Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-10-10
Continued.

The tail, rather stout woman
glanced at the clock-it was half-past
! three. Yes, child; the older one
grows the less sleep one needs.
was looking through the accounts, as
you asked me to do, and l did not
notice how the time was going. But
what do you want, Antje?"
| The daughters face grew a shade
| paler. I wanted to ask you-you
are used to it, mother, dear-children
are always wanting something from
! their mothers, aren't they?" She
tried to speak unconcernedly, but she
| put her hand to her throat once or
| twice, as if something were choking
her. L wanted to ask you if you
could give me four hundred marks.
Leo has-LeO wants it at once. and
You know, mother, dear, it is near
the end Of the quarter, and 1 haven t
got so much"
Her arms had fallen to her side and
her head was dropping. She looked
like child who was asking for some
favor that she knew was too great
to be granted
Does Leo want the money this
minute?"
Yes"
But, for Heavens sake, what for p"
inquired her mother.
They have been playing little
just for sport, mother-Leo does not
care for it but the Baroness is so
fond of it, and now--Leo has lost
Frau Bergrath Frey went to the
bureau beneath the looking-glass
without another word and took out
four bank-notes
Here. Antje," she said, huskily.
"Ah, mother, dear, do not be
angry"
go now, child, and go to bed
Dearest mother"
II am tired to death, Antje,"
The young wife kissed her mother
and went away with the money.
Her mother stood motionless, with
her hands clasped, and looked after
her.
"Merciful God" she said at length;
then she sat down in the armchair
before her bed, and the tall, powerful
woman seemed sinking under the
weight Of heavy burden.
IF Frey had lived to see this.
How his prophecies are all coming
true, each one, step by step, in fright
full earnest" she murmured. And
again she clasped her hands. She
saw her daughter smile, that sad,
weary smile, that she had never seen
in her before. ooh, if she had only
married Ferdinand, if she had only
listened to us! But-of what use is
it to complain now? Help me, o God!
Do not crush the child-she is all I
have!" she prayed, and the tears
rolled down her cheeks. But as
laughter and the sounds Of voices ex-
changing good-nights came up from
the court below, mingled with the
jingling Of sleigh-bells, she loosed her
clasped hands and clenched her right
hand involuntarily. ''But am still to
the FORE" she murmured. ''DG not
fear, Ante, you have a mother still,
and he shall bend or break"
CHAPTER W..
The next morning Ante was stand
ing in the nursery with DR.. Maiberg,
beside her childs bed. The child
was rather feyerish, and she had
begged her guest to come and see if
was anything serious.
He treasured her. and, delighted
with the pretty, golden-haired little
creature, he sat down by the bed and
began to play with it; as he did Sc he
looked at his hostess with some con-
Germ. Antje felt very wretched; she
had unnaturally red cheeks, and her
eyes were dim and red with crying.
''Is Leo going to his studio today?"
inquired the young doctor.
''He has not said anything to me
about it, but I think he will stay at
home today-on your account, doctor
-you--''
ooh, he must not do that" said
Wolf Maiberg; his business must
not suffer because l am here, or I
should feel obliged to pack my trunk
and go away at once
"Oh, one day, more or less" she
replied, absently. "It would even 10
Leo good-ne has looked so i'll lately;
have you not noticed it?"
But she did not look at him as she
spoke; her eyes were turned anxious
ly toward the door, which was hung
with portiere, embroidered with all
manner of droll figures-birds, cats,
dolls, dishes, and so forth. Maiberg
heard voices in the next room; he
recognized Leo's voice in short SEN
fences, but the prevailing sound was
that of a woman's voice, a wonder
fully deep voice. speaking slowly and
emphatically. He could not hear any
words; Ante need not have been SO
careful to pull the curtain together
with her trembling hand.
did Leo paint this frieze?" in
quired the guest, pointing upward,
where below the gilded ceiling a
broad light blue strip ran round the
room, against which were painted
charming groups of playing children
"Ah, no." replied Ante; the only
designed it, And she listened again
to the voices in the next room.
Leo's voice had now grown louder.
'FPapa-cross asked the child with
an anxious look, as Maiberg got up TO
leave the room. But while he was
still striking the baby's head, the
| woman's voice spoke so loud and en-
phatically that every word could be