The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-14

NctlheT OF he occupants OJ TIC Dout oD-
serued her.
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' 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 hers.
81 am almost sorry the young scamp
is going today" he remarked between
his teeth, $50 that shall not have the
satisfaction Of turning him out Of
DOORS * -
Five minutes later the dressing gown
had been exchanged for a morning coat,
the more pressing defects Of toilet rem
edied, and the baron, still with a half
shaved chin and with look of i'll sup
pressed fury making him alarming to
behold, hobbled out once more into the
passage. N
Scarcely two PAGES from his door he
barely saved himself from running
against Conrad Kestler, who seemed in
as great hurry as himself.
''The very man wantp' he burst
out, glaring at his guest "Will you
please step in here. Count Kestler? l
have q word to say to your'
"Now, then," he began when Con-
rad followed him into the room, II
know that you are leaving my house to-
day--fortunately, cannot help adding
but nevertheless consider IL my duty
as father to demand an explanation Of
your conduct. 1t is bad enough to fiirt
barefacedly with grown women, but let
me tell you that man who takes pleas
ure in turning the heads of children in
short frocks should keep clear of respect
able houses. Have you anything to say
in exouse?" 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 l
was on my way to propose for your
daughters hand"
The baron's jaw dropped.
my daughter? he stammered after
moment Of stupefaction. "Her hand?
] don't understand. Do you mean Anna
or Helene? You cannot have them both,
you know" he added grimly.
Thanks; don't want either. It is
your youngest daughter whom hope
to make my wife.
"But my youngest daughter is Els
bethr'
And It is Elsbeth whom I want to
marry"
This time the baron required n longer
pause. Without taking his eyes from
Conrad's face, he put out his hand and
felt his way backward to tho armchair,
where he sat staring for full minute.
"Young man, is this a joker" he
sternly inquired at last, and being told
that it was the most unimpeachable
earnest he added, "but Elsbeth is in the
schoolroom; she is in short skirts
she"-
"Will be IS on her next birthday"
completed Conrad Baron Dornenburg
went through rapid mental calcula-
tion.
"Bless my hearti So she will"
"And do you know of any valid rea-
son why woman of 1s should not
either wear long skirts or marry a man
Of 2s7''
well, no. ! suppose not, said the
baron, still in tone of helpless bewil-
derment
And in consideration Of my being
the son Of your old friend, do you not
think''-
IL think Of nothing at all Just
now. 1 know nothing. The matter must
be considered I must talk to Miss Will
kins"
Miss wilkins was talked 10. with the
result that Anna and Helene while
standing at the drawing room window
after breakfast wsEe grostly suypyissd