Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-07
CHAPTER TX.

tered again, and with a vigorous jerk
she turned the key in the lock.
CHAPTER TX.
The celebration which the Baron
ess Erlach had planned could not take
place at her cousins haunted castle.
The old chimneys and stoves, which
had not been used for a half-century
or more, refused to do their duty
when trial of them was made, happi-
ly in good season. and the foreman
who was called in recommended eX-
tensive repairs which would take
several weeks to complete. So Herr
Won Barrenberg was obliged to con-
yey to his cousins the dismal tidings
that to his infinite regret he could not
receive his guests at Barrenberg, but
he begged they would spend the even
ing in his apartments in the city in
stead.
After all, it was not great misfor-
tune. After Irene Won Erlach had
rushed headlong into hundred plans
FOR the celebration, and promised her
little cousin measured about
six feet two-to cOnscientiOusly fulfil
her duties as hostess. She had all
manner of fantastic ideas for the
decoration of the salon, and began to
consider who should be invited; for
the practical cousin, who only opened
his rooms to the families of his
friends on compulsion, now that he
was ''in for it, wished to extend invl-
tatfons to some people to whom he
was indebted. Irene chose some
charming little presents for him,
promised to provide magnificent
Christmas-tree and Give" Christmas
angel, drove with him to the pastry
cooks, and thought of every smallest
detail, so that at last Barrenberg him
self began to enjoy the fun, and at
five o'clock precisely on Christmas
eve received his guests at the door of
his large and elegant bachelor estab-
lishment with the quiet, good-natured
smile that made his tall, somewhat
clumsy person so attractive.
Beside him stood Frau Won Erlach
in white silk gown, trimmed with
marabout feathers, above whose airy
down the dark, brilliant face looked
more charming than ever. Behind
her laughed and whispered two charm
ing blond young girls, Nelly and Nelly
Won Benkin, nieces of Barrenberg
, whom he had begged of his sister fol-
this evening. They were under the
| care of the little Baroness, and had
permission to enjoy the pleasures OF
the capital and the hospitality of the
| Baroness until the first of January
The two girls, who looked absurdly
alike made their most graceful
courtesies, which still had a lingering
flavor of the dancing school, gradual
ing them to suit the rank of tn
guest. and all with the most solemn
faces, which did not prevent then
from putting their heads together in
mediately afterward and giggline
Some of these people were really to
funny! There were the former con
rades of their uncle, the merry Lieute1
ant Won Osten conspicuous anon
them; then an asthmatic old colonel
wife in green velvet, who stared {
one through her eye-glass for half a
hour at a time; then there was th
widow of hunting friend; the
Ia young man in an impossib
civilians dress, whose cravat W;
much too red, and his young wi
much too pretty for him. He was
pianist, from whom their uncle TOT
| lessons.
"Just think of our good old unc
playing on the piano with tho
claws Of his" whispered Nelly
Nelly
| There was the celebrated actre
who thought it was 'tperfec
splendid idea" to invite her to
Christmas-eve party, who, waving /
feather fan and giving out stro
odor Of the latest perfume, plant
herself before her own picture, VIII
in a red velvet frame hung over
small divan, and turning up her e.
with an expression Nelly tried in V
to initiate afterward, considered d
Barrenberg's devotion quite touchi
There was General Won So and
with his wife and four daughters,
Youngest of whom numbered tn