The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-12-14

he turned 10 look at neF' Tears Sioou |
in her bright eyes. Did Hurts 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- |
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 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 a 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 l fter H.. 7
Her cheeks were flushed and the hand
which she extended was icy cold
Il have passed a sleepless night she
said. Il believe l shall never be able
to sleep again if 1 do not tell you every
thing-everything that you ought to
| know"
I'm 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-but re-
member that this involves the happi-
ness of a whole life
80 my God, my God, do not say that!
[ will xplain-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.
NV brother is so much younger than
YOU. but yesterday evening gave am
ple proof of his immaturity. Such a
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, a mis-
chievous smile curved her lips.
But allow me to finish. 1t is hard,
} but | must contestant that
> wrote that unfortunate comedy.
"You!"
Eyes. I. and because you once said
that YOU detested literary women,
1 beUoed YOUR brother to let it appear in
his name. o, / was silly i thought
= YOU would give ii your heartiest GfSfiop'r
al. if YOU thought your brother was the
author-Kurt was so proud of lt-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
S afternoon | am going to a reception
where | can tell every one that am the
author of the play, even though that
0 dear. lovely Kurt, in his boyish OBJ
stinacy. would listen to no reason, but
: insisted upon bearing the burden OF
= failure
7 The grave face of the Herr Assessor
grew radiant. Suddenly he seized her
1 hands:
: 80, how can 1 thank you, how can
e thank you! What heavy burden yor
n lift from my heart! 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 bear?'
i. You dear Fraulein Greta, you have
Il never stepped beyond the well-guardet
d tranquility of your own family circle
what do you know of the world? The
: righteousness which breathes through
l your little play is only an added
t charm to a maiden of your years-bu
for a young man, it is quite the con
Il trary."
5 "And you do not quite detest me?"
It Because to the luxury which sur
J rounds you, YOU would add the fame o
" dramatic authorship"
And because | allowed your brothe,
- to assume the sponsibility."
He smiled.
Il believe at this instant you nigh
confess any fault to mel should b.
# able to find good excuse for it,
/ 80, but it is all really your fault, be
g cause l was SO afraid of your criticism
that l was obliged to impose on you
little. Stupid, wasn't it?"
p "Greta!"
# week later. Kurt Drallburg again
stood before the loolingglass.
+ "Greta is right, l do resemble him.
l. he murmured. She says in ten year
# l will look just like him, and if she wer
d not now engaged to him, she wou.t
a then be undoubtedly in love with me
n That may as we'll be taken as a compli
II ment. One must learn the ways of
s woman-yes. But experience make
# the man, and l will soon prove to Gret
that his younger brother is man in
n deed"