The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-15

Hma looked toward Count AlDreohk
Something that shc read In his wrathfni
imisn made her hesitate as she answered:
1T " quite true wesre friends and moth
Ing more" lla-t
ut cannot be, my dear young lady, That
90 young madden should have given away
her preference without the consent or
knowledge of her GUARDIAN Answer me
candidfy, Are your affections already en-
gagedf"
The color surged into Irma's cheeks and
left them pale agnin. She glanced at Frau
Won Wolde. There was no help for her
there. "That Is question which you have
no right to ask, Count Reitzenberger, and
which i refuse to answer. must beg you
to excuse me-" ,..
"The Baroness Buchow IL right" burst
in Albrecht. She has suffered enough at
our hands already. She shall not be
thwarted in her will. If she honors me
with her friendship, accept IL gratefully.
Listen to me, my uncle. ! refuse to be q
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 dis
tress as she passed by-a fair, girlish figure
in her white dress, her laces and blue rib
bons--and she passed him without word.
The truce between them was over.
The forest spread Its wide wings even as
far as the castle garden. Irma loved the
green paths and quiet shades, and here
she came with her book the morning after
her interview with the count and pretend
ed to read. But, though she kept her eyes
on the pages, she read there only Count
Albreoht's parting words-he accepted her
offer of friendship gratefully! Driven to
bay, as 1t were, in order to save her, that
was what he had said During the last
three months she had come to understand
something of his uprigIitness, his high
sense of honor. He would never marry
woman-though she were q princess-to
whom he could not give his love.
"It was my fortune, sighed Irma,
"that made him nearly hate me at firsti'
Did he hate her nowp
She shut up her book and wandered
still farther into the wood, down hillside
covered with fern and moss toward the
stream that ran between high rocks, chat
tering and foaming on its way. On the
farther side of the stream was a tract of
open country, dotted with clumps Of trees
and underwood and bright with heather.
The stopping stones were half covered with
water today. Tho current was running
ferccr than It's won't. She bethought her
self of rustic bridge few yards farther
down.
The bridge hung high in the air, sup
ported by rough pine stems 1t was a
picturesque but fragile affair. Half way
across Irma put her hand on the rail. How
noisy the stream was! The rail snapped
off at her touch, one plank tottered I'M
der her feet, another fell with 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 tho attempt when
che was stopped by d peremptory shout:
"Gently! Gently! Jump from that pro-
jecting stem. 1t is safe!'
Sue looked up On the edge of the
heather covered rock stood Albrecht Reit-
zenberg
She paused, uncertain, half inclined to
retrace her steps, Perceiving her hesita-
ton, he raised his voice and shouted still
louder above the clamor of the rushing
water:
"Can you hear me, Baroness Irma2"
She nodded assent.
"Step thereto the left. Do not look
baek!'
Involuntarily she obeyed. He held out
his arms. The gulf yawned between
them. He could be of no help.
1.-THE stern will bear your weight. Do
not be in too great hurry"
"Why does he look so grave?' thought
Irma. SIS he still angryP'
II had better return the way I came,
Count Albreoht. Do not trouble on my
account"
"No. Do as I direct you. You see
which Is the best place to stand? Drop
your bouk-it might be in your way-and
jump as far as you can. Nowl'
Ono spring and Irma was safe on tho
moss and heather while the plank on which
she had thought to stand slipped slowly
but surely into the foaming water. AL
breoht held her hands clasped In his.
"Thank heaven that you are safe!" he
cried ooh, Irma, my lima, could not
stop you. came just too late for that. 1
could only look on in agony. Are you
frightened? Are you hurtP"
II am not hurt. l did not know that it
was dangerous, did not, indeed"
She saw him turn pale at the thought of
her peril, and the tears which she had not
shed for herself fell fast for his distress.
"The bridge should have been destroyed
long ago. 1t shall be done today. did
not dare to Join you, or to speak till you
had passed the worst If you mad been
killed-ah cannot bear to think of i'll
should never have known another days
happiness, and it would have been my
fault-mine How could l let you wan
der about alone when was Ion ing to be
with your My Irma, my best Beloved
Thank heaven that have you safe at last.
Surely we have played at being friends and
enemies long enoughP Look at me and say
that you love mep'
When he had made her an offer of mar
rage three long months ago, she had been
ready, aye, very ready, with her refusal.
Now, when her whole heart was his, she
could find no words amid her tears except:
~ love you! l love you'll"
1t was enough for him. "My bride! My |
wife" ho said, and held her in his arms.
The green ferns rustled and whispered,
the beeches tossed their boughs in the sun
light, the red squirrels played in tho oak
trees, the whole wood was full of life and
joy at that moment when the lovers plight
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