Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-04-22
CHAPTER XII.

ended very Sadly, O4u N1Joh FOA 80
len was stricken with paralysis. Just
as the Countess and I were descending
the stairs to go home, we heard doors
opening and shutting and exciama-
tions Of fear, the old lady turned back
anon the threshold to offer her assls-
lance to Frau Won TOllen. For an
instant I stood in the snowy street
considering. Why should not go
home alone? was so glad to escape
the tumult, besides the sight or the
male bride had moved me deeply, and
an the other hand, trembled at every
fresh attention from Herr Won Drank
vita continued struggle wearies.
AS well as 1 could 1 gathered up the
gown which had worn at mammals
wedding, and walked through the
streets. There was no light in Doctor
Schonberg's house, it nestled as dark
" beneath the tall trees as If it
harbored corpse, and | thought |
knew, too, what one. A great, great
Happiness had died therein.
Poor Lore! False Lore! How could
she-yes how could she! II causes
could suddenly have assumed human
forms, what bridal escort would many
a girl many woman have? What,
for example, would mamma have mad?
A pale, miserable shadow would nave
walked by her side-Necessity. Be
side how few walks beautiful, bloom
ing, rose-garlanded Love! Lore Won
Tollen had not married for love.
Otherwise she would not have looked
thus-so rigid and pallid; the twin
sisters, inordinate, longing for enjoy
ment and selfishness, had surely not
attracted her towards this unpleasant
parsonage. Perhaps in this case like
wise it was necessity! The Coun-
tess at the table had talked so affably
with Lore's father and had several
times glanced sympathetically at Lieu
tenant Won Tollen, the brides young
est brother, who was designated by
he as the Tollen's family grey
hound" Yes, who knows-who
knows what means fate employs to
force a penniless girl to go the way
she does not wish to!
While these sad thoughts were oc-
eupying my mind [ had walked rapid
Iy on and turned into Church street,
which ran between the wall Of the
garden and st. Mary's church, and
which was narrow, dark and deserted;
but it shortened my way considerably,
and I was not afraid. Suddenly |
heard steps behind me, hurried steps.
more like some one running then an
almost breathless voice cried: why,
my dear young lady, how could you?
You cannot go alOne!"
Involuntarily | FASTENED on, but of
course Brankwitz caught up with me,
and coming close to my side, he at
tempted to draw my arm through his,
which effort I theoretically resisted.
Then, just at the darkest spot in the
street, he detained me, by holding my
coat fast, and thrusting his face as
near mine as possible, so near that
I could feel his hot breath. he asked
almost inaudibly: "Anneliese, my
wild, sweet Anneliese. why do you
torment me sO-why?"
"Herrvon Brankwitz!" said I loudly,
Juggling at my cloak, but unsuccess-
fully.
"Give me but few minutes" he
besought. "You must know, you
Elust feel how dearly 1 love you,
Anneliese! You must not deprive me
of all hope. Can you not return my
love little it? Oh, | will be con-
tented with that, I will be happy"
1r1yo T ct Of NIX NIL a
I can never love you. do not therefore
let us speak of it again. l do not
like such nonsense. You forget whom
you have before you!"
AS spoke attempted to proceed as
quickly as possible, for I was tremb-
ling with anxiety; I thought he was in
toxicated and might press his suit
still further
81 cannot understand how you can
talk such nonsense. You wound me,
Anneliesew
At this junction l reached the court
yard gate, opened the smaller one,
che larger ones were already locked,
and slipped in. "You had better see
to your sister," | called to him.
one ms remained USul1u III IIlC COH-
fusion, there is no carriage for her
how is she to get homer" There
upon ran across the court, and once
within the house. I speedily reached
my door AS I stood in the dark
room, my hand pressed to my breast,
felt like game which has been hunted
and has at last found safe covert
from the pack of hounds.
Slowly I went from one door to the
other and turned the keys. then |
closed the heavy oak shutters, and
then only did 1 yield to my indigna
ton at this insolent suit. I sat by
the window and did not know what to
do. For a long time l pondered, with
difficulty controlling my agitated
thoughts. Should I tell mamma all?
But had she yet will of her own?
doubted it. All that I knew of her
will, the acknowledgment of his
opinion. It I had but known what