Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-09-19
Continued.

until he turned to her directly anC
asked if It would suit her to begin he.
lessons the next day, and if she coulC
give him her first sitting the daJ
after, that the color began to come
back into her face.
Yes" she said softly; and she
added: In what dress will you paint
me?''
In what could I paint you but q
Spanish mantilla?" he said, lookine
a her with undisguised admiration
But you must look as you do today
go pale and so angry and" Sc
beautiful, he was going to say, but he
choked back the last words.
She made no reply. Aunt Polly
was also silent and dared not make
any remark.
Where is your studio?" inquired
Hilda, at length.
He mentioned the street
Good Heavans," cried Aunt Polly
that is at the end of the world |!
And do you mean to walk there every
day."
ITO be sure. aunt, And in your
company the way will not seem long,
replied Hilda, plucking at the coachet
lace which was spread over the arm
Of the chair.
Jussnitz could not suppress a
smile, for Aunt Polly looked anything
but pleased at the prospect before her.
The good woman did not know
whether to laugh or be angry at the
claims made upon her How could
she-every day-every day? All, her
time, her beautiful leisure time!
But just consider, child" she be-
gan, II beg of you!"
Dear aunt" replied Hilda, with
that majestic air that had imposed
silence on Frau Berger three days be-
fore-"dear aunt, you must consider
that you have laid upon yourself the
heavy burden Of acting as chaperon to
your young niece, and that nothing
is left for you but to bear this burden
az patiently as may be-"
Aunt POlly's face did not brighten
at all at this speech; she only flushed
crimson with anger This was the
punishment for her suspicion. Hide
garde knew very well how to revenge
herself.
Every day." she stammered, help
lessly
"Yes," replied Hilda, shortly
Il want to have the picture ready
for the Berlin Exhibition" added
Jussnitz
You are to be displayed at the
Exhibition? What would your father
say to that?"
Aunt Polly clutched at the first
straw to save herself
Aunt, don't, please; you do not
understand" cried the young girl,
excitedly, turning toward the little
woman, with her eyes flashing.
Jussnitz thought it best to go.
Aunt Polly tripped out to light the
hall lamp,
why did you not come yesterday"
asked Hilda, in low tone, but with
a good deal of impetuosity.
He smiled; he liked her in her
angry excitement.
L was detained by important bust
ness, just as I was starting"
do you know what waiting
means?" she asked.
"Oh, yes With you it means"
Suffering torture" interrupted
Hilda, abruptly
He knew she was speaking the
truth; her feverish eyes gave
evidence of it,
"Good-by, Herr Jussnitz, and thank
YOU for the flowers" she added.
He smiled again. and what if
did not deserve your thanks?" he
said.
She was taken aback for a moment;
then she. too, smiled. Her still
gloomy face looked indescribably
lovely.
by Jove, | don't know whether |
had not better paint you with smiling
lips, after ALL" he cried. And when
she gave him her hand he pressed it
10 his lips and murmured; "Auf
wiedersehen!"
Aunt Polly lighted the guest down
stairs When she came back to re-
monstrate with her niece, the latter
had left the room and fed to her own
chamber There she yielded to her
overstrained nerves and cried, cried
as if her heart would break.
Aunt Polly stood outside and de
manded to be let it, in vain; at last
she went back to the parlor, shaking
her head. Good Heavens! What
would come of it? He was handsome
and distinguished, and-one could
never tell-in love affairs the I'm
ikeliest things sometimes happened
Well, she shouldn't grudge it to the
Zweidorfs. "Ah, Polly, Polly" she
said, half-aloud, you have got your
self into pretty mess with your silly
eood-nature Well it is to be hoped
the affair will soon come to a good
end"
CHAPTER V.
An open carriage coming from
Dresden dashed by on the highway a
full speed. It was dull Decemba
day, and the snow was coming dow
in large flakes. The two gentlemeI
who sat in the carriage wrapped il
furs looked like snow-men, so thicki
were the white stars scattered owe
their coats. Herr Jussnitz had jus
met at the station his friend Wol
Maiberg, who had come direct fror
Hamburg. Only few days before h
had arrived there on the steame
from Rio de Janeiro, and had come t
spend Christmas with his frien
JussnitZ.