficult to
decide.