Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-12-12
Continued.


And now you can write to your
mother that | wasted the first money
I have earned since our marriage in
buying rubbish, as she in her ignor-
ance is pleased to call it, instead Of
giving it to you to pay the butcher
and baker She will be sure to sym
pathize with yor
Ante, who was just pouring out
the tea, shivered slightly, but made
no reply. Maiberg rustled his news
paper as if he were not listering, and
Hilda had withdrawn into one of the
deep embrasures of the window
There was a peculiar smile on her
lips, as if she were glad he should
suffer from the narroWness of the
'nonentity" whom he has chosen.
They sat down silently at the table:
no one felt in the mood to open the
conversation. The dishes were passed
round, and no sound was heard bur
the gathering Of plates and forks. II
was hot and close in the room. Sue
denly Their sounded a welcome voice
from outside, and the gay, infectious
laugh of the Baroness, and a moment
later she came in, accompanied by the
two Fraulein Won Benken Colonel Won
Barrenberg and the inevitable Lieu
tenant Won Osten
we should not venture to intruda
upon our good friends and neighbors
like this if it were not very special
occasion" cried Irene Won Erlach
MY dear Herr Jussnitz, do you notice
anything unusual about us? Guess
what has happened-and you, too,
MaibeTg. Fraulein Won Zweidorf,
horT do | look to you ?'
When the Baroness appeared in
any company she had the effect of
champagne, or a Strauss waltz. And
today more than ever!
Il have done a horribly silly thing"
she continued, ''and | warn you al
against following my example If
had not got tired of the everlasting
teasing, then-Well, to cut it short,
here stands"-and she stretched up
her hand to the smiling Barrenberg
and caught him by his unusually we'll
WaXed mustache-"here stands my
future husband"
She clapped her hands as f
amazed at herself, and laughed so
heartily that they all Joined in, and
Leo the loudest of all. Bravo. An
engagement! We must celebrate it,"
he cried. 'Antje, order in some
champagne"
Antje obediently gave the order,
and when the champagne came she
canked her glass with the betrothed
paia', gravely but pleasantly.
Il wish you great happiness, all
happiness" she said with moistened
eyes.
And why shouldn't we be happy?'
laughed the bride 1--WE do not take
life so tragically, do we, Wilhelm ?
we viii try how it goes together
and"
ell-and?" said Maiberg. play
fully.
And if it doesn't 60"
Il say, Irene. that sounds promis-
ing" interrupted. her betrothed
We'll, if it doesn't go, we will get
divorce" she finished, putting her
little hand against his lips, and he
kissed it with an embarrassed smile.
Antje went quietly back to her place.
Bravo, Barrenberg!" said Leo.
You will never be bored
'Bored?" cried Frau Won Erlach.
Boredom is the mother of all vices.
In my opinion, a wife cannot do any
thug more foolish than allow her
husband to feel bored
Very comforting for me-" said the
happy lover.
There are a great many ways Ct
vanishing ennui," remarked Maiberg.
arelessly but it is question
whether the opposite of ennui always
aeans happiness"
"A hundred thousand ways" chimed
in Irene, ignoring the last remark,
only amiability is not one of them,
as is so often enormously taken for
granted No man can put up with
that for long. Instead, a little-but |
will not betray the secrets of the
prison-house, for Fraulein Won Zwei-
dorf is looking frightfully inquisitive
already"
Antje turned like the rest to look at
Hilda. The girls eyes flashed for a
moment, then she turned crimson.
Jussnitz looked at her admiringly.
Look like that tomorrow when l
paint you" he cried But Hilda did
not appear to have heard him.
She has a. talent for what I mean. -
remarked Irene to Jussnitz. He
smiled and nodded. Ante kept
silence.
Too silly" whispered Nelly and
Nelly to each other.
After this they mad a noisy game of
cards, followed by a game of forfeits.
The Baroness was gayer even than
usual.
Antje seated herself in one of the
deep window embrasures. She had a
bad headache. Maiberg went up tC
her and begged her to go away. But
she smiled and shook her head. Lee
would not like it, she said. In truth
she did not wish it herself; she KEEP
her eyes fixed on her husband, who
was continually appearing at Hide
garde's side, although the cir
scarcely deigned to speak to him. ant
turned to Barrenberg or Maiberg il
all the little turnings Of the game
Antje bit her lips as she saw tn
Baroness smile at this. and sh,
clenched her hands. Why had Co
suffered it that Leo should have mar