Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-09-19
By ". HEIMBURG.

reply. AS Tor me, IT is a perfec
delight to be able to breathe snow
air-German snowy air, once more
Leo.
And the mans broad breast ex
banded, he drew in such a long, full
breath. A shadow passed over hi.
handsome, strong face, the sunburneC
color of which contrasted strangely
with the light full beard and the
clear, gray-blue eyes, as Jussnitz
actually gave orders to have the car
riage closed.
ct is a pity" he said this wintry
landscape, the white roofs of che
villas in their snowy gardens make
such a pretty picture. You can't
| imagine, Leo, how delighted l was
when | saw the first flakes from the
window Of the train today. Such a
feeling Of having got home came over
me so powerfully that T.
"Oh, for Heavens sake, Wolf. you
will see plenty of snow now, and I
have no desire to get a cold in my
! head"
DR.. Maiberg, struck by the irritated
tone, looked penetratingly at his
friend, and noticed his sharpened
features, pale face, and dull eyes.
care you not well, Leo?" he asked,
| anXiously
"Oh, don't torment me with
questions like that, Wolf. I can't
possibly look as I did eight years
ago"
"Of course not, any more than I do
the years will write lines on our
faces. But still you might look well,
and that is not the case You loIk
nervous"
MY dear Wolf, you are on the look
out for patient" said Jussnitz, with
an angry laugh.
Heaven forbid! On the contrary,
| am glad for once not to hear any
complaints, but l am sorry not to
find you as we'll as I had hoped"
Il thought my last letter might
have" began Jussnitz
Eyes, to be sure-that letter.
quite up to the mark. Il was a jun
Bile of complaints and self-congratula-
tons, of good and bad-you were not
at your best when you wrote it, Leo
But just look, there is a wagon full of
Christmas trees" said Maiberg. sud
denly interrupting himself and point
ing with a smile to the cart which
drove by as fast as it's heavy burden
would allow, filling the air with
resinous odor of fir-trees.
They are all going to Santa Claus, ;
said Jussnitz. But don't get excited
Wolf; you shall have a Christmas
tree; only, for Heavens sake, don't
let us be sentimental"
q? l haven't the slightest leaning
in that direction, Leo. | was only
trying to avoid a sentimental con-
versation that seemed to have been
burning on your tongue ever since we
met. You are aching to free your
mind to me, old fellow, and I will not
give you a chance to do it. | would
rather see and judge for myself. /
am convinced that it is not half so
bad as you try to make out. You al
ways used to eXaggerate."
''You are still of the opinion, then,
that only that man is happy who be-
lieves himself to be SOP"
"Quite right, that is still my
opinion; for it is not the circumstance
itself. but only the way we take it,
that makes ell our trouble. Who is it
that has said the same thing? We'll,
no matter, it is true, at all events"
my mother-in-law is on a visit to
us now" said Jussnitz. laconically.
The other laughed heartily. "Ah,
there are vineyards, Leo, Have you
anything so delightful ON your placer"
eyes, there are vineyards belonging
to Sibyllenburg," replied Jussnitz.
Then you will offer me a draught
of wine from your own press at the
gate Of your castle, Leo?"
Unfortunately, I do not make my
own wine. I have let the vineyard
it is too heavy wine for me. 1t is a
pity, Wolf, for you would no doubt
take the Sibyllenburg wine for
genuine Rudesheimer or JOhannis-
berger, thanks to your gift for seeing,
tasting, and feeling things as you ex-
pect to find them"
'Now you seem to be recovering,
Leo, so tell me about your painting.
Have you finished your picture of the
beautiful Baroness?"
mo, have had something more
! important on hand, and she has been
away for long time, too"
More Important" inquired Wolf
Maiberg, STOPPING to pick up a small
packet that Jussnitz had pulled out
of his pocket as he took out his hand.
kerchief. The carelessly folded paper
! displayed a pale blue plush etui
which had sprung open and revealed
a glittering object, giving out all the
colors Of the rainbow. The young
doctor opened the case to its full
extent.
You see, Leo, curiosity is still my
great Weakness he said with a smile
as he examined the ornament II
was very small brooch in the shape
of clover-leaf, but the three stones
which composed it were exceedingly
costly-a ruby, diamond, and &
sapphire. Nevertheless, the little pin
had an air of simplicity; none but {
|. connoisseur would have understood
its real value
| Very pretty, Leo said Maiberg
rs that your wifes taste? A little
: brooch like that looks to me NOR,
, suited to young girl
Jussnitz took the etui and put i
back in his pocket 1T is tn
! fo Cbion Dpu-