The record-union., 1893-08-26
AMELIA.
Written for the REcoRD-UNIoN by Be
seIena


into the city and cry forth the merits OF
their respective hotels with noisy vocif-
Grafton. He walked up the street with
no clear idea in his head Of Just where he
was going. The part Of the town where
he had landed did not strike him with
particular favor, and he had Just about
made up his mind to ask the first passer-
by he met to direct him to good hotel.
He was on the point Of putting this res
olution into effect when his eye was sud-
denly attracted to house on the opposite
side OF the street. Now the house in
question was nothing more nor less than
an ordinary wooden structure, whose
windows were ornamented with calico
curtains. At one OF the windows young
girl was industriously scrubbing the
glass, making artistic curves and -four
lShes with the wet cloth, bending and
swaying her supple arm with the motion
ana occasionally lifting her fair arms
high above her head.
There Is nothing romantic in the sight
OF Il girl washing windows, but the Baron
was susceptible to female charms, and
the fair maid at the window was unde-
haOIy pretty-nay more, she was hand
some.
The Baron has two very essential quail
ltleS-he has both time and money at his
disposal, and this is Il most unlocked for
adventure. lie starts across the street:
nail way over he pauSeS and again con-
sluers within himself. What is the rash
deed he is about to do? He is Il solid rep
resentatiVe OF one of the oldest families
IN the iatherland, and with "a title that
many blue-eyed and taXen-haired
frauieln would be proud to bear.
m hnp flfaI l. 4 A.t
window. The girl was standing on a
stool now, her arms, cleaning pure and
white, high above her head welding the
clumsy WaShrag in strong, white hands,
with even certain amount of unculti-
waited grace.
The last picture sealed the Baron's fate
But how to enter the house? lie had not
thought of that contingency before.
From the window his ewes roved to the
front door, and then his heart gave a sud-
den leap. For there, printed III his own
naive tongue, was sign which an
nounced that rse house in question was Il
German boarding and lodging house
The Baron no longer hesitated, but
rushed boldly across the street, opened
the front door and entered.
lie found himself i'll long, low room
dimly lighted, tor all the windows, with
the exception of the one which the girl
was washing, were carefully covered With
cheap print curtains shutting out the
daylight and giving the room dim twi-
ugnt appearance, rather trying to the
eyes after the hard glare of the MONDAY
sun.
The room was half-bar half-office.
Behind the counter, seated on Il high
stool, with his feet on a keg OF beer, doZed
fat, round, red-faced man III his shirt
sleeves.
No one paid any attention to the Ba-
ron's entrance. The girl continued her
washing OF the window, and the man
still dozed. The Baron waited. He stood
hear the counter where the red-faced
man would be sure to see him when he
awoke, and he watched the face OF his un-
known divinity.
1t was pretty face and youthful face.
The Baron amused himself picturiup
how that face would look arranged n a
pretty gown. Judging from the girls
arms ana fine, white skin, her neck must
also be White and plump, and how far it
would look when enclrcled with a circle t
OF cleaning and glittering pearls. But
even after awhile the Baron grew tired
OF dreaming, and lie raped impatiently
on the counter The sleepy man gave a
drowsy grunt. The girl went on wash =
ing. The Baron gave a louder and d
longer rap which proved eIlectual. The
TAT man sat up, opened one eye at time.
gave a tremendous yaWn, stretched him
self until it looket as though he would
burst with the effort. and then his eyes
fell upon the Baron. Gradually q look
OF surprise overspread his tat and brill
liant countenance, Men of the Baron's
appearance aid not put up at the humble
little boarding-house.
81 want rOom," said the Baron, i'm
patiently, in his native tongue.
The man behind the counter was not
either thoroughly awake, or else he was
stupid. The only reply he vouchsafed to
the Bsron's very simple request was an
other grunt.
"Do you not have rooms to let? Does
not your sign outside say so?''
Unanswered, the Baron was WONDERING
II he wasn't acting i'll very foolish man
ner coming 10 this ordinary house and at
to associate with these common
people. W hat would his friends back
home think of him? The Baron was
used to the thoughts of his friends. He
knew they, one ana all, considered him
a sort OF mild and harmless lunatic.
The fat man tumbled behind the coun-
ter and finally produced key from some
where.
Amelia" he called in thick and furry
voice. The girl at the window turned
and came toward him, pulling down her
sleeves as she did so.
Amelia, show this gentleman to No.
H."
The girl took the key and silently led
the way out Of the room down a PASSAGE
up pair of steep and narrow stairs. and
finally halted before a door at the top of
the stairs. She stopped, fitted the kew in
the lock. 1t turned with a dismal creak
and the door opened.
The Baron saw the room was small and
poorly furnished, but it was scrupulouslv
clean. Things were not so bad after ali.
the Baron to himself He
he could spend few davs here
very comfortably. Then he looked at
Amelia. She was standing near the door,
and as the Baron looked at her she
dropped her eyes and blushed. The
baron thought she was moro beautiful
than ever, and hoped to hear her speak.
AS if in anticipation of his wish the girl
without raising her eyes, asked, bash
fully, IT she could do anything more for
''Mein HERR" The Baron was enchanted
her voice was like liquid music and
sweet. He would lain have her stav
with him, but knowing that to be impos-
sible, requested to have her let him
know when the luncheon hour came, and
also to bring him some writing materials.
lie would write home at once and tell
them of the beautiful city he had found
growing in the midst OF the wild and
lovely West.
The girl vanished and soon reappeared,
bearing tray containing the necessary
articles.
''W hat is your name, my pretty one,"
asked the Baron as the girl arranged the
small table near the window for his con-
venience.
amelia, sir" she answersed, drop
ping curtesy.
"Ah! Amelia. A very pretty name and
a very pretty girlr'
Amelia looked frightened. She wasn't
used to being complimeuted. evidently.
amelia what?" asked the Baron.
He was going to find out all about the