The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-23

sent me one! Are you sure you emp
tied the mail bag thoroughlyg"
"Yes, think so. But you had better
look yourself; it would not be the first
time that letter has remained in one
of the corners"
"Ah! / thought So exclaimed Kath-
arina, pulling crumpled letter out of
deep corner of the bag.
She glanced quickly and sharply at
the address, and then with an eXclama-
ton of vexation let the letter hurriedly
drop.
"Not from Baron Horn after alp"
asked her father, picking it up, "and
yet-that is his writing. Heavens! why
it's for you, Lii; it's addressed to you. "
"Oh impossible!" said Lii quietly,
while faint blush rose to her pretty
cheeks. "It must be a mistake"
"By no means, returned her father,
smiling. Here, open it. Let us all
see it. Oh, what lovely card! Why,
Katharine, where are you goingp"
But the father received no answer.
Katharine hurriedly gathered up her
letters and left the room in a whirl-
wind
The aforementioned Baron Horn
was young nobleman who had just
returned from Africa. 1t was well
known that he took great pleasure in
visiting the Won Krohn family, and un-
der all manner of pretexts took every
opportunity to be with them. Of course
everyone thought that the attraction
was the rich and beautiful Katharine,
and she herself took particular pains to
spread this view of the matter.
Accustomed as she was to large
number of enthusiastic admirers, she
had never for moment imagined that
the baron could interest himself in her
quiet little sister, until she was reminded
to-day in rather unpleasant manner
of the possibility of such thing.
She read her letters through and be-
came better humored.
"How stupid of me to get so cross,
she said, as she smiled at her lovely
face in the glass. 1T is not possible
that he favors Lii when he knows me. u
door, and the servant girl came in and
announced that the carriage was at the
door.
Katharine at once remembered that
Baron Horn had promised to go for a
drive with her, and with this thought
her face grew bright once again.
The baron was as punctual as most
lovers, that is to say, he came half an
hour before the appointed time, and
found Katharine quite ready, to his
great astonishment, for as a rule she
Kept every ybody waiting half an hour al
least.
Her purpose of frustrating a tete-a-
tete between Lii and the baron was
completely successful, for she did not
move from his side until all three were
ready to get into the carriage.
The father stood with beaming face
on the doorstep and waved fond fare
we'll after them.
''This Horn is a very sensible fellow,
he thought to himself, "and 1 admire
his choice. 1t will be very hard to LOSE
Lii, but [ would let him have hel
rather than anyone else"
Although the bazaar was crowded, the
arrival of Baron Horn and his two
lovely companions caused considerable
excitement, and they were speedily
surrounded by acquaintance.
Among them was a Capt. Linke, ;
tall blonde fellow, and one of Katha
rina's most sincere and faithful admir-
ers.
"How glad am to see you here" HI
said.
"Reallyp Whyp"
''May show you why? Please come
with me. At the other end of the hal
there is fortune-teller and want yol
to see what she will tell YOU"
MAY we join you?" asked the baron
Certainly. Come, we will all go to
gether."
The mysterious room that held tn
fortune-teller was reached. The for
tune-teller proved to be a little figur
in the middle of disk.
Round the disk were figures and mum
bers and slips of paper arranged. Any
one who wanted to see into the futur
paid mark, set the figure reyolvin,
and took the slip of paper opposit
which it stopped.
"Now, my gnadiges fraulein," sal
the captain, taking out his purse, won
you try your luck?"
But Katharine refused positively t
be party to such nonsense, and mas
much as Lii could not be persuade
either, the baron asked permission
inquire of the oracle himself.
He set the figure in motion and too
the slip of paper opposite which
stopped.
Seek her hand and buy the ring
Thy life will then be full of joy" ra
the words on it.
The baron tried to catch glanC
from Lii, but she appeared to be al
sorbed in the nature and character c
the floor, and would not false her eyes
"Potz Blitz!" cried the captain, turn
ing to Katharine, "that is famous; yo
really must be persuaded to try it now
Or, shall l do it for you?"
you may do it for me-" she replied
in such sharp tones that everyone locke
at her.
The captain turned the figure an
read the words: Hast thou not ofte
heard it said" He hesitated; the
tore up the paper and threw it on tn
floor. The conclusion of the sentenc
seemed to suit the many proposals ths
Katharine had received too well for hiI
, to read it.
what was the rest, captain?" aske
the baron in all innocence. But th
captain looked so displeased that tE
, question was not pressed.
, Il wonder what it WASP" Lii viii
pered to the baron.
"We shall learn later perhaps, he T.
piled. But did you get my Ne
, Years card this morning?"
, "Yes," she answered softly, with
, blush.
T "And do you remember what the TO
! tune teller told me just now? If l bu
> ring will you wear it?"
He drew deep sigh of relief as
+ saw his answer in her happy, blushin
face.
y She lowered her eyes and said:
. don't know. You must first speak
= papa. ."-FrOm the German.