The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-04-10
Ing over it, raised her fingers to bis

hardly dared to look at him, so change
was his aspect. 1t was too clear thu
the termination of the pleasant con-
partnership Of the last few weeks wa
to be war.
my dear Baroness Irma." said tn
count, advancing to meet his youn,
guest with ceremonious politeness, g
nm exceedingly pleased to see YOU
Your visit here has given me erea
satisfaction. You honored this hous,
With your presence, with the full con
sent OF your guardian and my esteemed
cousin, Frau Won Wolde. I had hoped
not without grounds, that the friend
ship between you and my heir was
gradually ripening into deeper and
moro lasting feeling. The alliance is
one which must give satisfaction to all
interested in our families. Imagine
our distress on hearing to-day from my
nephew that you have refused his pro-
posul of marriage"
l1ma looked toward Count ALBRIGHT :;
something that she read in his wrath.
tul mlen made her hesitate as she an.
swered: ut is quite true; we are
friends, and nothing more"
ut cannot be, my dear young lady,
that so young @ maiden should have
given away her preference without
the consent OF knowledge of her
guardian? Answer me candid!y; axe
your affections already engaged?"
The color surged into Irma's checks
and left them again. She glanced at
Frau Won Wolde. There was no help
for her there. "lhis is a question
which you have no right to ask, Count
heltzenberS, and which I refuse to
answer. 1 Must bog you to excuse
me-"
"The Baroness Buchow is risht!"
burst in Albrecht. ''She has suffered
enough at our hands already. She
Shall not be thTartel in her will. II
she honors me with her friendship, I |
accept it gratefully. Listen to me.
my uncle, | refuse to be a party to
your scheme"
Lie 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 rs she
passed by-a fair, glrlish figure, in
her white dress, her laces and blue
:lEbons-and she passed him without
word. The truce between them was |
over. !
$ 1
The forest spread its wide wings !
wen as far as the castle garden. Irma {
owed tho green paths and quiet y
hades, and here sue came with her S
'ook the morning after her interview
WITH the count, and pretended to |
cad. But though she kept her eyes c
n tho pages, eho read there only
'ount Albrecht's parting words-he S
ccepted her offer Of friendship CRATE Il
ally. Driven to bay, as it were, in v
rder to save her, that was what be s
I'D said. During the last three "
lonths she had como to understand b
'meth;ng Of his uprightness, his ST
IGN sense OF honor. He would n
ever marry woman-though she
ere a princcss-to whom he could b
Of giye.his love. is
=, ut was my fortune" sighed Ina, NJ
that made him nearly hate me at ia
st." Did he hate her now? Ii
she shut up her book and wandered r,
III further into the wood, down a IL
llside covered with fern and moss. "
ward the stream that ran between
gh rocks, chatter,rg and foaming on NJ
way. On the further side of the So
ream was tract of open country, be
tied with clumps OF trees and under. is
'od and bright with heather. Tho ar
'pplng stones were half covered with to
ter o.dny; the current was running Y
rcer than its wont. She bethoueht
rselt Of rustic bridge a few yards
:ther down.
The bridge hung high in the dir, II
9ported by rough pine stems; it IN,
8 picturesque but fragile affair. 50,
II way across lrma put her hand on ma
rail-how noisy the stream was IN m
t snapped off at her touch, one asc
oden plank tottorel under her feet, ba,
'ther tell with a splash Into the an
Ter below. She had plenty of Of
rage; she was light and active.
knew, moreover, that she could h.,
ny leap that formidable-looking ~ ~
and gain the bank. She was i
ut to make the attempt when she nrc
stopped by a pcremptory shout: o ~
Gontly, gently! Jump from that I'm
jectlng stem; it is ssfe!" tbo
he looked up; on the edge of the Of Of :
ther.co7ered rock stood Albrecht ma,
tzenberg. h"a
ne paused uncertain, half inclined W.
etrace her steps. Perceiving her woa
tatlon, he raised bis voice and wo w. =
ated still louder above tho clamor ~hl
he rushing water: WY W.,
Can you hear me, Baroness Irma?" r oo,