Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-02
IRMA'S BETROTHAL.

In one of the turret rooms of Reitzen-
berg castle a young girl, arrayed in a
simple dress and white apron, sat sew
ing industriously. At the sound Of foot
steps she paused in her work. At the
sight of a hussar officer in uniform she
redeemed with vexation. Yet there was
nothing in Albrecht Won Rietzenberg's
appearance to annoy her. On the con-
trary, he was young, very good looking,
tall and of dignifed bearing.
"Win 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. 81 have
a proposal to make to you, Baroness
Irma. Will you give me your attention
for little while?"
She looked at him Indignantly. She
had a sweet oval face and deep gray
eyes.
i prefer not to listen to you, Count
Albrecht."
Il thought that you would say So
there was something like a ring of tri-
umph in his voice-"but indeed my
proposal is very harmless. Let us come
to an understanding.
There was uncertainty, distrust, in
her eyes,
Yes" continued the young officer.
81 know that you have every reason TO
be offended You have been most I'M
fairly treated
Il have been invited to this house
under false pretensss. l came because
7 thought that the visit would give
Measure 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
Not at all. You are perfectly
right. and my relative, Frau Won Woide,
is in the plot, and has been from the
beginning. | know all about it now.
Nv old uncle has just enlighted me. l,
as the heir of the Reitzenberg castle
YOU will excuse my mentioning my
name frst-have received orders to Of
fer my hand and my debts in marriage
to the Baroness Irma Won Buchow,
who. on obtaining her majority, Will
become possessed os so large fortune
that she could free the ReitZenberg es-
tate with a stroke of her pen. Nay,
hear me out. This lady was to have
been kept in ignorance Of the plan, but
her friend and chaperon could not resist
the temptation of giving her hint as to
how matters stand after she had be-
come the guest of the castle. Is this
500"
Yes" She stood by his side now,
and the sunlight just touched the coils
of her auburn hair. Il have been de-
ceived. cruelty deceived"
t'Under1 the, circumstances, nothing
remains for me but 10 give you the OPP
portuuity of expressing your opinion as
to this tyrannous' family compact, even
more decidedly than you have done al
ready. Baroness Irma of .Buchow, will
YOU consent to give me your hand in
marriage?"
Count Albrecht Of Reitzenberg, 1
thank YOU for the. honor you have
shown me. I viii not
They stood facing each other, and as
Irma looked at her stranger wooer she
saw a faint smile in his eyes. Her own
anger was beginning to evaporate. He
really was behaving well considering
that the Reitzenbergs. were renowned
for their hasty tempers.
"YOu admit" she said. after a pause,
chat I have been awkwardly placed?"
~ admit that you have been inhos-
pitably. abominably treated. blush
TO think that q member of our family
could have dreamed of such scheme.
In order TO show YOU how penitent
am. now that I have received my dis
missal, will Immediately leave this
house and rid YOU of my presence"
al you do that, Count Albrecht. I
shall be worse off than ever. You
don't know your cousin, Frau Won
WoIde. She viii insist upon my re-
naming here for three months, as was
arranged, she will reproach me Tor