Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-10-03

gayly as before. The Baroness
smoked cigarette in the circle OF
| her admirers: Ante talked with the
old painter about a copy of picture
by Vatican; he told her the original
was in PillnitZ; Lieutenant Osten oc-
cupied himself, with the aid of his
| host, in making those mysterious
signs on a great sheet of paper which
| are called building a temple" DR..
Maiberg came nearer, with look Of
surprise on his face.
What, Leo, game Of hazard?"
| ''It is very harmless, 1 assure you,
declared Lieutenant Won Osten. 1--WE
only play for nickels"
Leo looked up and saw that Ante
was just disappearing between the
portieres.
please, Wolf" he said hastily, ego
after her and tell her l beg she will
come back as soon as she can
Maiberg went out into the hall and
found his young hostess Just going up
| stairs.
Frau Jussnitz," he said, zone word,
! if YOU please
She rested both hands on the banis-
ter and bent down toward him. The
light from the chandelier made her
fair hair glisten like gold.
Leo begs you will not leave us to
ourselves too long" he said.
81 am coming back in moment
| she replied softly. Z" she hes
itated-'1 was only going to say good
night to my mother and look at the
baby moment" she added quickly.
He stepped back, and she went on
! upstairs. What soft, childish voice
she had,
And upstairs, by the bed of the
sleeping child, she seated herself at
the feet of a stately old lady and
nestled her head like tired child
against her mothers knee.
She did not speak even here: she
only stroked her mothers hands
those large white hands, which bore
such a character of energy-as if by
this caress she would make up to her
mother for all that had hurt her.
You have no idea," began Frau
Klaartjie Frey pleasantly, what
pleasure it has been to me to have
my little 'grandchild so all to myself
this evening. 1 told her stories and
sang songs to her, as l used to do TO
you; it was so delightful, Antje."
The daughter pressed a kiss on the
fingers she held in hers. She knew
very we'll that her mother only said
this to put out Of her mind any sus-
picion that her remaining upstairs
was not done of her own free will
as if Antje had not seen the old lady
take her gray silk dress out of the
wardrobe in the afternoon and get her
diamond pin out of it's case to adorn
herself for the guests Of the house.
Il don't see how you bear it. child"
continued her mother 'T never could
endure parties like this, and l was
very glad that, when I said l wished
it was all over, Leo said I must not
put any constraint upon myself
How this woman, who was truth
itself, could dissemble to spare her
child,
Still Antje did not speak. She got
up ct length, Il must go back" she
said, with averted face.
Il hope you will sleep well. dear,
and enjoy yourself" her mother called
after her. Il am going to bed, for
am tired"
This, too, was untrue. A light
burned in the bedroom of Frau Klara
Fly till far into the night; she her
self sat before a table in her fur-lined
dressing-gown, with heap of papers
before her. At this moment there
was no longer that expression of
kindness she had shown her daugh-
ter on her full face with it's Dutch
features. 1t now wore a look of deep
| anxiety and disgust, and when she
had added up several columns Of
figures on a bit of paper, she laid
aside her pencil, folded her hands.
and gazed with a startled expression
| at the very considerable amount
| "Merciful Heavens" she murmured.
quite overcome.
| After while she rose YEARLY and
with difficulty. The hands which lift
| ed the lace cap from the light hair,
through which ran an occasional
silver thread, shook, and a deep sigh
echoed through the quiet room.
eff she were only happy. at least,
| But this must not go on she said
after a while; cit will never do"
| She started suddenly. She had
heard no step. had not heard the door
open-and yet there stood Antje, still
in full toilet, but pale and worn, look
| ing in astonis hment at her mother.
Are you still up, mother?" she said
at length.
To be Continued.