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

In one of the turret rooms of Reitzen-
berg castle q young girl arrayed in
simple dress and white apron sat sew
ing industriously. At the sound of foot
steps she paused in her work; at the
sight of hussar officer in uniform she
Redeemed with vexation. Yet there was
nothing in Albrecht von Reitzenberg's
appearance to annoy her; on the con-
trary, he was young, very good looking,
tall and of dignifed bearing.
"Will you allow me to come inf" he
asked, standing on the threshold.
The girl took up her work again.
''You can come in if you wish" she said,
indifferently.
He walked across the room. 81 have
a proposal to make to you, Baroness
Irma. Will you give me your atten-
tion for little while?"
She looked at him Indignantly. She
had sweet, oval face and deep gray
eyes.
II prefer not to listen to you, Count
A1brecht."
Il thought that you would say sol"
(there was something like ring of
triumph in his voice) "but indeed my
proposal is very harmless. Let US come
to an understanding"
There was uncertainty, distrust, in
her eyes.
"Yes," continued the young officer, "I
know that you have every reason to be
offended. You have been most unfairly
treated"
II have been invited to this house
under false pretenses. / came here be-
cause / thought that the visit would
give pleasure to Frau Won Wolde, who
fills, or is supposed to fill, the place of
my mother. I 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 begin
ming. know all about It now. My old
uncle has just enlightened me. I, as the
heir of Reitzenberg castle-you will ex-
cuse my mentioning my name first
have received orders to offer my hand
and my debts in marriage to Baroness
Irma Won Buchow, who, on attaining
her majority, will become possessed OF
so large fortune that she could free
the Reitzenberg estate with stroke
of her pen. Now, hear me out; this
lady was to have been kept in ignorance
of the plan, but that her friend and
chaperon could not resisA the tempta-
ton of giving her hint as to how mat
ters stand after she had become the
- a l.. u t. 41.ee
"Yes." She stood by his side now, and
the sunlight just touched the coils of
her auburn hair. 81 have been deceived;
cruelty deceived"
"Under the circumstances, nothing
remains for me but to give you the op-
portunity of expressing your opinion
as to this tyrannous family compact
even more decidedly than you have done
already. Baroness Irma of Buchow, will
will you consent to give me your hand
in marriage?"
"Count Albrecht of Reitzenberg, I
thank you for the honor which you have
shown me. Twill not"
They stood facing each other, and as
Trma looked at her strange wooer she
saw a faint smile in his eyes. Her own
anger was beginning to evaporate; he
really was behaving well, considering
that the Reitzenbergs were renowned
for their hasty tempers.
"You admit" she said, after pause,
that have been awkwardly placed"
81 admit that you have been inhos-
pitably, abominably treated! ] blush
to think that member of our family
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"
EFF you do that, Count Albrecht, |
shall be worse 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 will
argue and make me dislike you more
than ever, if"
''If possible?'
Ills 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 made plot. Albrecht
was to remain at the castle, he and the
Baroness Irma were to pretend to be
on amicable terms, and the two con-
spirators (the count and the chaperone)
were not to learn until the last day of
the visit expired that their hopes had
| failed.
Il will endeavor to make your visit as
little irksome to you as possible ex-
| planned the heir of Reitzenberg; ''and
we can behave as If there were no en-
nifty between us"
"Yes," (and there was still a little
doubt in her voice and manner). Il
think / can trust you"
Come" he said, gently, Baroness
Irma, Is it truce between US signed and
sealed?"
He took her hand in his, and, bending
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 the three months visit, Irma
came into the drawing-room to find the
whole party awaiting her arrival, and in
an instant she perceived that something
was wrong. Frau Won Wolde had been
shedding tears, the old counts brow
was clouded with anger, and Albrecht-
Irma hardly dared look at him, SO
changed was his aspect. 1t was too
clear that the termination OF the pleas
ant comIandonship 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, q
am exceedingly pleased to see you. Your
visit here has given me great satisfac-
ton. You honored this house with
your presence, with the full consent
OF your guardian and my esteemed