The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-12-08

his thoughts. She saw with his eyes,
saw what she had not seen before, that
the play was indeed very weak.
there is great difference between
seeing the lines on paper and hearing
them spoken" she ventured, timidly.
"And I have used my utmost en-
deavor to make a strong, sensible man
of my brother. And this is my reward
this evidence of shallowness and con-
ceit." groaned the Herr Assessor.
Fraulein Greta sat silent, With down.
cast eyes. She was quite az pale as her
neighbor. y >
''That such disgrace should be HIS"
murmured Richard. 20, I never sus-
pected that he could be so callow! It
is bitter revelation, suddenly to dis
cover that person whom one has
thought possessed of a certain earnest
ness of purpose, has in reality been
squandering his time with such child.
ish nonsense"
20 please, please, do not take it SC
fearfully in earnest" whispered Frau
lein Greta.
He turned to look at her. Tears stood
in her bright eyes. Did Kurt's failure
touch her so nearly?
IF you really sympathize 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-
pointment. Before the end of the last
act he stole quietly away. The world
for him had grown very gray and DESC
late. HI went home 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 filled his heart
at the thought.
The next morning, he received note.
II 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 cheeks were flushed and the hand
which she extended was icy cold.
Il have passed sleepless night" she
said. II believe I shall never be able
to sleep again if do not tell you every
thing everything that you ought to
know"
''In the name of heaven, Fraulein
Greta, what has happened?"
do you suspect nothing?'
"How should I?''
"Your brother-he has not betrayed
our secret?"
1T concerns him? Fraulein Greta,
have you considered this step we'll?
Your father has always INDUCED YOU
your every wish is gratifield- re-
member that this involves the happi-
ness of a whole life
20 my God, my God, do not say that!
I will explain-everyone shall know
that the fault is mine, and not his"
"But I implore you to consider what
you are doing. AS soon as this step is
made public it becomes irretrievable.
MY brother is so much younger thar,
you, but yesterday evening gave am
pie proof of his immaturity. Such a
step"
"Of what do you speak? You GER
tainly are not in earnest"
1o:~ 10 1acf
time like this h, ..--s.... .-z. .sy
She glanced at him and, in spite OF
the tears that filled her eyes, a mis-
chievous smile curved her lips.
"But allow me to finish. It is hardl
but I must contestant THAT !
wrote that unfortunate comedy"
"You!"
eyes, I, and because you once said
that you detested literary women,
begged your brother to let it appear in
his name. o, I was so silly. I thought
you would give it your heartiest approx
al, if 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 I am going to a reception,
where 1 can tell every one that am the
author of the play, even though that
dear, lovely Kurt, in his boyish OBJ
stinacy, 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 I
thank you! What a heavy burden you
lift from my heart! Let the people
think what they will, if I but know
that my brother is not the author
''You think the disgrace of failure
less hard for me to bear?"
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
irlgenuousness which breathes through
your little play is only an added
charm to maiden of your years-but
for young man, it is quite the con.
trary."
'And you do net 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.
Il believe at this instant you might
confess any fault to mel should be
able to find good excuse for it," t