The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-16

| T&EFUNGRY, fatigued and dusty, at last
k-sS reached the uppretentous looking
ESlS clearinghouse of Frau Ebert, to
whom l had letter of recommendation
| from one of her last years boarders. OF
course, Dresden could well boast of finer
and naturally more expensive boarding
| houses, but rs the extent of my finances
| for doing" the principal cities of Germany
were rather limited, and, as unfortunately
or fortunately belonged to that numerous
| sisterhood designated as "old maids" con-
cluded to make the most of my surround
| ingS.
! After a vigorous tug at the door-bell l
| found myself face TO face with what may be
termed the typical German hausrau. She
kindly escorted me into a neat looking
parlor, read my letter and rang in most
! businesS-like manner bell, the summons of
which was answered by rather interesting
| looking young girl, whom l afterward
learned was none other than the daughter
of Frau Ebert.
Elsa" said she, "ths is Fraulein Mel
son, the friend of Mrs. Mark, who recon-
mends her most highly. Conduct her at
! once to the spare room and see that she
| stands in need of nothing"
| Judging by the manner in which these few
| wordS were delivered and by nv thorough
| knowledge OF that all-important science,
| physiognomy, l concluded that had at last
| found true haven of rest for the time | in
! tended to remain in this pleasing and at
! tractiye city.
| My mornings were generally devoted to
| sightseeing. Occasionally was joined by
| Elsa provided she was neither occupied
! with her household work nor her music. in
which art she was perfecting herself in
| order to become q teacher in the Marien-
| schulz. One had need only 10 gaze into the
| depths of those large soft dreamy eyes TO
see that there was being capable OF losing
herself and her surrounding III the realms
of Thalia. Well for her that such was the
| case.
But some trouble was clouding the life of
this girl, whose character was at once simple
and yet so complex.
Prior 10 my meeting this apparently
simple girl, 1 thought such characters as
her were seldom found in reality; that they
were only the production of an authors
lively imagination.
One afternoon on our way 10 the Grosser
Garten, not many days after formed the
above conclusion, noticed that my com
paniOn was somewhat more low-spirlted
than her wont. Our friendship, which at
the outset had been built upon good
foundation, had by this time reached is
full perfection. Notwithstanding this, l
determined | would not take advantage of
the fact but would patiently wait until
Elsa felt inclined to lay bare her heart to
me. We had by this time reached one of
the most lonely and romantic spots OF the
park.
The last rays of the sun had just accent
uated the vivid green leaves OF the weeping
willow, which by Its peculiar growth offered
an inviting retreat TO the tired pedestrian,
when Elsa suddenly stopped as though
tTansiIXed 70 the spot raised her arms in dis
may, and exclaimed in heartrendinG tone:
"Fraulein Nelson, it is toe cruel; if you viii
but take Inc home, shall tell yOu all. Oh,
take me away from here" These few words
were but the outpourlng of all overburdened
heart.
For while we walked in silence; when
We neared the gate of the park, she said in
a trembling tone, my dear Fraulein. L am
sure | shall feel relieved after / tell you ali,
but give me your hand; it will inspire HE
with courage" She then began:
Zone short year ago how little did realize
how unhappy it was my destiny to become.
Mamma, then, just as now, took in few
reliable Doarders; among others was one
Arthur Wycliffe, who was sent by his
city in order 10 perfect himself In the Ger
man language. 1t was bis uncle's intention
to have him installed in the heart of Ger
man family considering this means by
which he could learn The language more
readily aud fiuently) as Sir Edward enter
tanned sanguine IDEAS Of having his nephew
appointed ambassador to the Court ut Ber-
lin.
AT the outset l noticed that Arthur took
great, far toe great an interest in NE; but
such procedure was not by any means dis
agreeaGie 10 me; 10 anticipate seeing him
was % me the acme of terrestrial happiness;
to realize what | anticipated was well,
| FrauleiD, suffice it TO say that loved and
imagined | was loved in return. Mamma
noticed Arthur's marked attentions to
| me and repeatedly warned me. She
said that such high bred gentle
men were seldom in earnest with such maid
ems as myself; that | was a mere novelty,
and that | would be forgotten the moment
Arthur reached his home in England.
"One morning, during our daily walk to the
Altbruckle, just as | was admirng the beauty
of our city as it was bathed in the morning
sunlight Arthur impuisiveiy caught my
hand, pressed it to his lips and eagerly tod
me- that he loved me.
"About a month after this declaration l
noticed that Arthur on our way 10 Grosser
Garten was depressed, that something was
| disturbing his usually equable temper. L
| suggested that we should not frequent the
most public walks that day, but the more
secluded ones, think that perhaps quiet
ness would have beneficial effect upon his
| spirits. Scarcely had we reached the spot
near the weeping willow, which you and
| just left, when Arthur, with the most painful
expression depicted upon his countenance,
| produced letter from his ocket, which he
| bade me read. l trembIingly took the pa
| per and found that it contained recall from
| Sir Edward, who desired to see his nephew
| on important business. and that he should
| therefore leave Immediately for England
The effect produced upon Inc by these
| words is indescribabe. Arthur noticing the
result succeeded in reassuring me by faith
fully promising speedy return at the con-
| clusion of his affairs.
THE next day we babe each other most
| affectionate farewell, and although whole
month has elapsed since then not one word
have heard OF or from him. Oh, Fraulein,
can it be that he is i'll or dying, or that he
| is proving faithless to me?"
| The only answer | vOuchsafed her to this
| question was TO draw her little hand through
my arm, and hurry her home for well could
L Imagine what the silence on Arthur Wy
| clffe's part portended.
SO then this confession explained the cause
of Elsa's troubles. Would that could have
helped her in some manner, but alas, l was
| pOwerle3S.
Arthur Wyclffe had come to Dresden,
found that simple and obscure German
| girl had pleased his fancy, and returned
home in obedience to his unce's summons,
which conveyed Immediately to him Out not
to Elsa deeper and more subtle significance
than what these words implied. No doubt
Sir Edward had been informed of the true
condition of things in Dresden, and Arthur,
not relishiDg the thought of disinherltance,
considered 1t best to return at once. He knew
he must school himself TO forget her, he
could never marry her, owing to the great
inequality of their social positions. Why
the mere idea OF it was simply preposterous,
Summer was at its close, autumn was
upon us; the leaves were gradually being
decked in their variegated garbs. OF Elsa
saw very little indeed days and DAYS would
pass without seeing each other; she was
fgnratiyely wrapped up in her music. AT
last one afternoon, just as was ready to be-
take myself to the museum l heard loud
knocks at my door. Hardly waiting for it
to be opened, Elsa bounced into the room,
her eyes ablaze, her cheeks glowing with
excitement; kissing me in most affectionate
manner, she said ''Fraulein Nelson, now
l can tell you my secret, which was so
jealousy guarding from you for the last
few weeks. l have been preparing myself
during that time for an examination which
took place at the Hochsclule; the three
highest. OF which an one. ara to he sent To