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

Gch a very different Christmas.
She made no reply She had re-
;umed the air of an automaton as
she walked beside him to the great
salon, where a brilliant tree spanked
Maiberg, who was observing her
secretly was almost shocked at the
expression of her eyes. She stood
there among the others and heard the
playful poem which Nelly Benken re-
cited, standing on a dais in the char
acter OF an angel with white wings.
But Ante only heard the sound of the
words she did not take in their sense.
\ little later her fingers closed over
some small object which the angel
had put into her hand; she murmured
her thanks almost unconsciously.
These words were going over and
over in her mind: He tells me
nothing l do not possess
his confidence. l am nothing to him
now, neutrality-suspicious. l never was!"
And then she felt an indescribable
longing for her mother, for the past
for the peace Of her youth. In the
midst Of ali this laughing and talking
and mcrriment she could see herself
entering that coy room at home to
take refuge in her mothers arms, cry,
ing: Mother, here | am come back
to you again."
'Leonie will like this" said {. voice
in her ear, and Maiberg smilingly
held out droll little rubber doll
which the Christmas angel had Just
put into his hand.
Leonie! Her title child! The spell
was broken; she looked gratefully at
the speaker.
THAT is right" he sad, praising
her, What did you get?"
And they both looked down at a
little ivory spinning wheel anu read
the inscription on the card:
"a wife who knows how to cook and
spin
Will make her husband the happiest
of men"
Ante smiled; it was the Baron
ess' handwriting, and Ante knew
her opinion of the housewife fad" as
she called it.
The gayety Of the company had
been stimulated by the champagne.
Maiberg stood and sat beside Ante
as if mounting guard over her. Leo
Jussnitz had received a doll dressed
as a Spaniard, accompanied by q
malicious verse which he tore up. Pre-
sently he approached his wife.
Excuse me, Antie," he said, taking
Maiberg by the arm. When he was
out of hearing, he said: Pray do not
keep forever by the side of my wife.
o. she will never learn self-reliance
And, besides, the Baroness is mali.
cious.
81 cannot see how your wife and
can arouse her malice"
Il just heard her-bUt no matter:
Besides, the Baroness is in a fright
full temper; she just now insisted
that | should exhibit my picture of
the Spanish girl here this evening
Who on earth can have put that into
her head?"
Send for it, them replied the
doctor, carelessly. Leo's face flushed
crimson. Il will not"
But why should you be so mysteri-
Gus about your work?" inquired Mai
berg This morning you were almost
angry with your wife and me because
we came to your studio, and would
have been quite angry if we had found
the young girl upstairs with you"
II never like to be disturbed, least
of all by Antje.''
HIM"
WHAT"
81 only thought say, Leo, who is
this pretty grip"
"a fellOw-cOuntrywo OF mine
from Altwedel, the daughter of one of
our neighbors. | knew her when she
was four years old. She is pretty,
certainly, or I should ont be painting
her"
'Your wife and she both looked as
if they had never heard of one an
other"
ct is not necessary that they
should. l am painting the girl, and
that is all there is about it.
Leo" whispered Maiberg, drawing
his reluctant friend into the embras-
ure of window, take this as it is
meant, as the warning of true friend
don't begin another romance ike that
early one!"
''What do you mean?" flashed out
JussnitZ.
Tell me, Leo, does that little girl
| know that you are married."
| To be continued.