Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-15


hopes had failed.
Il will endeayor to make your visit
as little irksome to you as possible,
explained the heir of Reitzenberg;
and we can behave as if there were no
enmity between us"
yes" there was still little doubt
in her voice and manner), Il think
that 1 can trust you"
Come" he said gently, Baroness
Irma, is to a truce between US signed
and sealed?'
He took her hand in his, and bending
over it, raised her fingers to his l1ps
The master of the castle was the
first to commence hostilities. One day,
towards the end Of the three months
visit, Irma came into the drawing
room to find the whole party await
ing her arrival, and in an instant she
perceived that something was wrong
Frau Won Wolde has been shedding
tears, the Old Counts brow was cloud
ed with anger, and Albrecht!-Irma
hardly dared to look at him, so chang
ed with his aspect. 1t was too clear
that the termination of the pleasant
cOmpanionship Of the last few weeks
was to be war!
MY dear Baroness Irma," said the
Count, advancing to meet his young
guest with ceremoniOuB pOliteness, Il
am exceedingly pleased to see you.
Your visit here has given me great
satisfaction. You honored this house
with your presence, with the full con-
sent of your guardian and my esteem
ed cousin, Frau Won Wolde. l had hoped,
not without grounds, that the friend
ship between you and my heir was
gradually ripening into deeper and
more lasting feeling. The alliance
is one which must give satisfaction to
all interested in our families. Imag-
inc my distress on hearing to-day from
my nephew that you have refused
this proposal of marriage!"
Irma looked towards Count Albrecht;
something that she read IN his wrath
full mien made her hesitate as she an
sWered; ct is quite true; We are
friends, and nothing more
1T cannot be, young lady, that so
young maiden should have given
away her preference without the con-
sent or knowledge of her guardian?
Answer me candidly; are your affec-
tions already engaged?"
The color surged into Irmas cheeks
and left them pale again. She glanced
at Frau Won Wolde There was no help
for her there. THAT is a question which
you have no right to ask Count Reitz-
enberger, and which [ refuse to an
swer. [ must beg you to excuse mel
THE Baroness Buchow is rfghtr'
burst in Albrecht. She has suffered
enough at our hands already. She shall
not be thwarted in her will. If she
honores me with her friendship, I ac-
cept it gratefully. Listen to me, my un-
Gle. [ refuse to be d party to your
scheme"
He rose and held the door wide open.
There was no smile on his face now;
his eyes were full of trouble as they
rested on hers. He did not offer to take
her hand in farewell He stood there
in mute distress IS size passed by-a
fair, girlish figure in her white dress.
her laces and blue ribbons-and she
passed him without word The truce
between them W2s over.
i i
The forest spread it's wide wings
even as far as the castle garden. Irma
loved the green paths and quiet shades,
r lC,.O r,l,o
morning after her interview with the
Count, and pretended to read. But
though she kept her eyes on the pages,
she read there only Count Albrecht's
parting words-he accepted her offer
of friendship gratefully! Driven to bay,
as it were in order to save her, that
was what he had said. During the last
three months she had come to under
stand something of his unrightness,
his high sense of honor. He would new
er marry a wOman-though she were
a Prince3s-tO whom he could not give
his love.
IT was my fortune" sighed Irma,
that made him nearly hate me at
firstr' Did he hate her now?
Cll6 SlluI up uCI UOOh anu Wdnu0G6u
still farther into the wood down a
hill side covered with fern and moss,
| towards the stream that ran between
high rocks, Gathering and foaming on
| IL, WY. On the flcther side Of the
stream was a tract of open country,
dotted with clumps of trees and under
wood and bright with heather. The
stepping stones were half covered with
water to-day; the current was running
fiercer that its wont. She bethought
herself of rustic bridge a few yards
farther down.
The bridge hung high in the air, sup
ported by rough pine stems; it was
picturesque but a fragile affair. Half
way across Irma put her hand Oh the
rall-how noisy the stream was!-it
snapped off at her touch, one wooden
plank tottersd under her feet, another
fell with a splash into the water She
had plenty of courage; she was light
and active. She knew, moreover, that
she could easily leap that formidable
! looking gap and gain the bank. She
was about to make the attempt when
she was stopped by peremptory
shout:
Gently, gently! Jump from that pro-
| jecting stem; it is sate!"
She looked up; on the edge of the
! heather-cOvered rock uncertain, half