Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-06-24
Continued.


Il do not know"
"And I am to go, too? First am to
leave Westenberg, now am to re-
turn?"
Certainly, to protect me, cousin.
could travel quite well alone, but
here it is in black and white"
Gracious goodness, how shall get
ready! We shall have to leave at five
o'clock tomorrow morning" she com
planned, fastening into the adjoining
room.
Meanwhile Robert Nordmann stood
motionless at the stove.
81 shall have to help her." I muir
INJURED, preparing to follow cousin.
But she would not admit me. | should
leave her for Gods sake, or she would
lose her head entirely; she would
pack up everything, she and Hubner's
Pike. There was no possibility OF
helping her. so I returned and seated
myself at the sitting-room window. 1t
was dark, for the old lady had taken
the lamp with her-it, was dark and
still, but for the ticking Of the clock,
The man at the stove did not stir.
7 had spent these few weeks in the
mountains as if in a deep sleep, a
beautiful, brief dream. Now the
awakening, the wretched awakening
had come; the sweetness of the
scarcely-vanished dream made reality
still more desolate. What would
happen now? Not as long as he wore
the uniform, he had said Mamma
would have respite before learning
that she was the wife Of a cheat. She
would not survive it, 1 felt it, but no
one could save her from it. Involun-
tarily l folded my hands. An expedi-
ent, dear Lord!
The door Of the adjoining room now
opened a little. 'Ah, Robert" called
cousin, lone moment"
Slowly he approached the door and
disappeared in her bedroom. Neither
they nor noticed that the door was
not tightly shut Very soon heard
low murmur, which my ear did no
catch, then his loud, calm voice said:
"And were it so a thousand times, as
you say, cousin, I would have to do So.
Or do you think I would offer maiden
/ loved sullied name? Do you think
I could bear to have people point their
fingers al. US, to hear them say: That
is NOrdmann, whose father was pur-
sued publicly by warrant Of captain,
because he stole,-the Nordmann who
was imprisoned' And now, I pray
you, let US leave these discussions
You confuse me with your objections
and I need a clear head more than
ever now"
l shut the door that I might over
hear no more of the conversation.
They did not remark my act. But
had heard enough All, therefore! He
loved, he wanted to wed The room
suddenly seemed so cold to me that
my teeth chartered
Suddenly / heard cousins voice say.
ing aloud: Would to God I were
dead All, Robert, Robert! My Anne
liese, my poor little Anneliese!"
At these words I sprang up angrily:
my composure deserted me utterly; in
a trice I was inside the room, standing
before the old lady with a menacing
attitude; 1--WE want no more pity,
neither I nor mammal" cried I. Herr
Nordmann is doing right, and if he al
lows you to persuade him to spare this
Wollmeyer, I myself will go to him
and say he is a cheat"
Cousin advanced hastily to me and
seized my arm. Lord, Anneliese!
Robert, now she has heard it,"
He drew near me, and took my hand.
Farewell, Fraulein Anneliese," said
he. then he turned and left the room. I
saw the door close behind him, before
my eyes danced a fiery light, CROPPED
for cousin as if for support, then con-
seriousness left me.
When I re-awoke, I lay upon my
bed; the lamp was turned low, and
upon footstool sat the cid lady. A
bowl OF water stood beside her. in it
was a compress. AS I stirred, she
started up and bent over me.
''AnneHese, speak but one word to
me. DO you know me, Anneliese?"
With difficulty I collected myself
Where is Herr Nordmann?" I asked
quickly.
"Ah, Lord, child, do not excite your.
self! He has gone Oh, Anneliese,
had he only remained over there, had
he not returned!" she moaned.
Gle is doing right" said I CURLY.
Eyes, yes!" she sobbed. but for
that reason it is so difficult!'
Go to bed, cousin, please, please! I
am tired and would like to sleep"
Finally she went. Upon this New
Years Eve lay awake and heard the
church-bells ring at midnight Wherq
was he? Then I buried my head in
the pillows, and large, hot tears gush.
ed from my eyes.
Oh, silly Anneliese, for you there is
no happiness!
CHAPTER XIX.
The next morning set out in the
darkness; cousin was wrapped in
Hubner's old fur hunting-coat, which