Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-06-15
4 MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM.
BY MAX NoRDAU.
AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION BY MARY j. Stafford.

low, WIN uelISulIul play OIL tcIpleF
lights and soft, almost imperceptible
shadows over their bright surfaces.
But the most remarkable characteristics
of this head were the large blue eyes,
deep as the sea, beneath long lashes and
nobly-formed brows, and the luxur;ant,
almost golden-red hair, whose silken
wreath of naturally waving locks rested
above the brow in the bands, like the
cleaning wings Of some bright-nued
tropical bird, while the light Of The
candles, shining on the braids. struck
out strange, satiny metallic reflections,
and powdery, glimmering sparkle. as
though the hair was busted with gold or
ruby powder. Her sole ornaments were
diamond star in the hair and IN an
tique gold circlet on one of her bare
arms The white dress looked simple.
yet very elegant The eye of the most
critical woman could find no fault in the
harmony of the toilette, the coolest man
could not avert his gaze from the head
which constantly called forth the two
comparisons to a Greek cameo, or a
NIKE, comparisons which the beautiful
woman was compelled to hear so often
that they seemed unbearably common
place.
The young lieutentant-a count-who
sat at her left hand, was probably Whis-
pering something of the sort into her
little ear for her face assumed repel-
lently cold, bored expression, and her
eyes were fixed dreamily OH vacancy,
many times farther away than the earth
from the sun, from her gallant neighbor,
the table and the hall. But Bergman
gaze must have followed her all this
distance, for it suddenly met hers, and
the tall, grave fellow flushed rndar her
pensive glance. The hostess looked at
him just at this moment, and saw the
blood mount into his cheeks.
''What is the matter?" she could not
refrain from whispering.
He blushed Il second time, even more
deeply.
Lu. Frau Won Jagerfeld had followed
his eye, and now said. smiling: "Ah,
your opposite neighbOr."
''Who is the ladyY' Bergman asked,
with some little embarrassment.
Doctor" replied Frau Won Jagerfeld,
this time smiling, take care. Many
wings have already been scorched by
her
Don't fear, madame. l can endure
flames somewhat better than moth.
'Come, come, suspicious reflection of
fire is already discovered on your
| cheeks
! a shadow of annoyance fitted across
Bergmann's face His hostess laid her
hand quickly on his arm. saying:
Don't be vexed by a little jest, my
dear friend. l will tell you who the
American, and her name is Mrs. Ada
Burgess. Young and charming, as you
see, the poor woman is unhappy. Her
father is the owner of a gold mine some
where in America, and was reputed a
very wealthy man; at least he lived
in extremely handsome style in st.
Louis, and his daughter. who was con-
sidered the handsomest girl in the
! West from the time of her entrance
into society was the reignlng Delle Of
every ball and entertainment. Mr.. Bur-
CESS, who seems to have been hand
some and elegant man, was her most
devoted sutton and appeared to be mad
| ly in love with her. Ada did not remain
insensible to the persistent homage,
and Burgess bore away the victory over
numerous rivals. But it now appears
that he has a base soul and his main
object was the dowry. There, however.
he was disappointed. Gold mines, evi-
IDENTIFY, are not always productive, at
least Ada's father was ruined by his,
and Ada did not receive a penny Then
the comedy of love played by Burgess
ended. At first he treated her indiffer
entity, then harshly, and soon matters
became so bad that she was obliged to
seek refuge from her husbands abuse
in her parents house. Her nerves had
been so shaken by the horrible scenes
which she experienced, that your Amer
lean colleagues recommended a long
residence in Europe for the restoration
| of her health. She came here, and for
several months has lived in Frankfort,
where the best society struggles for her.
You can imagine that young and beau
tiful woman entirely alone, whose hus-
! band is invisible, does not remain unaS-
sailed Besides, there is the American
| independence and confidence of manner
| which is often mistaken for emancipa-
ton, and by which man easily feels en-
couraged-in that, serious attention
has been paid to her, and she has
seemed to accept it. Then suddenly
there came a repulse and a rupture,
which has already resulted in injury to
several somewhat delicately strung mas
culine hearts. Moreover she is very I'M
even in her manner. Often gay, even
reckless, devising pranks like a spoiled
boy, then suddenly reserved. distant and
stern. True, she is always intellectual,
so that | know many man who is un-
comfortable in her society, to say moth
| ing of women"
Frau Won Jagerfeld had spoken eagerly
in a low tone, with frequent Interrupt
! lions when courtesy compelled her to
! listen to the numerous tOaSts which were
chiefly proposed to her and the master OF
the house. Mrs. Burgess could not long
| fail to notice that the two persons Oppo-
site were talking about her, and she
smilingly shook her finger across the ia
BILE at her friend.
''Poor woman murmured Bergman,
$50 bitter an experience at the threshold
of life. But why does she endure her
fate? It is so easy to be set free in
America"
l don't know. Perhaps on account of
her children"
'Ah-she has children?'
''Two; and it is strange and touching
to see how she rears them. Often she
treats them like dolls. and amuses her
self for hours by dressing and undressing
them, dragging them around the room,
and then suddenly dropping them in
some sofa corner, head down and feet
up. Then again, she talks gravely and
tenderly to the little creatures, and tries
to instill good principles 1t is too comic
al. But she is delightful creature, oh,
delightful creature -"
| The banquet was over, honor was done
to the last toast from trimming cham
payne glasses, and the guests went to the
drawing room. Several minutes elapsed
before the gentlemen had escorted the
ladies to their chairs, and the arrange