Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-14
Continued.
By ". FIEIMBURG.

purDOSeIy, Tor tueu COulu hOI Nav
avoided introducing her TO Antje, and
| do not wish to do that; you know
very we'll why"
Why, Leo, you are the most uncon
scionable fellow in the world! Has it
never occurred to you that III your
daily intercourse with child like
that who has just only put her head
out Of the home-nest, a"
We'll, what?" cried Jussnitz.
That she might conceive an I'M
lucky attachment for you, for one
thing?"
But the announcement of my mar
riage would not guard her against
that"
y would not be sure OF that, my
friend" returned Maiberg.
We'll then, let her inquire me up
before she bestows her heart on me, -
replied Jussnitz, peevishly turning
his back on his friend, and bending
down to the Baroness. who held out
her hand authoritatively, saying:
viii you wager with me that to-
morrow I can tell you exactly how
large your picture is that you are
painting now, the pose Of your Span
ish girl, and the color of her lace
trimmed skirt? Will you bet Herr
Tussnitz?"
Il could not possibly make bet
which | am perfectly certain you will
lose"
Il shall not lose"
Very well, then. At what hour to,
morrow shall l hear this, Baroness?"
Elk the hour yourself"
AT six, then" he said, with smile.
Done! Your hand upon it,
What is the price" inquired Bar
renberg, coming up to them.
ooh, some nice little present" re-
piled the Baroness, with a smile
What do you say, Jussnitz, to copy
Of the picture? Yes, we will make
1t that"
And then the little white figure dis
appeared amid the throng of guests.
Some one in the next room began to
play a Strauss waltz, and the next
moment Nelly Benken danced past
with Lieutenant Osten, and the others
joined in with all the ardor of youth.
An hour might have passed when the
music broke off suddenly in the midst
Of waltz. Antje, who had sat down
beside the loquaciOus old colonel's
wife, who was relating the sad story
Of the death of three husbands, paid
no heed to her neighbours words,
which simply sounded in her ears like
the murmur of a fountain. Suddenly
the lady in green velvet stopped
speaking, and the hurried, agitated
tone Of the Baroness came to them
from the next room.
Pray, my friends, all come in here;
the young people are going to give us
some tableauX Vivants-only a few,
and they will be given quickly before
supper"
The old lady put her arm into
Antics.
Come, Frau Jussnitz, let us go to-
gether, or-are you going to appear
too? Then of course---''
mo, said Antje, walking on beside
her
In the next room they had closed
the wide folding-door which opened
into third room. The young girls
and some of the gentlemen were in
there, and sounds of laughing and gig
Cling were heard occasionally. A serv-
ant was placing chairs opposite the
door for the spectators, among whom
were Maiberg and Jussnitz In the
front row sat Ante between the
colonei's wife and the young and ele-
CANT widow of Barrenbergs hunting
friend, who declared quite frankly
that these improvised tableauX and
ch6rades. so far as her experience
went, were generally very poor.
Don't you think so, too?" she
asked Antje.
q have seen very few" Ante re
piled.
Il envy YOU sighed the beautiful
widow. Here in society we are alb
solutely flooded with them
The folding-doors opened and dis
played first a Christmas scene, in
which Nelly again played her part as
angel.
Then came a Lorelei, who sat on
the arm of a sofa, whence she looked
down at Lieutenant Osten, who was
rowing about III great old German
chest. Nelly Benkin's golden hair
was charmingly effective and pro-
cured for the picture loud Bravo"
Spanish Dancer, after Jussnitz!'
now announced the little Baroness.
JuSsnitz shrugged his shoulders
with a smile and looked at Maiberg
1T IS too But what he was coins
to say can never be known for there
stood
A universal murmur of admiration
passed through the room: then {
pause of admiring attention. ONLY
Antje turned her eyes from the girl
ish figure and looked across at he
husband He had his head bent for
ward and was gazing at the Lowell,
face with a look of surprise and de
light
Hilda's slim figure was thrown u
by backgl ound of dark-leave
plants. She stood on a slight elevs
ton, in the same pose as in the pict
ure, her left hand in the folds of he
pale yellow gown, the fan in herrigh
The upper part of her figure was hal
bent backwards, and she displayed t
the spectator her beautiful face wit
the dark, yelled. seductive eyes. TIL
little white teeth cleaned ou+ =.