Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-04-01
"If possible 2"

II pOsBlbIe:
His good humor was irresistible ;
she burst into a 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 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 chaper
one) were not to learn until the last
day of the visit expired that their
| hopes had failed.
II will endeayor to make your visit
as little irksome to you as possible, v
explained the heir of ReitZenberg
'and We can behave as if there were
no enmity between us.
."Yes" there was still little donbt
in her voice and mannerl, II think
that l can trust you"
Come" he said gently, Baron
ess Irma, is it truce between us
signed and sealed?'
He took her hand in his, and, bend
ing over 1t. raised her fingers to his
lips.
The master of the Castle was the
first to begin hostIlities. One day,
toward the end of tho three months
visit, Irma came into the drawing
room to find the whole party awaiting
her arrival, and in an instant she per-
ceived that something was wrong,
Frau Won Wolde had been shedding
tears, the old Counts brow was cloud
ed with anger, and Albrecht lima
hardly dared to look at him, so
changed was his aspect. 1t was too
clear that the termination of the
pleasant 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, "1
am exceedingly pleased to see you.
Your visit hero has given me great
satisfaction. You honored this house
with your presence, with the full con-
sent of your guardian and my esteemed
cousin, Fran Won Wolde. l hai hoped,
not without grounds, that the friend
ship between you and my heir was
gradually ripeninG into 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
proposal of marriage"
lnn Eat 4 NJ =
something that she read in his wrath
full mien made her hesitate MS she an
swered: "It is quite true; we are
friends, and nothing more"
at 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 affections already engaged?
The color surged into 1rma's cheeks
and left them pale again. She glanced
at Frau Won Wolde. There was no
help for her there. "This is ques-
tion which you have no right to ask,
Count Reitzenberg, and which Irefuse
to answer. l must beg you to ex-
cuse me-"
"The Baroness Buchow is right !"
burst IN Albrecht. "5he has suffered
enough at our hands already. She
shall not be thwurted in her will. If
she honors me with her friendship, l
accept it gratefully. Listen to me, my
uncle, refused to be party to your
scheme"
He 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 as she passed by
"a fair, girlish figure in her white
dress, her laces and blue ribbons-and
she passed him without word. The
truce between them was over.