Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-11-07

~" MANNING VI Tax Spanish JdChSti
and the hurried movements of thetwo
women. And when in few moments
diida appeared in the doorway her
dazzling beauty almost took her
breath away. But the Baroness
walked straight up to the easel with
q lamp. Look here. Nelly, quick"
she cried
They We're both silent. and Nelly
looked disappointed.
Mediocre, isn't it," whispered the
baroness in French Hilda did not
hear it. Then she wrapped the charm
ing Spanish girl up in her cloak, and
dragged her out of the house, laugh
ing end testing
Frau kirchner ran behind them
with the lantern, shaking her head.
They can take her with them if they
Ike" she muttered to herself, but
the picture is another thing. I
wouldn't have let them have that"
And as the carriage rolled away in
the darkness she looked after it dis.
ecntentedly.
1T may all be very fine, all their
nummery on Christmas eve, but l
pity woman who has to laugh at
such mad FRANKS"
And she thought as she went back.
of a pair of clear, child-like woman's
eyes. which looked with an expression
of Understandable anxiety at the little
glove that had fallen out of her hus.
bands pocket
TITS nice sort of thing they have
in hand, make no doubt" she NUT
tered again, and with vigorous jerk
she turned the key in the lock.
CHAPTER TX.
The celebration which the Baron
ess Erlach had planned could not take
place at her cousins haunted castle.
The old chimneys and stoves, which
had not been used for a half-century
or more, refused to do their duty
when trial of them was made, happi-
ly in good season, and the foreman
who was called in recommended ex-
tensive repairs which would take
several weeks to complete. So Herr
Won Barrenberg was obliged to con-
veg to his cousins the dismal tidings
that to his infinite regret he could not
receive his guests at Barrenberg, but
he begged they would spend the even
ing in his apartments in the city in
stead.
After all, 1t was not great misfor-
tune. After Irene Won Erlach had
rushed headlong into hundred plans
for the celebration, and promised her
little cousin"-he measured about
six feet two-to conscientiously fulfil
her duties as hostess. She had all
manner of fantastic ideas for the
decoration of the salon, and began to
consider who should be invited; for
the practical cousin, who only opened
his rooms to the families of his
friends on compulsiou. now that he
was ain for it" wished to extend invi-
tat'ons TO some people to whom he
vas indebted. Irene chose some
charming little presents for him.
promised to provide a MAGNIFICENT
Christmas-tree and live" Christmas
angel, drove with him to the pastry
cooks, and thought of every smallest
detail, so that at last Barrenberg him
self began to eniov the fun. and at
five o'clock precisely on Christmas
eve received his guests at the door of
his large and elegant bachelor estab-
lishment with the quiet. good-natured
smile that made his tall somewhat
clumsy person so attractive.
Beside him stood Frau Won Erlach
in white silk gown. trimmed with
marabout feathers above whose airy
down the dark. brilliant face looked
more charming than ever. Behind
her laughed and whispered wocharm-
ing blond Young girls. Nelly and Nelly
Won Benk'n, nieces of Barrenberg.
whom he had begged of his sister for
this evening. Thew were under the
care of the little Baroness. and had
permission to enjoy the pleasures of
the capital and the hospitality of the
Baroness until the first of January
The two girls, who looked absurdlv
courtesies. which still had lingering
flavor of the dancing school. gradual
ing them TO suit the rank of the
guest, and all with the most solemn
faces. which did not prevent them
from putting their heads together inn
rad'ate'y afterward and giggling.
Some of these people Were really too
fUnnvi There were the former COM
rades of their uncle. the merry Lieuten-
ant Won Osten conspicuous among
tham: then an asthmatic old colonel's
wife in green velvet. who stared at
one THROUGH her eve-glass for haitian
hour at time: then there was the
widow of a hunting friend; then
young man in an impossible
civilians dress, whose cravat was
much too red. and his young wife
much too pretty for him. He was a
pianist. from whom their uncle took
teecons.
-Iust think OF our good old uncle
PLAYING on the p'apo with those
claws of his" whispered Nelly to
Nelly