Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-03-04
W. Hei1mburg.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES %
Continued.

shook my frame as the storm does a
young tree. She laid her large, heavy
hand upon my head in silence; she let
me weep.
After long pause she cleared her
throat. HIM"
"Aunt?"
"H'm!"
Dear, dear aunt. do not allow it,"
again implored.
''Josephinei" called the Countess,
bring the coffee; you must eat some
thing, child. then we will talk"
When the table was dainty set with
the simple, white dishes, she buttered
me a roll. stared fixedly at one point,
and slipped her coffee, evidently oc-
cupied with her thoughts. 1t seemed
an eternity to me. Then she took up
. the small prayer-book, opened it
where the marker lay, called "Pst'' to
her canary-bird which was preparing
to begin the day with trill, and with
folded hands read: Remember the
way through which the Lord, thy God
led thee. upon which He humbled
thee and tried to find out what was in
thy heart, if thou wouldst keep His
laws or not-Amen!" She folded her
hands over the closed book and said:
S'You have probably imagined all
this, you silly little thing. | am con-
WINGED that Len l will go with you
later on and"
At this juncture the door was flung
open and my mother entered. When
she saw me, she grasped the back of
the sofa upon which the Countess sat,
her form reoled and peculiar sound
escaped her throat. "Anneliese!" she
murmured, "God be praised!"
"Good-morning, LEM" cried the
Countess, but her face was as naughty
and cold as if she had before her dis
agreeable petitioner and not her be-
loved favorite. who sank crushed into
a chair. and dropped her beautiful
head as If conscious of her guilt.
You have something to tell me,
Len? Go into the kitchen. Anneliese.
to Josephine; ponder upon what just
read"
My mother did not raise her head
as l passed, but behind me rang out
the old lady's voice like the signal of
a trumpeter summoning to the attack;
<Len, are you altogether God-for-
saken? To marry once is a piece of
folly for which I can forgive a wo-
man, but the second timeI Only
listen
God be praised, the Countess would
know how to prevent it!
Chilly and over-fatigued sat beside
Josephines kitchen-hearth, staring
vacantly at the collection of plates
and glasses and vessels which were
ranged upon the shelves all freshly
covered with white lace-paper, and
counted the old pewter once again
with its ms-four-and-twenty pieces
and two large dishes. 49,. How long
she stayed! Finally heard steps de-
scend the stairs. hasten through the
hall and leave the house. Mamma
had gone; she was vexed with the
Countess, she insisted on having her
own way, she-my God!
eff you please, miss, the Countess
would like to see YOU said Josephine.
l rushed from the kitchen and up
the stairs. The old lady was alone in
the room; she was standing at her
fower-stand, picking off a few wither-
ed leaves. "Well?" she asked gently,
without turning her head.
Where is mammal"
She has gone home"
Aunt"
Still she did not turn tAnneliese,
you will be reasonable, you will not
make more difficult for your mother a
step which she has taken after mature
deliberation, and which. nevertheless,
is very difficult"
"Aunt-you-you too?"
81 can see that she is right from
her point of view you cannot under
stand it. 1t is very hard to be with
out a protector-for a woman in your
mothers position. She-well, as
have said, Anneliese, you do not
understand that"
So this was the result of the inter
view. The Countess was altogether
upon her mammals side! stood
there as if paraIyzed.
well, Anneliese?"
At length she turned; then saw
that her small, gray eyes were in
famed. The Countess, usually so
severe, SO composed, had been weep
ing! Your mother" she continued,
will make public as soon as possible
her engagement; she will consult with
Herr Wollmeyer and, as she connot
very well remain in her future hus-
bands house. she will be my guest
until her marriage. You-naturally-
likewise, unless you prefer making a
short trip. II have relatives in
Hamburg who would be delighted to
entertain you until-the wedding is
over. In case you"
THANK you-yes, would be very
grateful to these strange people,
aunt
Then of course you will return to
your parents house."
81 shall never have parents again,