The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-09-12

winch caused me DlOOd 10 lily IKE
lightning through my veins, which
made me remark with almost tender
interest the elegant brass plate with
The name engraved "Von Gerdshof."
Now Courage The bell is pulled
I am in for it
An old servant dressed in livery au-
swered my ring, and on my asking if
the master was at home, took my card
and left me with the conventional IL
will inquire !" but soon returned and
opened for me the lofty folding door
to the left of the entrance. His assur-
ance that the master would be pleased
to see me sounded very consoling to
me.
Within the elegantly furnished salon
found the general, an old dignified
gentleman, with erect, military bearing
martial, but not unfriendly oounte-
nance, and long gray beard, which,
however, was carefully shaved from
the broad chin. After | had express.
ed to him my pleasure at being able to
help his daughter in her dilemma, and
he had thanked me for the slight SER
vice--he seemed to be informed of ev-
erything, anl to have expected me
somewhat--we passed from the usual
forms of politeness to lively conver-
sation that extended over every posi-
BILE topic. The time passed as if on
| wings almost an hour was thus spent
in chatting with the amiable old gen.
tlemaD, and yet Fraulein Eveline had
not appeared. But when at parting
the general said he hoped to see me
often at his house during my stay in
the city, could not refrain from press
sing bis hand in deep heartfelt graft.
tude. Not long afterwards l received
a delicatey written card--decidedly
lady's hand writing-in which Herr
General Won Gerdshoff did himself the
honor to invite Herr Baron Won t
to dine must confess | never had
received an invitation with similar Joy.
What was the excitement and expecta.
tion of the first court ball, as compared
with the impatient throbbing of my
heart, with which !, OH the appointed
day, betook myself to the dinner. A
numerous company had already assem-
bled ; many of the persons were known
to me, were indeed friends, so that l
soon found myself delightfully."- situa-
ted
And the daughter of the house
There stool Eveline with her friends,
her grateful figure moving with be-
witching grace among the guests for
she was Obliged to assisted that aged,
somewhat conyentiona!-looking lady in
doing the honors of the house-the
Generals wife had been dead many
years--and could not help admiring
the tact and self-possession with which
she, in spite Of her youth, so charming
ly filed her position AS hostess. Here
she asked an old gentleman after the
health of his sick spouse there whis-
pered some pleasant remark to young
lady about her tasteful toilet, or repel
ed too gallant cavalier with scorn-
full glance or saucy answer. With
each and all she knew Just the right
tone to take. She was surrounded by
all. Every one flocked about her, who.
like an apparition out of store-book,
moved around among those moulded
fashion-plates. And yet there lay in
her violet eyes, when she believed her.
self to be unobserved, sad expression
which did not accord with the conven-
tional smile of the sweet, small mouth.
AT length the signal for dinner was
given, Eveline laid the tips of her
dainty fingers on the arm of tall
blonde cavalier, cousin of the family.
To my great annoyance my por-
ton was the Counters Soundso, no
longer in the first bloom of youth. l
must add had secretly hoped to see
Eveline's angelic head at my side.
With mien which was certainly not
very amiable l offered the countess my
arm and led her to the place designat-
ed for us. Though otherwise most
estimable lady she almost drove me to
despair with her loquacity, and while
she even before sonp inquired about
my recent journey in the East and ex-
pressed desire to hear something
about my last new work, my glance
strayed impatiently past the questioner
in vain search for Eveline, I had
not had the opportunity to exchange
one word with her. She had only nod
ded to me from across the room, pleas.
antly and contidingly, as to an old ac-
quaintance.
| Pretty soon | felt a gentle touch on
my arm, and voice only too well re-
membered asked shyly aud at the same
time saucily
"Does mein Herr no longer recog-
nize his protege =
l turned quickly, aud yes, there in
deed was Eveline, who had been sit
ting next to me for full five minutes
without my having observed her. My
neighbor, the Countess, and Eveline's
escort, the cousin in the Guards, very
soon understood how much they might
expect to be entertained by Eveline OF
myself during the four or five hours
passed at the table. How the time
sped and what were the general topics
of conversation we never knew. But
l was entirely happy during the whole
time. Not once did discover in her
eyes that melancholy dropping which
had before made me anxious Oh, if
| could only succeed in making her
forget Paumwolf. To this fond, proud
thought ! concentrated all my mind
and efforts. With rapture | noticed
how her eyes hung SO earnestly on my
lips as | told her of my distant travels,
and of my restles wandering about
from one distant land to another. And
when J spoke of my dear solitary Bar
walde, with its sombre fir trees, and its
rush grown ponds of my immense i;
brary and the beautiful grand piano
which | often trusted to the hands O.
my observer, just to have some accom-
pany instrument to my beloved violon
cello, when said, surely, Frauline
also plays on the piano, and very mucl
better too, than my observer {
thoughtful smile spread over her dear
sweet face, She loved music very
much, she replied, and it would giv'
her pleasure to accompany me som'
day.