Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-08-29
Continued.
By W. HEIMBURG.

or out or the town.!
Out of town"
"Oh, think | should prefer the city
itself. Is your studio pretty? May
see it,"
Something like shadow came over
his face.
"Of course You may see it, and
very often, | hope. Perhaps you will
put up with me for a teacher till you
find a better one?"
She put down her knife and fork
and stretched out her hand to him
across the table.
How very kind you are! But I
paint landscapesi"
so do I. occasionally. Besides, l
only said till you find better one
And then there is something I should
LIKE should like to paint you,
Fraulein Hilda. | may say Hilda for
old acquaintance sake?"
"Of course! And do you know that
/ remember you very distinctly now?
You used to be always lying in wait
for Tony I used to sit with my
sisters on the doorstep, and you al
ways looked up and bowed to Tony
when she stood at the window"
But you know" he said, as if in
excuse, my way led me past your
house, and as her partner at dancing
school it was my duty to bow"
ooh, yes, to be sure" She laughed
again. "And you wish to paint me-"
There was a scarcely suppressed tone
of delight in her voice.
'If you will allow it"
"Why not?"
''But you must permit me to send
the picture to the Exposition" he add
ed hastily.
She blushed with pleasure.
"Really?" she said.
do you dislike it?'
mo, indeed! Why should |?
People can look at me in the street"
Every well. l will come to your
aunt's in a day or two"
Hilda had finished her supper.
What shall we do now?" she in
quired, as she stood up before the
glass to put on her hat with its
crushed ostrich feather, which, never
theless, was very becoming to her.
eve can 60 and look in at the shop
windows, if you are not too tired"
No, she was not too tired; far from
it! She put on her black wooden
gloves, from which rosy finger-tip
peeped out here and there, and
allowed Herr Jussnitz to help her On
with her close-ftting jacket of cheap
rough cloth, which. as it was new. did
not look so badly, and took up her
muff, 1t was of black catskin, or of
colored rabbit. Then she declared
herself ready.
They took the horse-car to the Post
platz, and then made their way
through the crowd of people to the
brilliantly lighted sidewalk. He
never seemed tired of standing with
her before the shop windows, each
one of which put her into ecstasies of
delight. She had never seen so large
city before. In front of a jewellers
window in which were flashing jewels
of all colors, she became fairly
speechless. She stood with wide-open
eyes and parted lips. 1t seemed to
Jussnitz as if look of longing came
over the lovely childish face.
What would a thing like that
COST" she inquired at length, spoint-
ing to a small brooch of diamonds.
ooh, couple of thousand marks!"
he replied.
1.-TWO thousand marks? Oh. impos-
sible!''
That was more than her fathers
whole income, on which a large family
had to live.
But tell me-" she continued. as
they walked on again, "how much
does one get for picture when one is
celebrated?"
He smiled little, her eyes looked
so feverishly eager.
when one is celebrated, he can
get his own price, Fraulein Hilda."
More than such a brooch costs,
much more?" she inquired.
ooh, yes!"
She gave . deep sigh.
Now I must take you home" he
began, after long silence. He felt
suddenly in hurry.
She followed him without word to
the nearest droschky, and they drove
back in silence to her aunt's little
house.
Il will wait with the woman; it is
still all dark upstairs" said Hilda.
Thank you so much, Herr Jussnitz
and-please, please"
He was standing with his hat in
his hand, beside her, in front Of the
grocer's shop.
Command me in anything, Fraulein
Hilda''
please, please do not forget your
promise. and come to use me for the
for the lessons"
81 will come in three days"
He felt grateful pressure of the
little hand and she disappeared in the
doorway, and Jussnitz could see
through the window the stout womar
conducting the beautiful girl intt
the room behind the shop
The droschky was still waiting
"Drive to Z Strasse, No. 49," hi
called out; "but go fast, if you wan
to earn good pour boire'
The driver grumbled a little, 10
I Strasse was quite at the othel
end of the town. Then he gave a GU
at, his horse and they ratified away
In half an hour they got off the pave
ment. the scattered gas-lamps she,
their LIGHT on tho trooc of q o,1. !: