Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-04-25
Continued.

and you--aVOid me where you can, anC
wound me at every opportunity. Blu
IN one point we shall agree believe
and that Is in our love for your moth
or, This one thought cngrOases this
mother: What will be my daughters
future? She Is worrying about 1t; she
knows as well as you and |, that you
are not just the strongest person in
the world, and, moreover, that your
character Is not such a to enable you
TO go independently through life, You
are a proud little lady, my good An
neliosc; ! concode that your name has
pleasant sound, but you see, one
cannot live upon that. And If under.
stand you Alright, you do not Ike 10 be
dependent upon a person for whom
you have a little sympathy MS you
have for me?"
ITO be sure!" | replied.
"And when one calmly considers
all this. II Is almost incomprehensible
why you should refuse an offer
made from genuine love and respect
for you and which must satisfy you
too In every way You must not
think, Anncliosc, that | want TO per
8uadc you. You may believe me or
mott rs difficult for me to speak a
word in favor Of the man who desires
TO take you from us, but | consider 1t
my duty to do this, for ! have your
welfare ut heart and besides your
mothers wishes urge me to do so. /
have told Brankwlt2, who Is in des-
pair, that II was n little cOquetlY on
your part, your natural spirit of op
position made you act so, and believe
was not fur from the mark"
He paused, wiped his gold eye
glasses, and looked at me ms If ne OK,
pected reply But remained silent,
and rudely' began to sharpen my lead
pencil.
II now repeat the proposal Anne
lcRo, In Otto Won Branlwitzs name,
and add that II Is advisable that you
accept the same You will live at
Dammit near our mother. and the lat.
ter would in our security find the con
tentment which God knows. is very
necessary to her"
My pencil was sharponed and
wiped my 6nger-tips upon piece Of
blotting.paper which | tore out of the
portfolio | was trembling secretly
with fear and yet appeared Indifferent.
"You need not decide this evening
AnnelIeae," he added pleasantly, you
can give me your answer In the after
room, the day after tomorrow, and. II
you please, do not annoy your mother
with the whole affair"
could still find no reply | clutch.
ed at my throat felt ms II somo one
were trying to stranglo mo-and still
maintained silcnco.
Then until the day after tomor-
row."
what Interest," mean. what can
II matter to you whether | marry
Braukwit2 or whether provide for
myself in another way since my
maintenance Is the main reason for
this marriage, as you yourself re.
marked"
Il any especial in--lntercst?" he
asked in surprise, what can you be
thinking of? Chiefly your welfare,
your assured fmture-your mother"
well, thought YOU must be par.
ticularly interested in seeing me cared
for in the manner mentioned. SO
much the better If II be not the case;
then II will not be difficult for you to
thank Herr Won Rrankwtt2 in my
uamo and to say adhere to my
resolution | shall get on in life
entirely alone. and so we'll that mann
mas fears and yours, too. Herr Wolf
meyer, will be nlayed."
lie suddenly seized my wrist. DO
you love anothor?" he asked hastily,
felt my face flush scarlet. II have
never though of such thing" !
stammercd, But before me arose an
image, an image OF the imagination.
the image of tall, handsome man
with faithful, true eyes. tall and proud
such rs a girls brain, be it ever SO
sensible, will secretly coniure up; an
image which bore little resemblance
10 the GisRipatod Brankwit2. whose
eyes looked blenrod through his one
glass and whose hair was 80 scant
Such Groundloss refusal will
not accept" said he, losing his former
amiability altogether; times are not
such ma to allow of 1t, AS your
guardian | have the right to assure
your future, and prospects like these
do not often como up second time.
| tell you herewith that this engage
ment Is desirable, and more than this,
that II is necessary. | will give you
until the day after tomorrow to decide
until the afternoon of the day after
tomorrow, do you understand? Then
require o yes, tothe-point yes, |
have no desire TO enter upon long and
childish discussions. Goodnight"
When the door closed behind him |
remained seated rs If paralyzcd, |
felt something strange. II power
stronger that | was. aud | tremhled
with despair, Herr Won Brankwitz
had promptly OhCvCd his sisters nd