Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-06-10
; FOR ANOTHER'S FAULT. j
w. Hein1Durg. ii
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w. Hein1Durg.
CHAPTER XVII.


enwald I rushed from the sleigh and
across the court to the castle, SO
rapidly that I almost knocked down
Frau Hubner, who was carrying a
large board of luscious rolls.
Heavens! are the wolves behind
you. Fraulein Won Sternberg?" she re
proved with a smile. "You stayed SO
long that cousin is wandering uneasily
from one room to another.
[ scarcely heard her words, for |
FASTENED up the stairs as If | were IN
deed being hunted. Then I paused TO
quiet the pulsations of my heart and
to get control of my breath. In what
way should | prepare her? My diplo-
matics ability forsook me, and to con-
trive Christmas story was an i'm
possibility, it all seemed to me so IN
credible, so miraculous. Had he only
come with me at once!
However | took heart and entered.
che faithful old soul sat idly by the
stove-the spinning-wheel could not
be touched today-her eyes were too
infiamed from weeping.
"have you come at last? You went
away at one o'clock, and nowit is al
most six. have been greatly
worried"
Cousin, did you think had run
ava, p. cried |, Laughing.
"Ah, what might not one expect OF
your" she chided. Ceases and pack
ages, four of them, have arrived, and
have trimmed up small tree and
opened the cases, you need but to I'M
pack them. 1t is all in there, but
before I light the Christmas candles,
YOU must drink cup of tea"
"Ah, cousin" l articulated with
difficulty, pressing her hand SO that
her face contracted with pain, "ah,
cousin, do not be angry, / only went
out to get a Christmas present for
you"
Lord, what thing!" said she,.
shat it not right of you. Have you
any money, Fraulien Anneliese?' she
added, as if in Albright.
Twenty pence, cousin! But you
see, thank God, l did not have to lay
out any money for my Christmas-box,
and yet it is the most cherished wish
of your heart. If you please, no cake
now, afterwards, later OIL cannot
eat now. Later dear cousin! But
now guess-I found something on the
high-road and I picked it up, or rather
it picked me up, or l would not be
here yet, and that you shall have.
Can you not guess it now"
The old lady pushed back her
lpectacles, which she still wore, and
cast as anxious glance at me, for I
had flung my fur cap, jacket and
galoshes upon a chair and was fairly
dancing with excitement Some
thing you always looked upon as i'm
possible, although it is your hearts
wish, cousin" / continued, some
thing alive-it is so big!" I stood
upon tip-toe and raised my arm.
She simply cast upon me panied,
reproachfuI glance. 'tAh, Anneliese,
do not make fun of me-
fe upon her neck. MAY God be
my witness, dearest cousin, l am GER
tainly not jesting!"
Then she pushed me from her with
18th hands and looked into my eyes,
oeathly pale. "Anneliese!"
Cousin"
She CROPPED for the nearest chair.
at is not true! What mean, you do
not-on, no, it is not true, it is not
possible!"
"But it isl" burst forth, "but it is
your Robert Then | ceased,
for the aged form sank, as if crushed,
into a chair, and two trembling hands
were extended to me.
ST will not survive it, if it is not
true!" sobbed she. "Anneliese, ah,
dear Fraulein Anneliese!"
1 had difficulty in soothing her, for
Nhe wept and wept, quietly shaking
1er head slowly as she did so. She
was still weeping when there was
knock, and I ran out of the other
door, 1 did not want to be in the way;
heard but the sound of his voice:
Thank God, cousin! My dear, old"
Then they embraced, and speech was
silenced in the kiss which his lips
pressed upon her fearful eyes.
sat in my room without stirring.
A lamp burned upon the chest Of
drawers, upon the table stood the four
boxes with the Christmas gifts and
cousins little tree laden with orna-
ments. 1 did not suspect what had
entered my life with the tall hand
some soldiers appearance, l only felt.
so happy; his handsome face, his
frank manner pleased>me so well. and,
as a soldiers daughter I was delighted
that he had come home to fulfil his
military duties. How did Brankwitz
compare with him, thought |, adding,
"Monster!" What would Wollmeyer
say on learning that Robert Nord-
mann-ah, then there again was the
secret hidden from me! The veil of
the past hid some guilt. And Robert
NOrdmann's father and mother were
In some way connected with it. All,
his father, he was punished, he