Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-07-01
Continued.

morning my do0r-bell rang and I'M
mediateIy thereafter Josephine rushed
into my room, almost speeches. with
delight. Behind her, with his usual
good-natured laugh, came my nephew,
or my so-called nephew You remem-
Der him; he was here when an ensign.
and took you for a ride on the merry
go-around Lord, one cannot easily
forget such big fellow! To be sure
you were little chicken at that time.
He is now the head of the Dragon
Guards, a fine picture of a man. HIM!
I was saying, we were sitting at des-
sert, he was pairing an apple, that was
always his forte, and we were talking
of relationships, when you occurred to
me-you have, too, a share of my
heart, you naughty little good-for
nothing! See here, Fritz said
Ibis name is Frederick Diet
rich, but he is called Fritz
iDetz-'do you not happen to
Friedrich Dietrich, but he is called
Fritz Dietz-'do you not happen to
know Herr Won BrankwitZ in Ber
lin? I know, Berlin is a large city
but he must mix in sporting circles,
for he knows all the cant phrases
At this his round frank face fell, his
brows contracted and his moustache
bristled, just like my dogs hair when
he is angry. 'Brankwitz? Certainly
know the fellow, he is the meanest
necktie manufacturer in Berlin
"'Well, well,' said /, then we prob
ably do not mean the same person. I
know of no other; I wish they had
stopped his proceeding in the bust
ness he scolded I believe, this one
has an abundance of money, wants to
buy Dammit and to marry Anneliese
Sternberg.' rs that SOP said he, then
it may be some one else, for if it be
not, this Anneliese had better drown
herself at once!' Then we dropped
the subject; it is not possible that it is
he whom we both know. But occasion
ally, you see, child, on thinking it
over experience such an oppression.
Do not let them outwit you, for Gods
sake! But one thing 1 do say, not
withstanding all this, I shall never in
terfere again.
"Rest easy, aunt, I shall not bother
you again; besides believe as you do
that it must be another"
"Probably-but sometimes one
fancies things. Goodnight, child! If
you have the leisure, which you will
scarcely have, come and see me. Your
step-father seems to want to turn
Westenberg topsy-turvy, and I only
hope that all the preparations will not
be made in vain"
looked at her inquiringly.
The Countess's old face wore an in
expressibly droll smile 'He hopes for
a decoration: some one, the Counsellor
of Administration says, has suggested
him. Well, I, for my part, do not
grudge him the red eagle or the coro-
net; he deserves it if only for the sake
Of my Christmas children. Goodnight,
little one-every animal has it's pleas
ure."
Not a suspicion in the minds of all
these people of approaching storm!
Whence should it have arisen?
The next morning Herr Wo1Imeyer
appeared in my room. He was in a
very jocose mood. asked how I had
liked it up in the mountains, address
ed several pleasant words to cousin
asked her if she was glad to come
Back. and said he was pleased to know
that in the days to come there would
be a sensible person in the house
again, Gin short we will bear with
each other, old lady-eh?"
She looked at him in mysterious
way, like sphinx, and I was inspired
with something like fear of the simple
woman.
GAS far as l am concerned-but
do not hold the rudder in my hands,"
she replied solemnIy.
"You old toad, I know, too, thai q
higher power guides all things" he
laughed. "Out with it, what did you
do up there the livelong day? If I
had listened to Brankwitz I would
have released you at Christmas, but
punishment has to be inflicted, said I
to Helene" Again he laughed
jovially.
cit would have been a pity" return
ed cousin calmly, and by her ashen
hue one could detect her strong, in
ward emotion, cit would have been
pity, for we had such a pleasant
Christmas"
Her tone struck him; he stared at
her sharply.
'T never dreamed that 1 would live
to have the pleasure" she continued
brushing few crumbs off the break.
fast-table with a trembling hand, 81
only wish Hannchen could have lived
to see Robert return
He sprang up, now just as pallid as
the old lady.
"Robert?" he asked, "Ah-there-
fore!"
Robert Nordmann," she nodded.
He shrugged his shoulders and tried
to assume an Indifferent air, although
in his eyes was a startled look called
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