Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-04-29

will you consent to give me your hare
in MARRIAGE"
Count Albrecht CT Eeitzcnherg, !
thank YOU fer the homer which you have
shown NE. I will not"
They stood facing each other, and as
lrr:a looked at her strange wooer sic
saw faint smile in his eyes. Her ow'
urger was leginninT to cv2porate; he
really was behaving we'll, considcrin;
that The Ec:tzenberEs were renowned
for their hasty tempcrs.
You ADMIT" she said, after pause
that have been awl;wardly placed"
II admit that you have Ecen inhos.
r;taLly, ahominahIy treated! l blush
to think that a member of our family
coaid have dreamed CT such a scheme.
In order to show you how penitent am.
now that | have received my dismissal,
will Immediately leave this house and
rid you of my presence"
IF YOU do that, Count Albrccht, !
Shall be worse off than ever. You don't
l.row YOUR cousin, Frau Won Woide. She
will insis, upon my remaining here for
ihrce months, as was arranged, she will
rcprcach me for your absence, she will
argue and make me dislike you more
than ever, if"
IF possiDle?"
His goo, humor was irresistible; she
burst into Il merry laugh.
Fer another half hour the rejected
sutton remained in conversation with
the heiress, and at the end of that time
they. TOO, had made plot. Albrecht
vas TO remain ut the castle, he and the
Bmoness Irma were to pretend to be
on amicable terms, and the two con-
sDirators (the count and the chaperone)
were not TO learn until The last day Of
The visit expired that their hopes had
failed.
u will crdearor to make your visit as
lntlc !rhscme to you as possible" eX-
planned the heir Of Reitzenberg; land
we ran Lehave as if there were no en-
nifty Eetwcen US"
Yes" (and there was still a little
Goubt in her voice and manner). u
1h.nh can trust YOU"
Come" he said, gently, baroness
lrlna, is it Il truce between us signed and
sea!cd?'
lie took her hand in his, and, bending
over it, raised her fingers to his lips.
The master of the castle was the first
TO begin hosti!ites. One day, toward
the end Of the three months visit, Irma
came into the Grawing-room to lind the
whole party awaiting her arrival, and in
an instant she perceived that something
was wrong. Frau yon Wolde had been
shedding tears, the old counts brow
was clouded with anger, and Albrecht-
Irma hardly dared look at him, so
changed w0s his aspect. 1t was too
clear that tie termination OF the pleas
ant compaEionship of the last few
weeks was to be war.
My dear Baroness Erma," said the
count. advancing TO meet his young
guest with ceremonious politeness, II
am exceedingly pleased tosee you. Your
visit here has given me great satisfac-
ton. You horored this house with
your preserce, with the full consent
of your guardian and my esteemed
cousin, Frau von Wolde. had hoped,
tbt without grounds, that the friend
ship between you and my heir was
gradually ripening into deeper and
more lasting feeling. The alliance is
pne 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-
;3osal of marriage"
Irma looked toward Count Al5recht;
ronlething that she read in his wrath
ful mien made her hesitate as she an
rwered: "It is quite true; we are
friends, and nothing more" -