The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1897-04-30
RMA'S BETROTHAL.


hit of hussar officer in uniform she
feAfeGed with veXation. Yet there was
nothing in Albrecht Won Reitzenberg's
appearance to annoy her; on the con-
trary, he was young, very good-looking,
tall and of dignified bearing.
will you allow me to come imp" he
asked, standing on the threshold.
The girl took up her work again.
-You can come in if you WISH" she said,
indifferently.
He walked across the room. 81 have
proposal TO make to you, Baroness
Irma- VIII you give me your atten-
ton for little while?"
She looked at him Indignantly. She
had sweet, oval face and deep gray
eyes.
II prefer not to listen to you, Count
Albrecht."
81 thought that you would say sol"
There was something like ring of
triumph in his voice. but indeed my
proposal is very harmless. Let us come
to an understanding"
There was uncertainty, distrnst, in
her eyes.
YES" continued the young officer, 81
know that you have every reason to be
offended. You have been most unfairly
treated"
81 have been invited to this house
under false pretenses. I came here be-
cause | thought that the visit would
give pleasure to Frau Won Wolde, who
fills, or is supposed to fill, the place of
my mother. am sorry to speak disre-
spectfully of your cousin, but"
mot at all. You are perfectly right.
and my relative, Frau Won Wolde, is iii
the plot and has been from the begin
ring. know all about it now. My old
uncle has just enlightened me. 7, as the
heir of Reitzenberg castle-you Will eX-
cuse my mentioning my name first
have received orders to offer my hand
and my debts in marriage to Baroness
Trma Won Buchow, who, on attaining
her majority, will become possessed of
so large fortune that she could free
the Reitzenberg estate with a stroke
OF her pen. Now, hear me out; this
lady was to have been kept in ignorance
of the plan, but that her friend and
chaperon could not resist the tempta-
ton Of giving her hint as to how mat
sers stand after she had become the
guest of the castle Is this SOP"
ayes" She stood by his side now, and
the sunlight just touched the coils Of
her auburn hair. "Ihave been deceived;
cruelty deceived"
"Under the circumstances, nothing
remains for me but 80 give you the op-
1ortunity of expressing your opinion
as to this tyrannous family compact
oven more decidedly than you have done
already. Baroness Irma of Buchow, will
will you consent to give me your hand
IN mnrringe?T
Count Albrecht of Retzenberg, I
thank you for the honor which you have
shown me. will not"
They stood facing each other, and as
Trina looked at her strange wooer she
saw faint smile in his eyes. Her own
anger was beginning to cvaporate; he
1cally was behaving well, considerln"
for their hasty tempers.
You admit" she said, after pause
THAT I have been awllwardly placed
81 admit that you have been inhos
pitably, abominably treated! blush
10 think that a member of our family
could have dreamed of such q scheme
In order to show you how penitent an
now that I have received my dismissal
will Immediately leave this house ana
rid you of my presence"
4If YOU do that. Count Albrecht- !
shall be worse off than ever. You don
know your cousin, Frau Won Wolde. She
will insist upon my remaining here foi
three months, as was arranged, she VII.
me for your absence, she Will
argue and make me dislike you more
Than ever, if"
eff possible?7
His poosl hnmor was irresistible; she
hurst into 4 merry laugh.
For another half hour the rejected
sutton remained in conversation WIN
the beiress. and at the end of that tine
they, too, had made plot. Albrech'
was to remain at the castle, he and the
baroness Irma were TO pretend TO De
on amicable terms, and the two con
spirators 1.-THE count and the chnperonel
were not to learn until the last day OF
the visit expired that their hopes had
failed.
81 will endeavor to make your visit as
little irksome to you as possible" eX-
planned the heir of Reitzenberg; "and
we can behave as if there were no en-
nifty between u.s."
ayes" land there was still little
doubt in her voice and manner). Il
think 1 can trust you"
Come" he said, gently, Baroness
Irma, is it a truce between us signed and
sealed?"
He took her hand in his, and, bending
over it, raised her fingers to his lips.