Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-11-07

0hS uiuohcu cliiuSOH at the very
/, thought; her hands shook and her
heart throbbed as if she had been
caught committing a crime.
Il wanted to hear, Frau Ante"
said Maiherg's voice close behind
her: Il have never had chance be.
fore to ask you what Leo said about
the sale of his picture"
She looked up at him in surprise.
Has he heard of it yet?"
''Oh yes, this morning"
| Antje felt her heart stand still for
moment, and her eyes grew large
and fixed
He did not mention it to me-
came hoarsely from her lips
Maiberg hated himself for having
asked the question. He was the
picture of confusion as he stood be.
fore the young WIFE,
"Oh, he will be sure to tell YOU" he
forced himself to say in playful
tone; perhaps he wishes to surprise
you with the news. But there is the
bell; the tree must be ready. It is
such curious idea to collect mis-
cellaneous herd of people around on
such night. l looked forward to
such a very different Christmas"
She made no reply. She had re-
sumed the air of an automaton as
she walked beside him to the great
| salon, where brilliant tree sparkled.
| 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 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.
A 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-nothing / do not possess
his confidence. l am nothing to him
now, neutrality-suspicious. / never was!"
longing for her mother, for the past,
for the peace of her youth. In the
midst OF all this laughing and talking
and merriment 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 said, 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
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 Antje
as If mounting guard over her. Leo
JussnitZ had received doll dressed
as a Spaniard, accompanied by
malicious verse which he tore up. Pre-
sently he approached his wife.
Excuse me, Ante" 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"
II 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. Leos face flushed
crimson. 81 will not"
"But why should you be so myster-
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"
Il never like TO be disturbed, least
of all by Ante"
HIM"
"What?"
Il only thought say, Leo, who is
this pretty girl?"
"A fellow-countrywoman of mine
from Altwedel, the daughter of one of
our neighbors. knew her when she
wss four years old. She is pretty
certainly, or I should ont be painting
her"
'Your wife and she both looked as
il they had never heard of one an