Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-04-08


"Wollmeyer, what has possessed
your" asked the old cousins tremb-
ling voice. when have | ever talked
against you? l have been silent. al
ways silent, you know that better
than any other"
81 do not need your silence!" he
cried, returning, "do you understand
We'll" the cousin interrupted,
chow can do mischief here? In all
my life have never been accused of
that. But 1 can go, tomorrow I can
go; I will go. You are quite right,
Wollmeyer, it is better So" She
passed the back of her hand over her
brow, and with Trembling fingers began
to gather up her few paltry me
mentos."
Tell me, Anneliese, have ever put
you up?" she asked, thinking he had
left the room.
Certainly mott" I cried. scarcely
able to control myself. Moreover, |
never allow myself to be put up. | do
what I think right" l clinched my
fists and looked at the man with
udDIGQ III lily eyes, W1111O liz AOIOA AAOA
my glance, and shrugged his shoulders
with the sense of his superiority
81 shall expect you upstairs in five
minutes; Brankwitz desires to play a
duet with you"
l made no reply.
Then the cousin again called the
man back from the door. care you
angry about Brankwitz, Wollmeyer?
All, good God, and were / now to be
standing before the jury in the court
room, could but repeat what l said to
Anneliese's mother this morning, that
he is nothing but sluggard, who
squanders his money prodigally, the
money which his father accumulated
so miserly, and that his sister is no fit
associate for your wife, to say nothing
Of Anneliese. I repeat this once more
before Anneliese, because am obliged
TO go away, and because I want her to
know what I think Of the guests up
stairs Well, tomorrow will start in
good season, Wollmeyer, you may de-
bend upon it,"
She seized nv arm. GO upstairs.
low, Anneliese, your mother is await
ng you. You need have no fear-go
Il have a word to say to him." She
pushed me past my mothers husband,
,losed the door behind me. and re-
NAMED alone with him.
Trembling with agitation, leaned
against one of the cupboards in the
next room. Very soon a terrible
storm would bust in the other apart
mentl In mortal terror waited IN
order to go to the old lady's assis,
lance, but all was still; she spoke in
her usual tone and said little There
upon ] gathered up my courage and as
cended the stairs. Arrived there |
seated myself mechanically beside
Brankwitz and played, while possessed
by the anticipation of an enigmatical,
dark future. What did it all mean?
What meant to me the cousins oft
repeated prejudices against Drank
WITT? What had taken place that
morning between Herr Wollmeyer,
his cousin and my mother?
Wollmeyer came up, tapped me on
the shoulder. alluded to me as a, little
runaway" held up to me Frau Sell
mann as a model. recommended to her
the tanning of the little daughter
reared in such freedom. and handed
the delighted Countess a package for
her Christmas-box If stranger
could have obtained a glimpse into
this coy room, in which stylish wo-
men and men we're seated together
chatting over their Mocha and Tur-
Eish cigarettes am which was filled
nth blue rings of smoke. whosoever
>uld have seen mamma in her chair
81 daughter upon an ottoman at her
ct, whatsoever could have heard the
ords of the host. who addressed her
dear Helene" and darling" he
ould have thought: how enviable,
ow happy are all these people!
That night when went downstairs
found the cousin in the midst OF
chests and boxes, packing her effects,
her old, wrinkled face looked strange
~ worn. Dear, kind cousin!" said
with tearful eyes.
''I have been with him twenty-five
years in sorrow and 'oy," she replied,
chiefly sorrow has it been. 1t is hard
for me. But he is right, to be sure he
is right"
Cousin what shall l do without
your" I stammere'. for my rising
Gears were choking r e.
"Anneliese, you should not ask
that," she evaded obesity and with
emotion. "You have your mother,
and you are fine dy, while I am a
stupid old person. Tut it pleases me,
nevertheless, and love you, Amen
ese, very dearly; I'd you are at Il
'oss as to where to turn. then come 10
ne: it is not so far. Do not be vexed
with me, but let me beg of you to live
more peaceably with him than you
ave done hitherto for your mothers
AXE; it cannot be helped. Only if he
if he wishes you to accept attention
rom Brankwitz, resist him; it would
ut cause suffering and misery! No,
OH muSt NOT do thaff''