Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-02-06
CHAPTER XXI.

of being undisturbed. With regard
to all that had to be done in the near
future, she only felt that one thing
was clear-Leo must not stay here,
To treat with him face to face was
more than she felt able to do, and yet
she felt that it would be indelicate
to request him through the lawyer 70
spare her the pain of seeing him
She tried to- write 70 him, but she
could not find suitable words. How
ought one to write to a husband from
whom one Is On the point of separdt'
ing? She laid down her pen again
and looked out over the open common
that lay there in its Sabbath repose.
All, If there were only one human
heart that she could confde in, that
would do her the friendly service Of
being the messenger between herself
and him, of telling him that she was
determined. irreyocably determined to
free him from The letters that had 80
weighed him down-only one, only
one human heart
She suddenly started up and opened
the window.
Dr. Maiberg was just coming out II
one of the workmen's houses. She
did not call him. She only looked at
him, but he read the entreaty in her
sad eyes, and came up to the window
do you want anything, Frau Juss-
nitz?"
IF you can spare me few mo-
ments, Herr Doctor"
Il am quite at your service"
In a few moments he entered the
room. II was always rather dark
there: the only window was In a deep
niche formed by the thick walls, and
there was an iron grating outside H..
In the corner there was a small
American stove. Antje stood at the
writing-table in her somber mourning
dress. with a pale, determined face.
May | ask you to do me a favor"
she inquired,
He bowed assent
You have heard perhaps already
from Leo that"
She turned away her face; It was
so horribly hard to say the words.
She could not bring herself to do 1t.
Has he not said anything to you
Herr Doctor?"
Il haven't the slightest idea what
you mean" he replied. looking won
deringly at her trembling figure.
LEO and | have decided to sep
arate." she hurriedly gasped out
That s impossible. Frau Jussnitz,"
he said, very quietly,
mo. 1t Is true. see now that the
wife of an artist should be quite a
different person from such as | am !:
not so prosaic. so horribly insight.
cant. Maiberg, know that Leo
suffers from these qualities of mine.
know 1t from his own llps--he docs
not love me. 1t Is frightful. this GER
tainty. but easier to bear than my
life has been for some time past.
Maiberg. do not say anything,
entreat you: do not try to persuade
me that there Is a misunderstand-
ing" she continued. do not drag
me back into the struggle. from which
[ have barely come off eonquerur.
All ask of you--you are Leo's friend
is to beg him In my name to go
away this very evening. cannot
bear to have him here any longer: ii
is impossible under the circum.
stances. Tell him that his letters
have fallen off: tell him that he shall
be legally free as soon as the first
months of deep mourning for mamma
does, too-not to desecrate that
sacred period witha divorce suit"
Il was not prepared for this" re.
piled Maiberg. gloomily.
But | can not do otherwise. can
mott" she cried,
And what will become of Leo when
YOU forsake him."
He viii be a happier man than he
has been hitherto; he will be a great
artist, Herr Doctor"
Frau Jussnitz," he said, you ave
overeXcited. your nerves are over
strained. Calm Yourself. and wal
send Leo away. DO you stay here TIL
you recover yourself Take courage
and one day you will be able to Danish
these gloomy thoughts and take up
again with renewed courage the by no
means easy duty of being Leo's wife
But
An indescribahly sad smile parted
her lips.
Never" she said in loud, clear
voice. Il shall stay here. must
stay here-his path and mine are
separated forever But | wish you
would say TO him, Herr Doctor. that
ever since have known him | have
thought only Of his happiness, Blu,
no" -" interrupted herself,-"iC
not tell him that Why should you .
God knows whether YOU are doias
right" returned Maiberg.
Go" she enueated, go, II h,
wishes to take the evening train, n
must start soon"
She sank down, as il her strength
had suddenly failed her, into Tn
chair In front of the writing-tahle.
The young doctor left the roCr
with a long. earnest look at her, II