The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-12-28
A ROSE FOR A WIFE.

Yet in the end you are sure to become
Frau Won Hilgenan.'
Never, l tell yuu!' cried the young
widow, with excitement. THAT would
be the last straw indeed. Why" she add
ed, "he has not been to see us for an eter-
nifty"
1.-The last time was just week ago, "
responded the older lady dryly.
"A fortnight ago."
II thought it was week. "
''Three weeks, now that come to think
Of it, maintained Frau Won Gerboth.
The whistle of the locomotive announc-
Ing the approach of their destination
brought the discussion to a Close 1t pro-
duced an effect like the blast of an alarm
bugle sounded in the ears of sleeping SOL
diers and announcing the unexpected ap-
pearance of the enemy near their camp.
In a few seconds the two ladies stood
armed to the teeth and ready for the fray,
which, being interpreted means they we've
loaded down with the thousand and one
parcels, bags, satchels. shawls and UNI
brellas and were waiting for the train to
slow up and the door to be opened
The conductor, who at length opened
the door and helped the ladies out, was a
remarkable looking person for such an Of
fee His handsome, strongly marked fea-
lures had distinct military appearance.
His mustache was as fierce as any adjutant
could have desired, and his hands were
cased in faultless kid gloves. His clothes
were also not those of railroad officer,
and his hat was certainly not of the sort
provided by the railway company for their
servants and employees
Yet Fra Won Gerboth, as she stepped
lightly from the car, noticed nothing of
all this, and in her anxiety to get seat in
the hotel omnibus had eyes for nothing
else whatever. Then suddenly the voice
of the polite conductor opened her eyes to
his identity.
"Herr ven Hilgenanl How on earth
did,
Twill you allow me the pleasure of 40
companying you to the hotel2" he said in
low voice that bore witness to old &C.
quaintance, while the other lady hurried
on to get seats in the omnibus.
II suppose there is nothing else for me
to do under the circumstances, she said.
with we'll feigned annoyance, as the ON
nibus rolled away behind the two horses
us it very far?" she added, with pleas
anter smile.
sit will only take us Is minutes to
walk he said, land the path is shady
and COOL"
Then they began the walk side by side
Now tell me" she began, "how in the
name of goodness did you know that I was
coming herey'
''Oh,'' he replied, with sly look in his
eyes, s'there were few Indications that
was not slow to notice. You also let drop
farr nr1yc IN tim with
elderly friend who has gone on in the ON
nibus to the hotel" -
Eyes, but you have not seen me to speak
to for over a week." she commenced,
land you had ne special interest in MOTTO
ing my plans for the future"
lis it only a week since wo last met?''
he replied tenderly withous noticing the
latter part of her sentence.
sit is indeed only week." he went on
answering his own question. Now tell
me why you have come here, he added.
She made no answer, but for some min
utes seemed lost In reflection.
Herr Won Hilgenan, think you ara
really the clsverest man ever KNEW" she
said at length, with hooking smile, but
tell me what you are doing in this lonely,
out of the way corner of the world"
OHt nO dhoWCEO0 C0lOlC6SAy, JCo 1lOt
SO carelessly as he would have wished his
voice to seem, II have come here to collect
wild flowers and''- He stopped suddenly.
"And have come here" she said, pre-
tending she did not see the embarrassment
written on his face, II have come here to
feel happy and enjoy life"
II neutrality-suspicious.
observation-disclosures he said slow
l. .--s4 :aLk to- hi
that he could not control.
Zach, - she replied archly, shave not
my dear old Thekla?''
'Oh, you hypocrite" he thought to
himself. but you shall not escape me SO
easily
THAT is true" he said aloud. ct had
almost forgotten her for the moment.
Nevertheless trust you will from time to
time allow me to join you and form a
triple allianoe9"
''Yes, certainly" she cried. SIT takes
three, you know, to form triple alliance.
Still we can play hide and go seek, and
Thekla can hide
why do you persist in making fun OF
me, gracious lady? Must I again say that
I honor you so-so-that 1 could even
bring the stars down from the sky if you
WISHED IL!
She had g, own little roster, and her
heart was beating quickly, but she had no
intention of heing too easily caught.
You're getting quite eloquent" she
said teasingly, but the stars don't ap-
pear in the daytime, you know"
''Oh, Frau Won Gerboth, can you not
listen to me seriously for a moment event"
he begged, with a shade of annoyance in
his voice
''Taks you seriously? Ach, my dear lieu
tenant" she continued in the same ban
terina tone, "how many thousand brave
men have promised US poor women to
snatch the stars for US from the sky! But
as soon as we take them at their word
they fail us altogether. Don't you know
the story Of the glove that the proud
Knight of Delorges was told to pick up for
his sweetheart, Kunigunde? She got it in
the face, poor, foolish girl!'
''Delorges had no heart" he said. II
would have stood the test very different
ly."
"You would not have gone to get the
glove at all, chi"
you have never demanded such test
of me-"