Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1901-03-14
Continued.


in his hand. advanced towards me,
but suddenly he turned aside; my de
spairing face probably BODIED nothing
good for him. and in confusion he ad-
dressed Kate Tollen, who. during the
whole affair, had remained quietly in
her seat. will you not drink with
me?" he asked affably. But un-
fortunately he made his bow 10 an
empty chair, for the child suddenly APP
peared at my side and stroked my
cheek.
Il pity you, Anneliese, l pity you;
were in your place I should run
away"
All, l was constantly losing my
courage for running away; l saw
mammals eyes seeking me continually,
saw them fixed upon me with so sup
plicating an expression, as if at the
sight of me alone did she derive the
strength to act. l could not help
watching her, and involuntarily | APP
preached her and pressed her tremb-
ling arm, in order to console her.
At this junction the bhssful bride.
groom again approached her; the
champagne and pride of his good
fortune had mounted to his brain. He
called the Countess, who did not stir
from mammals side, little mother-in-
law" he called mamma darling,
and proclaimed it before all the
guests. l clnched my fists in my
dress; the Countess cast at him a
glance which would have annihilated
any one else. Attention, sir" said
she.
GO upstairs, Anneliese, you are still
too weak for such excitement" NAM
ma whispered to me, and | went;
could not have watched her any lon
ger, it grieved me to the inmost soul
All, and alone upstairs it was much
worse! l paced to and FRO wringing
my hands, tha rooms were falling in
upon me. | decended the stairs again
entered the Kitchen and inquired for
the cousin. She was in her room, the
servant told me.
This room was not far from the
kitchen, on the side of the garden; It
had one window and an alcove in
which stood the bed an alcove hung
with gaily-howered cotton material
A lamp burned upon the table; the
old lady was sitting next the stove
her hands folded upon her white
apron. staring into space. rs is you
Fraulein Anneliese?" said she. looking
up. II am resting a little, have rare
ly been as fatigued at ] have today"
May | stay with you a while
cousin?"
Certainly" she replied, again
staring before her. Before | had seat
ed myself, the door was burst open
and person, whom | had occasionally
seen in the house, rushed noisily in
She was distant relative of Herr
Woolmeyer's, a widow in the thirties
towards whose support the Town
councillor with his usual magnanim
ity had contributed, by starting for
her a small shop in the Main Street
where she sold ribbons, buttons, yarns
and such things and supported herself
and her little child. She was hand
some, red-cheeked but ordinary-look
ing woman. this "buttOn-Martha," as
she was called in the town. On this
especial day she seemed altogether
changed, the color in her face was
considerably heightened, her tiny
side herself. her shawl had fallen from
her shoulders, and a half-lossened
plat hung about her neck.
1T is very merry here" she cried
her trembling hands removing the
shawl These are fine things, cousin
into which you have thrust your
matchmaking hands
Lord, Martha, are you mad eX
claimed the old lady starting up and
pointing to me. Look about you first
before you talk so freely. What dc
you want?"
81 want to offer my congratulations
my congratulations for the engage
ment," shrieked the frenzied woman
What should ! want? This is prob
ably the step-daughter?" she turned tc
me. 81 congratulate you as well, you
are getting an excellent father, a very
excellent one and a clever one in the
drew nearer me. held her large tremb
ling hand before her and struck ii
with the other. ASK your mother
sent, and If she does not want to tell
you, you can find out from me. Her
hand was empty, like mine, and it is
painful to starve, you know. God
save you from ever seeing anyone
you love famish. And at such mo-
ments he stands there, puts money in
the poor, empty hand, talks OF human
and Christian duties and aid for the
sake Of God. All, and at first that is
such blessing, and then-he gives
more, much more than is required
and he wants nothing in return; he
black eyes glittered, as If she was be
bargain, a very clever one. Yes
he observation-disclosures WOO She
simply desires to help, that is his re-
ward, he says. Whosoever is stupid
enough to believe him-Were you to
tear the gown from my body, cousin
would speak nevertheless" she
-