Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-08-22

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these last few That time of youth
full gayety, of enthusiasm. of ambition.
and or mad pranks cane back TO him
with an alIuring charm.
Tony Won Zweidorf! There was a
sort of violet fragrance about the
memory of his first love, and the
gentle mood of that springtime of his
life came over him with renewed
force at this moment
His companion was charmed with
the river Elbe, with the many lights
that were reflected in the dark water,
with all the life and movement of the
great city. She had a hundred ques-
tons to ask to which he had to find
answers. When at length the streets
grew quieter and the lights farther
| apart she said in disappointed tone:
Il am afraid my aunt lives quite out
Of the world
At this moment the carriage stopped
at small house Of only two stories,
which looked like a dwarf among the
large buildings four and five stories
high. There was a shop on the ground
floor, which on nearer view proved
to be a grocer's, where vegetables,
eggs, butter, cheese, and pickles were
to be had and from which by no
means delightful odor streamed out
when Jussnitz opened the door to in
quire if Frau Secretary Berger lived
in this house.
An enormously stout woman, who
came out of a door so small that it
was hard to comprehend how she had
contrived to squeeze through, wiped
her hands on her apron, and said:
'You are the niece of Frau Berger,
] suppose? Eth, but I am sorry; she is
out to a tea-party, and l don't know
no more than baby where it is she's
gone to-"
Hilda Won Zweidorf laughed gayly.
What am l to do till she comes
back?" she cried.
Does my aunt generally get home
very late?"
"Generally about eleven, Fraulein.
You can stay mere with me if you like.
Or just you wait minute; sometimes
Frau Berger puts the key under the
mat before the door. I'll just slip up
and see."
The benevolent giantess disappear
ed and they could hear the stairs
creaking beneath her weight as she
toiled up and then after a while came
down again.
I'm awful sorry, it amt there; but
if you want to wait here. with me-
Perhaps you will look after the
Fraulein's trunk" Jussnitz interrupt
ed, an uncomfortable expression on
his face. "And in the meantime you
had better come with me, Fraulein
Won Zweidorf. You will want some
thing to eat, at any rate, and a walk
through the streets will be much better
than waiting here in this horrible
place"
This last he said in French, and she
replied in the same language, with a
faultless pronunciation:
''To be sure! The beginning of my
future does not seem to be very bril-
liant, does it? This is my first disap-
AuuIlS WIOIS ABOUT l0T
pleasant house in the suburbs. and |
pictured to myself an avenue of old
trees and garden in front. Oh, real
ity, how hateful thou art!'
She took the arm which he offered
her and walked away with him
through the streets.
For one moment he thought of going
to some fashionable restaurant, but
then he turned toward modest little
place in the Friedrichstadt; it was
quite empty. They sat down opposite
each other at the neat little table, and
at length were able to see each other
distinctly in the bright gas-light.
Hilda's beauty lost nothing as she
took off her hat and displayed her
beautiful forehead. 1t was evident
she was enjoying the situation.
To be continued.