Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-06-17
CHAPTER XVIII.

and with us STREAMS VI ilSAlC, "iAAOA
pierced the tiniest nook, melted all
the fairy-like charm Cousin looked
years older in the bright morning
light. She had come into my room
and with sorrowful eyes watched nae
do up the box or roses from Cannes
and address them to my step-father.
was very sad; had just unpacked
mammals box and had taken from It,
{. besides a very cold letter, few
trihing gifts, things such as one gives
when to give is bother, when one
irritably selects the first best thing and
gives it. Firstly, leather case with
sewing materials. such as one sees
by The dozen in show-shops; secondly,
a diary bound in red leather; thirdly,
kid gloves, of no use where | was;
then a framed cabinet photograph of
the old Emperor, bending over the
cradle of his grandchild; little candy
and some pink note-paper with blue
violet in the corner
Formerly mama did not make such
gifts. The trifles she gave were al
ways chosen with such tender love.
Last year she gave me papa's tiny
iron cross which he was in the habit
of wearing in his buttonhole when he
wore a civilians dress. Moved to
tears. hung it on my watch-chain and
was so happy over it. One single
such proof that she yet loved me, and
would have been delighted today,
but she had something else to think
of. My step-father wrote to me! His
Christmas gift awaited me at home;
mamma already longed for me and he
would fetch me himself the first part
of January.
"Unpleasantness will follow this,
Anneliese," said cousin, as she carried
the box down in order to give it to
Herr Hubner. And when she re-
turned, she repeated: Unpleasant
ness will follow. when he opens the
box. What will come of it yet!
Imagined it all so different. I can
not feel any pleasure in the boy, An
neliese; the best thing would be if we
lay over there beneath the white
snow"
Directly after the meat the "boy''
up at him proudly and nodding her
head. 'sYou have grown to be a fine
fellow, Robert" said she with adj
miration.
He had been to early church and
apologized to cousin; ''she is not saccus-
toned to sitting UP late; we read a
sermon to ourselves"
after service I went to the pastors
and to the school. 1t is all at it once
was and yet it is all different. cousin.
Then wandered beside the mill-brook
and made the acquaintance of mill
hand Great improvements have been
made, and a business built up; the
Gour goes even into Posen, he told me.
By-the-bye," he continued, today is a
day created for walking. What do
you say, cousin?"
''Ah, Robert, with my old legs! You
would soon grow impatient. But An
neliese-eh, Frau1ein Anneliese, You
would enjoy it?" she turned to me.
He looked at me inquiringly; he was
sitting by the window and the sun
shone upon his brown curly head, and
his teeth cleaned beneath his
moustache as he smiled. "You are
good pedestrian, Fraulein Won Stern
berg but will it give you any pleas
ure to traverse the forest-paths with
such stranger? The snow is deep
and it is a good hours walk to the
cottage in tho Heimbach valley"
81 do not fear snow and long dis
tances," said I, Fand I am pleased to
learn of new walks" With these
words left che room in order to dress
for the stroll.
So upon this day and the next and
the next we walked together, not re-
turning until dusk. Cousin allowed us
10 take our strolls together, the dear
soul had no suspicion of what the
world requires of chaperone; she
eagerly urged us to avail ourselves of
the fine weather for excursions. Mean
while size sat at the window and read
or spun, and WELDON ed us with hot
tea and kindly words. Then Robert
remained to supper, to which cousin
invited him, and we played at check
ers, or a simple game of cards with
&he old lady, for nuts like the children.
learnt to know all his favorite
walks, and as we sauntered along he
told be about Chicago, about the great
undertaking his father had estab-
Tished, and which was now in the
hands of an excellent business man.
ager, so that he could remain away
without any anxiety. Once we became
as joyous as children and pelted each
other with snow-balls, and another
time I sat like child in the hand
sleigh and allowed him to draw me
Not for an instant did have the feel
ing that was doing something that
would be considered a social impro
priety. l felt as if I were by the side
Of brother Or cousin, next some one
whom | could trust as I would myself
Cousin looked inquiringly into oul
laughing eyes when we returned, anC
When we chatted on and TESTED, she