Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-15
BARONESS IRMA'S BETROTHAL.

BARONESS IRMA'S BETROTHAL
In one Of the turrent rooms of Reitz-
enberg Castle q young girl, arrayed in
a simple dress and white apron, sat
sewing industriously At the sound of
footsteps she paused in her work; at
the sight Of Hussar officer in uni
form she redeemed with vexation. Yet
there was nothing in Albrecht Won
ReitZenberg's appearance to annoy her;
on the contrary, he was young, very
good-lOoking, tall, and of dignifed
bearing
"Will 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 indlfferently.
He walked across the room. Il have
proposal to make to you, Baroness
Irma. Will you give me your attention
for a little while?"
She looked at HIM Indignantly, she
had sweet oval voice and deep gray
eyes.
Il prefer not to listen to YOU, Count
AlDrecht."
4 thought that you would say SOL!
(there was something like a ring of
triumph in his voice.. but indeed my
proposal is very harmless. Let us come
to an understandings
There was uncertainty, distrust in
her eyes.
Yes" continued the young officer,
Il know that you have every reason
to be offended You have been most
unfairly treated"
i have been invited to this house
under false pretenseB. l came because
l 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"
Not at all. You are perfectly right,
and my relative, Frau Won Wolde, is
in the plot, and has been from the be-
ginning. | thought all about it now. My
old uncle has just enlightened me. l,
as the heir Of Reitzenberg Castle-you
will excuse my mentioning my name
first?-have received orders to offer my
hand and my debts in marriage to the
Baroness Trina Won BuchOW, who, on
attaining her majority, will become
possessed of so large a fortune that
she could free the ReitZenberg estate
with a stroke Of her pen. Nay, 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 temptation of giving her a hint as
10 how matters st&Id after she had be-
come 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. 4 have been de-
ceived cruelty deceived"
Under the circumstances. nothing
remains for me but to give you the
opportunity of expressing your opin-
ion as to this tyrannous family COM
pact, even more decidedly than you
have done will you consent to give me
your hand in MARRIAGE"
Count Albrecht of Reitzenberg,
thank you for the honor which you
nave shown me. [ will not"
They stood facing each other, and as
Irma booked at her strange wOOer she
saw a faint smile in his eyes. Her
own anger was beginning to evapora1&
he really was behaving well, consider
ing that the ReitZenbergs were renOw-
ed for their hasty tempers.
You admit" she said, after pause,
that I have been awkwardly placed?"
Il admit that you have been in
Hospitality, abominably treated! blush
10 think that member of our family
could have dreamt of such a scheme.
In order to show you how penitent I
am, now that | have received my dis
missal. 1 will Immediately leave this
house and rid you Of my presence"
If you 40 that, Count AIbrecht, I
shall be verse 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 viii argue, and make me dislike
you more than ever, if"
IF possible?'
His good humor was Irresistible. She
burst into a merry laugh.
For another half hour the rejected
sutton remained in conversation with
the heiress, and at the end of that
time they, too, had made plot Al
brecht was to remain at the castle, he
and the Baroness Irma were to pretend
to be on amicable terms, and the two
ercn) were not to learn until the, last
consrirators the Count and the Chap