The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-04-02
IRMA'S BETROTHAL.

Redeemed with yeNation. Yet there WAS
nothing in Albrecht Won Reitzenberg's
appearance to annoy her; on tie CON
trary, he was young, very good-looking,
tall and of dignified bearing.
viii you allow me to come in?" 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. Il have
proposal to make To you, Baroness
Irma- Will you give me your alter
tion for a little while?"
She looked at him Indignantly. She
had a sweet, oval face and deep gray
eyes.
Il prefer not to listen to you, Count
Albrecht."
Il thought that you would say sO,"
ithere 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, distrust, n
her eyes.
Yes" continued the young officer, 81
know that you have every reason to be
offended. You have been most unfairly
treated"
Il have been invited to this house
under false pretenses. l came here be
cause / thought that the visit would
give pleasure to Frau Won Woide. who
fills. or is supposed to fill. the place of
my mother. | am sorry to speak disre-
spectfully of your cousin. but"
Not at all You are perfectly right.
and my relative. Frau Won Wolde. is liz
l.. Il. l..
ming. know all about it now. Nv old
uncle has just enlightened me /, as the
heir of Reitzenberg castle-you will eN-
cuse my mentioning my name first
have received orders to offer my hand
and my debts in marriage TO Baroness
Irma 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-
tionof giving her hint as To how mat
tiers stand after she had become the
guest of the castle. Is this so?'
Yes" She stood by his side now. and
the sunlight just touched the coils of
her auburn hair. Il have been deceived;
cruelty deceived"
Under the circumSta nces. nothing
remains for me but to give YOU the op-
portunity of expressing your opinion
as to this tyrannous family compact
even more decidedly than YOU have done
already. Baroness Irma of Buchoyv. will
viii you consent to give me your hand
in MARRIAGE"
Count Albrecht of Reitzenberg. I
thank you for the honor which you have
shown me. 1 Will not"
They stood facing each other. and as
Trina looked at her strange wooer she
saw a faint smile in his eyes. Her own
anger was beginning to evapOrate: he
Ically was behaving well, considering
that the Reitzenbergs were renowned
for their hasty tempcrs.
You admit" she said. after pause.
that | have been awkwardly placed"
Il admit that you have been inhos-
pitably. abominably treated ! blush
to think that a member of our family
could have dreamed of such a scheme.
In order to show vCu how penitent l ann.
EOw that L have received my dismissal,
will Immediately leave this house and
: III ' ou VI MY presence
IF you do that. Count Albrecht. |
shall be worse off than ever. You don't
know your cousin. Frau Won Wolde. She
will insist upon my remaining here for
three months, as was arranged, she will
reproach me for your absence, she will
argue and make me dislike you more
than ever, if
IF possible?"
His good humor was irresistible; she
hurst into 4 merry laugh.
For another half hour the rejected
suitor remained in conversation with
the heiress, and at the end of that time
they, too, had made plot. Albrecht
Was to remain at the castle. he and the
Baroness lrma were to pretend to be
on amicable terms. and the two con
Spirators (the count and the chaperonel
were not to learn until the last day of
the visit expired that their hopes had
failed.
Il will endeavor to make your visit as
little irksome to you as possible" eN-
planned the heir of Reitzenberg; and
we can behave as if there were no en-
nifty between us.
Yes (and there was still a little
uOuDI III DtT voice anu L
think l can trust YOU
Come" he said, gently, ''BaroneSs
Irma, is il a truce between us signed and
sealed ,"
He took her hand in his, and, bending
over it, raised her fingers To his lips.
The master of the castle was the first
to begin hosti!ities. One day, toward
the end of the three months visit, Irma
came into the drawing room to find the
whole party awaiting her arrival. and in
an instant she perceived that something
was wrong. Frau Won Wolde had been
shedding tears, the old counts brow
was clouded with anger. and Albrecht-
Irma hardly dared look at him, so
changed was his aspect 1t was too
clear that the termination of the pleas
ant companionship of the last few
weeks was to be war.
My dear Baroness Irma," said the
count, advancing to meet his young
guest with ceremonious politeness, Il
exceedingly pleased to see you. Your
visit here has given me great satisfac-
ton You honored this house with
your presence. with the full consent
of your guardian and my esteemed
cousin, Frau Won Wolde. | had hoped
not without grounds, that the friend
ship between you and my heir was
gradually ripeniny into a deeper and
more lasting feeling. The alliance is
one which must give satisfaction to all
interested in our families. Imagine nv
distress on hearing to-day from my
nephew that you have refused his pro-
nnSal nf marFiana