The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-10-11


front, like the enchanted castles In
story books. And the little fay who
wandered thereinp Was she still awake,
sheltered behind the one single window
Of the gable end, which was still light
ed-grieving, perhaps, about that un-
faithful PaumwolfP With pity, scorn
and-yes, l Will confess it-burning
jealousy in my heart, at length turn
ed my steps homeward to my quiet
lodging.
After a rather sleepless and restless
night, and several anxious morning
hours, | made my way at the proper
time for visiting to, Kurprinzen street.
Now | was on the steps. Oh, the
beating Of my heart, the almost pain
fal oppression that came over mel My
pulses had not throbbed so wildly since
long years ago, when the first volley of
musketry whlstled round my ears. In
the lonely old family estate of Bar
Wade in the Mark, the last few years
had passed away so quietly and mono.
tonously; grave studies and practical
application of knowledge gained in
early and distant travels had occupied
me so exclusively that the etiquette of
the great world had become strange
and unknown so me. And yet it was
not tlmidity alone which caused the
blood to fly like 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
ispulledI am in for I'll
An old servant, dressed in livery
answered my ring and on my asking if
the master was at home, took my card
and left me with the conventional "I
will inquire;" but soon he returned and
opened for me the lofty folding door to
the left entrance. His assurance that
the master would be pleased to see me
sounded very consoling to me.
Within the elegantly furnished salon
found the General, an old, dlgnified
gentleman, with erect, military bear
ing, a martial but not unfrIendly coun-
tenance and long gray beard, which,
however, was carefully shaved from
the broad chin. After had expressed
to him my pleasure at being able to help
his daughter in her dilemma, and he
had thanked me for the slight service
ba qnama1 tn int ~ aua-,,
thing and to have expected me some
what-we passed from the usual forms
of politeness 10 lively conversation,
that extended over every possible topic.
The time passed as if on wings; almost
an hour was thus spent in chatting
with the amiable old gentleman, and
yet Fraulein Eyeline 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 pressing his hand in deep
heartfelt gratitude. Not long after
ward 1 received delicately-written
card-decidedly lady's handwriting
in which Herr General Won Gerdshoff
did himself the honor to invite Herr
Baron Won T TO dine. must con-
fess never received an invitation with
aimilar joy. What was the excite
ment and expectation of the first court
ball, as compared with the impatient
throbbing of my heart, with which l,
on the appointed day, betook myself to
the dinner. A numerous company had
already assembled; many Of the per-
sons present were known to me, were
indeed friends, so that soon found
myself most delightfully."- situated:
And the daughter of the house2
There stood Eveline with her friends,
her graceful dgure moving with be-
witching grace among the guests; for
she was obliged to assist that aged,
somewhat conventional-lookin lady in
doing the honors of the house-the
Generals wife had been dead many
years-and l could not help admiring
the tact and self-possessioD with which
she, in spite of her youth, so charming
ly filled her position as hostess. Here
she asked an old gentleman after the
health Of his sick spouse; there whisper
ed some pleasant remark to young
lady about her tasteful toilet, or repell-
ed a too gallant cavalier with a 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 appariti9n out of a story book,
moved around among those nodded
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 cenven-
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 a tall
blonde cavalier, cousin of Che family.
To my great annoyance my portion
was Countess SoundsO, no longer in the
first bloom of youth. 1 must add
had secretly hoped to see Eveline's
angelic head at my side. With a mien
which was certainly not very amable l
offered the Countess my arm and led
her to the place designated for us.
Though otherwise a most estimable
lady, she almost drove me to despair
with her loquacity, and while she even
before soup inquired about my recent
journey to the East and expressed a
desire to hear something about my last
new work, my glance strayed impa-
tlently past the questioner in vain
search for Eyellna. had not had the
opportunity to exchange one word
with her. She had only nodded to me
from across the room, pleasantly and