Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-11-28


When the young wife presented
herself at the young girls door, It
was opened, and Frau Polly slipped
in.
It was a very pleasant room which
had been assigned TO Hildegarde.
Hung entirely with gay cretonne, il
! formed a sort Of tent; the bed, sofa
and Chairs We're covered with {.
SIMILAR stuff. A soft, fowery carpet
covered the floor, and a rockiRg-chair
was still in motion in front Of tile
tall mirror which reached 70 the
floor. In the elegant fireplace a
bright fire was burning.
rs it really your" escaped Aunt
Polly's lips, when she had closed tbs
door behind her; and she looked in
amazement at the slender, beautiful
girl, who, in lose, pale pink morn
ing-dress belonging to Antje-the
same which the young wife had once
ordered to surprise her husband Gu
their wedding, and which she hal
never worn-looked so wonderfully
handsome, and as if the tasteful
gown had been made. expressly for
her.
Hildegarde stood there with All
inscrutable face, her lips pressed
tightly together But Aunt Polly
had long since forgotten that she had
ever been angry. She only remem-
bered that the chiJd's beautiful future
had suddenly come to naught.
''You poor thing" she said, com
passionately, while the tears stream
ed from her eyes, IF I had only
known before what I know now, you
would not have heard q single cross
word from me. Forget it all, my
Hilda, and come home with me; yon
cannot stay here!'
But Hilda was not one Of those
persons who easily forget an insult,
nor did she fad it any easier to bear
commiseration.
Il shall stay here. aunt" she said,
coldly, land when my portrait is
finished, I shall probeEly 60"
She stopped, ard twisted the pink
ribbons Of her dress about her finger
in some confusion.
"Hilda, what will you do here
Let the picture go, let him finish it
as best he may. Why should you
make such trouble for yourself? 1t
cuts me to the heart when [ look. at
you; it is such a horrible shame THAI
he should not have told you that he
was married. Come, Hilda, this is
no place for you
Il don't know what you mean.
aunt" replied her youthful niece,
very slowly. Her pale lips scarcely
moved II
"Hflda, suppose it were your father
urging you. You could not refuse
him? Be frank with me-you love
this man; can you deny it? Good
Heavens, child, don't shake your
head; every feature in your face.
every step you took, has BETRAYED il |
all this time! I beg of you child.
come home with me; you ought MOI
to stay here"
nave never thought of him |
said Hilda. in the same slow manner,
and she turned away and walked to
the window.
''Hilda, that is not true!" said Frau
Berger, firmly, and her face wore an
air Of solemnity; sit is not true!
You love him, and he loves you! L
am an old woman, and I know how
things go in this world. But you will
be committing a frightful sin if you
stay here, a sin against yourself.
against him, and against his wife and
her child. Only consider, for
Heavens sake, what will come of ito
Il forbid you to say such things to
met" cried Hilda, crimson with anger,
and stamping her foot on the carpet.
Must you needs drag everything
down into the mire? Can there be nc
relations in the world between two
persons that are left unstained by
vile thoughts? 1t is quite true that
am fond Of my teacher, and as GER
tain that he thinks a good deal Of me;
but is that wicked? I forbid you to
put vile construction upon it,"
To be continued.