The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-15
IRMA'S BETROTHAL.


In one Of the turret rooms Of Reitzen-
berg castle young girl, arrayed In sim
pie dress and white apron, sat sewing in.
dustriously. At the sound of footsteps she
paused In her work. At the sight Of a
hussar officer In uniform she redeemed
with vexation.y, Yet there was nothing In
Alhreoht Won Reitzenberg's appearance to
annoy her. On the contrary, he was young,
very good looking tnll and of dignifled
bearing.
"Will you allow me to come IMP" he
asked standing on the threshold.
The girl took up her work again. "You
can come In If you wish," she said in
differently.
He walked across the room. II have a
proposal to make to you, Baroness Irma.
Win you give me your attention for lit
tie while2'
She looked at him Indignantly. She had
sweet oval face and deep gray eyes.
II prefer not to listen to you. Count
Albrecht."
~ thought that you would say so'-
there was something like ring Of tri-
umph in his voice-"but indeed my pro.
posal Is very harmless. Let us come to an
understanding.
There was uncertainty. d,strust in her
eyes.
Eyes" continued the Young officer. At
know that you have every reason to he
offended, You have been most unfairly
treatedn
~ have been invited to this house under
false protenses. ! came because thought
that tho visit would give pleasure to Frau
Won Wolde, who fills, or is supposed to fill.
tho place of my mother. am sorry to
sneak disrespectfully of YOUR cousin.
butt
"Not at all You are perfectly right.
and nv relative Frau Won Wolde IL in the
plot. and has been from tho beginning
know all about IL now NV old ,,ncle has
lust enlightened me. I, as the heir of
Reitzcnberg castle-you will excuse nv
mentionina nv name first-haye received
orders to offer INV hand and nv debts in
marriage TO the Baroness Jrma Won IN.
chow. who. on attaining her majority will
become possessed of SO large n fortAne than
sbo coull free tho Reitzenhero estate with
a stroke of her peu. Nav. hear me ont.
This laay was to beye been kent in 10.
norance Of tbo Man hut her friend and
chnperon could not resist the temptn.
tion Of Giving bora hint as to how matters
stand oftar she had become tho g,Iest Of
tho castle. Ia this sop
uYos y She stood nv bis side now and
tbe sunlight inst touched tho cola nf NOR
auburn hair 1T bnv. hoo, dace;ved crn.
ellv deceived "
ITJnder tbo circumstances nothing rp.
mains for ma bnt IN Give Won tbe onnor.
tunitv of exnressine vour oninion as IN
tbis tvrapno,,s family comp,ct even moro
decidedly thnn ynu have done already
Baroness Irno Of Buchow will Won con.
semi IN give mo vour hand in marriagep,
uCount Albrecht of Reitzenherg
THANH Won for tho honor ypbicb Won have
shown mo will NOT },
Tbev stood facing e,cb otber and as
Jrm, j,oknd nh ber strano, ,yoocr che cow
a faint sp,iIe in bis evcs Her avn anger
w,s l,oginniny tn sray.,rate He renI,v ,Ta,
bebayipg Will considerin, tba4 INC Rojt-
yenherge ysnra reno, ned for tbeir bastv
hammers
Ivan admit " she said after a manga
"thot 7 have heen ukyyardjv n,.ce59,,
~ admit that Won have been inbosnita.
h1v obominablv frnatcdI blusb To think
FIAT n mer,her nj our family con,d have
Irn~msI of s,ob n eobema In ordar a.
chow Won how, r,orite,,t nm NOW thotI
have received INV ,1ismissaI will ;rme.
,linto,v leave this house and rid vnr nf NV
nrosen,e ),
az rnu 10 that Commit Alhrecht shall
Inc worse nf than ever Yon 6on,t know
your cousin. Fran Won Wolde. She will
A.. L.. r.
months as was arranged, she will reproach
nc fer your ABSENCE she will argue and
make 1re dislike you more than ever, if''-
If possible?"
His good humor was irresistible She
burst into merry laugh.
For another half hour the rejected sutton
remained in conversation with tho heiress,
and at the end of that time they, too, had
made plot. Albrecht was to remain ut
the castle, he and the Baroness 1rma were
to pretend TO be on amicable terms, and
the two Gonspirators, the count and the
chaperon, were not to learn until the last
day OF the visit expired that their hopes
had failed
81 will endeavor to make your visit as
little irksome to you as possible" explain
ed the heir of Reitzenberg, land we can
behave as If there were no enmity between
u.s."
"Yes''-there was still little doubt in
her voice and manner-'I think that can
trust you"
Come, " he said gently. Baroness Irma
is it truce between us signed and scaled2"
He took her hand In his and bending
over it raised her fingers to his lips.