The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-02-15

lemna, ana no mad tffanked xnUlUr Iu0'
slight service-he seemed to be In
formed Of everything, and to have ex-
pected me somewhat--we passed from
the usual forms of politeness to q
lively conversation that extended over,
every possible topic. The time passed
as If on wings; almost an hour thus;
passed in chatting with the amiable old;
gentleman, and yet Fraulein Eveline'
had not appeared. But when at part
ing 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 afterwards re-
ceiyed a delicately written card-de-
cidedly lady's handwriting-- lin
which Herr Gen. von GerdshoR did
himself the honor to invite Herr Baron
Won T. to dine. must confess never
received an invitation with similar joy.
What was the excitement and expec-
tation of the first court ball, as COM
pared with the impatient throbbing Of
my heart with which ], on the ap-,
pointed day, betook myself to the din
ner. 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 house9 !.
There stood Eveline with her friends,
her graceful figure moving with be-
witching grace among the guests; for
she was obliged to assist that aged,
somewhat conventional looking lady
in doing the honors OF the house-the
generals wife had been dead many
years-and I could not help admiring
the tact and self possession with which
she, in spite Of her youth, so charm
ingly filed the position of hostess.
Here she asked an old gentleman after
the health Of his sick spouse; there
she whispered some pleasant remark
to young lady about her tasteful
toilet, or repelled too gallant cavalier
with scornful glance or q saucy an
swer. With each and all she knew
just the right tone to take. She was
surrounded by oil. Every one flocked
about her, who, like an apparition out
of story book, moved around among
those nodded fashion plates. And yet
there lay in her violet eyes, when she
believed herself to be unobserved, a
sad expression which did not accord
with the conventional smile of the
sweet, small mouth.
At length the signal for dinner was
given. Eveline laid the tips of her
dainty fingers on tho arm Of tall,
blonde cavalier, q cousin of the family.
10 my great annoyance, my portion
was Countess Soundso, no longer in
the first bloom of youth. Unjust add
that I had secretly hoped to see Eve
lines angelic head at my side. With
O mien which was certainly not very
amiable, I offered the countess. my,
arm and led her to the places desig-
mated for us. Though otherwise
most estimable lady, she almost drove
me to despair with her loquacity, and
while she even before soup inquired
about my recent journey in the East,
and expressed desire to hear some
thing about my last. new work, my
glance strayed impatiently past the
questioner in a vain search for Eveline.
l had not had the opportunity to ex-
change one word with her. She had
only nodded to me from across the
room, pleasantly and confdingly, as
to an old acquaintance.
my arm, and voice I only too we'll
remembered asked, shyly, and at the
same time saucily:
nize his protege2"
I turned quickly, and, yes, there in
deed was Evelino, who had been sit
without my having observed her. My
escort, tho cousin in the Guards, very
soon understood how much they might
expect to be entertained by Eveline or
myself during the four or five hours
passed ut the table. How the time sped
and what were the general topics of
conversation we never knew. But I
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 Paumwolfl To this fond, proud
thought / concentrated all my mind
and efforts. With rapture I noticed
how her eyes hung so earnestly on my
lips as told her of my travels, aid
my restless wandering about from one
distant land to another. And when I
spoke of my dear solitary Barwalde,
with its sombcr fir trees and its rush
grown ponds, Of my immense library
and the beautiful grand piano which I
often trusted to the hands of my over
seer, just to have some accompanying
instrument to my beloved violoncello;
when I said, Surely Fraulein Eveline
also plays on the piano, and very much
better, too, than my overseer," q
thoughtful smile spread over the dear,
sweet face. She loved music very
much, she replied, and it would give
her pleasure to accompany me some
day.
II hope you will do that at Bar
walde," cried,s passionately. She
dropped her lids over the clear, violet
eyes, and deep blush spread over her
cheek.
Eight days afterwards Eveline was
my betrothed. What did I care for
all the Paumwolfs in the whole worldF Z
On one of the very first days of our
engagement we met tho betrothed
pair. Maier and Paumwolf on tho