Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1897-05-27

gradually ripening into q deeper and
more lasting feeling. The alliance is
one which must give satisfaction to all
interested in our families. Imagine my
distress on hearing to-day from my
nephew that you have refused his pro-
posal of marriage"
Irma looked toward Count Albrecht;
something that she read in his wrath
full mien made her hesitate as she an
swered: 1T is quite true; we are
friends, and nothing more
"It cannot be, my dear young lady,
that SO young a maiden should have
given away her preference without the
consent or knowledge of her guardian?
Answer me candidly: Are your af-
fections already engaged?"
The color surged into Irma's cheeks
and left them pale again. She glanced
at Frau Won Wolde. There was no help
for her there. "This is question which
you have no right to ask, Count Reitzen-
berg, and which refuse to answer. /
must beg you to excuse me-"
baroness Buchow is right" burst
in Albrecht. "She has suffered enough
at our hands already. She shall not be
thwarted in her will. IF she honors me
with her friendship, accept it crate
fully. Listen to me, my uncle. Irefuse
to. be party to your scheme"
The forest spread its wide wings even
as far as the castle garden. Irma loved
the green paths and quiet shades. and
here she came with her book the morn
ing after her interview with the count,
and pretended to read. But, though
she kept her eyes on the pages, she read
there only Count Albrecht's parting
words-he accepted her offer of friend
ship gratefully! Driven to bay, as it
were, in order to save her, that was
what he had said. During the last three
months she had come to understand
something of his uprightness, his high
sense of honor. He would never marry
a woman-though she were princess
to whom he could not give his love.
"It was my fortune" sighed Irma,
that made him nearly hate me at first"
Did he hate her now?
She shut her book and wandered still
further into the woods, down hillside
covered with fern and moss, toward the
stream that ran between high rocks,
chattering and foaming on its way. On
the further side of the stream was
tract of open country, dotted with
clumps of trees and underwood and
bright with heather. The stepping
stones were half covered with water to-
| day; the current was running fercer
than its won't. She bethought herself
of rustic bridge few yards further
| down.
The bridge hung high in the air, sup
| ported by rough pine stems; it was
picturesque but a fragile affair. Half
way across Irma put her hand on the
rail-how noisy the stream was!-it
snapped off at her touch, one wooden
/ plank tottered under her feet, another
fell with splash into the water below
She had plenty of courage; she was light
and active. She knew, moreover, that
she could easily leap that formidable
looking gap and gain the bank. She
was about to make the attempt when
she was stopped by peremptory shout:
Gently, gently! Jump from that
projecting stem; it is safe!"
She looked up; on the edge of the
heather-covered rock stood Albrecht
Reitzenberg.
She paused uncertain, half inclined to
retrace her steps. Perceiving her hesi-
tation, he raised his voice and shouted
still louder above the claInor of the
rushing water:
s'Can you hear me, Baroness Irma?"
She nodded assent.
"Step thereto the left. Do not look
back"
Involuntarily she obeyed. He held
out his arms. The gulf yawned between
them. He could be of no help.
'The stem will bear your weight. Do
not be in too great hurry"
"Why does he look so grave?" thought
Trma. SIS he still angry?"
81 had better return the way came,
Count Albrecht Do not trouble on my
account"
"No; do as I direct you. You see
which is the best place to stand? Drop
your boole-it might be in your way
and jump as far as you can. Nowl"
One spring, and Irma was safe on
the moss and heather, while the plank
on which she had thought to stand
slipped slowly but surely into the foam
ing water. Albrecht held her hands
clasped in his.
"Thank Heaven that you are safe!"
he cried. "Oh, Irma, my Irma, could
not stop you'll came just too late for
that. | could only look on in agony.
Are you frightened? Are you hurt?"
ST am not hurt. did not know that
it was dangerous. did not, indeed"
She saw him turn pale at the thought
of her peril, and the tears which she had
not shed for herself fell fast for his dis
tress.
.'Fhe bridge should have been de-
stroyed long ago; it shall be done to-
day. did not dare to join you or to
speak to you until you had passed the
worst If you had been lSilled-ah! 1
cannot bear to think of it--I should
never have known another days happi-
ness, and it would have been my fault
mine How could let you wander
about alone when / was longing to be
with you? Ny Irma, my best beloved!
Thank Heaven that have you safe at
last. Surely we have played at being
friends and enemies long enoughl Look
at me and say that you love mel"
/ When he had made her an offer Of
marriage three long months ago she
had been ready with her refusal. Now,
when her whole heart was his, she could
4 find no words amid her tears except:
Il love you'll love youl"
It was enough for him. MY bride,
my wifei" he said. and held her in his
arms.
| The green ferns rustled and whis-
pered. the beeches tossed their boughs
in the sunlight, the red squirrels played
in the oak trees, the whole wood was
full OF life and joy at that moment
when the lovers plighted their troth.-
Woman at Home.