The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-30


III you really sympathizs with my
poor brother, keep him in the future
from mistakes of this Sort" he said.
His heart was very heavy. He could
scarce conceal the misery OF disap-
pointmcnt. Before the end of the last
act he stole quietly away. The world
for him had grown very gray and desc
late. He went hcme and there awaited
kurt--but he came not.
NATURALLY he will go to Heldreich's
and allow himself to be consoled for
his miserable failure" thought the
Herr Assessor, trying in vain TO crush
down the bitterness that filed his heart
at the thought.
The next morning he received note.
IL must consult you as soon as pos
sible in regard TO something very inn
portant and shall expect you in the
course of the morning." it read. fol-
lowed by the signature "Greta Held
reich"
An hour later he was announced.
Greta advanced TO meet him, hastily
closing the door of the salon after him.
Her checks were flushed and the hand
which she extended was icy cold.
"I have passed sleepless night" she
said. II believe l shall never be able
to sleep again if do not tell you every
thing everything that you ought TO
know"
sin the name Of heaven, Fraulein
Greta, what has happened?"
do you suspect nothing"
slow should -"
"Your brother-he has not betrayed
our secret?"
"It concerns him? Fraulein Greta,
have you considered this step well?
Your father has always INDUCED you
your every wish is gratifeld-but re-
member that this involves the happi-
ness of n whole life"
20 my God, my God, do not say thati
/ will explain-everyone shall know
that the fault is mine, and not his"
"But l implore you TO consider what
you are doing. AS soon as this step is
made public it becomes irretrievable.
Ny brother is so much younger than
you, but yesterday evening gave am
pie proof of his immaturity. Such
step"
"of what do you speak? You GER
tainly are not in earnest
"Fraulein Greta, one does not jest at
time like this"
She glanced at him and, in spite of
the tears that filled her eyes, mis-
chievous smile curved her lips.
"But allow me TO finish. 1t is hard,
but | must contestant THAT
wrote that unfortunate comedy
"You!"
eyes, /, and because you once said
that YOU de.ested literary women,
begged your brother TO let il appear in
his name. o, was so silly. l thought
you would give ii your heartiest approx
al, il you thought your brother was the
author-Kurt was so proud OF it-and
II was blind until last night, when
my eyes were opened, and my heart was
pierced at the sight of your pale face.
Well, now you know the worst, and this
afternoon / am going to reception,
where / can tell every one that am the
author Of the play, even though that
dear. lovely Kurt, in his boyish OBJ
stinncy, would listen TO no reason, but
insisted upon bearing the burden Of
failure"
The grave face OF the Herr Assessor
grew radiant. Suddenly he seized her
hands:
20. how can ! thank you, how can
thank you'll What heavy burden you
lift from my heartl Let the people
think what they will, If l but know
that my brother is not the author"
"You think the disgrace Of failure
less hard for me to bearP'
"You dear Fraulein Greta, you have
never stepped beyond the well-guarded
tranquility of your own family circle
what do you know OF the world? The
righteousness which brepthes through
your little play is only an added
charm TO a maiden Of you. years-but
for young man, il is quite the con-
trary."
"And you do not quite detest me?
Because to the luxury which sur
rounds you, you would add the fame Of
dramatic authorship"
"And because allowed your brother
TO assume the responsibility!
He smiled.
81 believe az this instant you might
confess any fault TO mel should be
able 10 find good excuse for It,"
80, but it is all really your fault, be-
cause ] was so afraid Of your criticism,
that / was obliged to impose on you
little. Stupid, wasn't ito"
"Gretal"
A week later, Kurt Drallburg again
stood before the looking-glass.
"Greta is right, do resemble him."
he murmured. "She says in ten years
will look just like him, and II she were
not now engaged 10 him, she would
then be undoubtedly in love with me.
That may as well be taken as a compile
ment. One must learn the ways of
woman-yes. But experience makes
the man, and / will soon prove TO Greta
that his younger brother is a man in.