The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-22

practice her theory of early rising, stepped
out from a side path on to the shore of the
lake.
Neither of the occupants of the boat
observed her, but for full minute the
English woman, who was not short-sighted,
stood rooted to the spot; then she rubbed
her eyes and looked again, and finally she
turned decisively on her heel, like person
who has come to resolution, and hurried
back towards the house.
Though Miss Wilkins was both an
English woman and governess, she was
not prude, but the scene she had just
witnessed had played the part Of that well
known last straw to which the camels
back is so apt to succumb. So long as she
had seen in Conrad prospective husband
for one of her marriageahle charges, she
had had eyes for none but his good
qualities; but now that he had proved a
failure from the matrimonial point Of view,
she had suddenly become alive to his de-
fects. 1t SO happened that during the
early part of her promenade, thoughts Of
bitter disappointment had already been
busying her with the departing guest, and
then had come that vision on the lake.
Evidently the Baron was quite right.
Thus she told herself as she hastened to-
wards the house. A man who indulges in
such objectless pastimes as this could be no
more than heartless libertine.
The Baron was in his dressing gown
when he was told that Miss Wilkins
wished to speak to him Immediately. 1t
was with hairbrush in one hand and a
razor in the other that he came forth to
grant the interview. He listened in
silence TO the governess's tale, but she
knew by the look that came over his only
partially shaved face that this was the
limit of his patience more decisively even
than of hers.
81 am almost sorry the young scamp is
going today" he remarked between his
teeth, $50 that shall not have the salts
faction of turning him out of doors"
Five minutes later the dressing gown
had been exchanged for morning coat,
the more pressing defects oftoilet remedied,
and the Baron, still with half-shaved
chin and with a look Of Unsurpassed fury
making him alarming to behold, hobbled
out once more into the passage.
Scarcely two PAGES from his door he
barely saved himself from RAINING against
Conrad Kestler, who seemed in as great a
hurry as himself.
"The very man l want!' he burst out,
Iglaring at his guest evil you please
step in here, Count Kestler? have a
word to say to you"
"Now, then,' he began, when Conrad
had followed him into the room, II know
that you are leaving my house tclay-
fortunately, cannot help adding but
nevertheless consider it my duty as a
father to demand an explanation of your
conduct. 1t is bad enough to firt bare
facedly with grown up women, but let me
tell you that a man who takes pleasure in
turning the heads of children in short
frocks should keep clear of respectable
houses"
He paused, almost snorting with indigna-
ton, but no answer came. The young
man stood looking past him at the window,
with light on his face which the Baron
did not remember having seen there be-
fore, and apparently not listening.
"Have you anything to say in excuse?'
asked the old gentleman in more subdued
tone, struck, in spite Of himself, by the
Others look.
"I have only this to say, that when you
met me in the passage just now, was on
my way to propose for your daughters
hand.
The Baron's jaw dropped.
"My daughter?' he stammered after a
moment of stupefaction. "Her hand2 |
don't understand. Do you mean Anna or
Helene? You cannot have them both,
you know" he added grimly.
''Thanks; I don't want either. 1t is
your youngest daughter whom | hope to
make my wife"
"Rut my youngest daughter is Elsbeth," "
"And it is EIsbeth whom | want to
marry"
This time the Baron required longer
pause. Without taking his eyes from Con-
RAIDS face he put out his hand and felt his
way backwards to the armchair, where he
sat staring for full minute,
'sYoung man, is this a joke p he sternly
inquired at last, and being told that it was
the most unimpeachable earnest, he added ::
'sBut Elsbetb is in the school room; she is
in short skirts; She"
aWill be eighteen on her next birth
day, completed Conrad.
Baron Dornenburg went through a
rapid mental calculation.
eRless my heart So she will"
"And do you know of any valid reason
why a woman of eighteen should not
either wear long skirts or marry man Of
twenty eight ?"
9Well, no, l suppose moi" said the
Baron, still in tone of helpless bewilder-
ment.
"And in consideration Of my being the
son of your old friend, do you not
think-"