Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-02-13
By W. HEIMBURG.


pie are in the habit of doing with
those whom they find in their way ?
suppose you have also settled the pre-
else amount that will enable me to
set myself up in business when I get
there, eh?''
THE proposal to go to Italy came
from me alone, Leo" said Malberg.
Your wife has not made the slightest
attempt to advise you"
The agitated man suddenly stopped
in front Of his friend, a small blue
vein in his forehead stood out promin-
emily, and he breathed with difficulty.
Wolf he began slowly, his voice
growing more loud and excited as he
went on, wolf, what did I write TO
you a while ago? Did | say too much
about my wife? She is pretty. she is
foolish, she is revengeful, reyengeful
to the last degree, and-she is the
wife of an artist, She"
And he struck his forehead with
the palm of his hand and laughed.
'Leow exclaimed his friend, re-
proachfully.
"Be SILENT cried the irritated man.
Il know her better than you do! Do
you know what induces her to bury
herself alive here? In the first place
it is jealousy, the meanest, the most
pitiful jealousy. She wishes to force
me to live in this solitude because
here she is hardly likely to find any
woman who would throw her into the
shade; and then-it is that wretched
mercenary spirit of hers-she thinks
she can save up her pennies here as
her mother did before her Here with
the best will in the world you can't
spend money. You do not need to tell
me what sort of spirit rules under this
roof And it is here that I sought
the companion of my life, and thought
if she were willing to give herself 70
me, what could she care for the
miserable money! [ believed in a
warm, hearty, mutual interchange,
Wolf-ah, it is too pitiful, Why did
prove such d wretched shot? Let
her stay here in the devils name, and
watch over her money-bags like a
dragon. Do what you like-but let
me get away from here as soon as pos.
sible"
Maiberg suffered him to go on with
out interruption; and when he had
finished he made no attempt at sooth
ing him. Any defence of his wife
now would only have been pouring oil
on the flames
IF you will allow it, Leo, | will go
with you"
Much obliged Don't disturb your
self Your presence here probably
cannot be dispensed with"
Il have no more to do here, Leo /.
should go tomorrow morning, at any
rate"
''Go-whenever you like!"
Certainly! May / ask you one
question. Leo?"
You may ask. l cannot say that Il
will answer it,
What was your idea about Hide
garde Won Zweidorf?'
The painter stopped and drew a
deep breath. "Hilda?" he gasped out.
Yes, another victim to petty
nature, Dragged into this wilderness
and shut up in the nursery? To clip
the wings of creature born to fly
among the clouds like an eagle, that
is the good work of the so-called
reasonable, upright, yirtuous house
wife! Perhaps she has situation all
ready for her in the counting house,
or in the kitchen, very likely. The
poor thing is quite powerless in her
clutches, for she spied upon us as [,
in my emotion at the thought of part
ing with the only creature in the
world who cast a little sunlight on my
path. kissed the girls hand a little
more warmly than fashion permits.
That-oh. bah! 1t is not worth speak
ing about. l can do nothing for her
now-nothing,
And again that blue vein swelled on
his forehead.
why do you look at me like that ?"
he cried to his friend. do me the
only favor in your power, and leave
me. | will not see any of you again;
not one of you. Do you understand?
But tell my wife that l am glad to go;
that I am delighted to consent to a
separation. That from this moment
consider myself free man, and only
regret that | cannot give her back
every penny that her folly in marry
ing me has cost her! Perhaps she
may get some Gardgrind for her
second husband, who will help her TO
get back what she lost through the
first. 1 hope so with all my heart
He threw off his dressing gown
snatched a coat from the hook, took up
an overcoat off the chair, and his hat.
1t was a soft felt hat, dripping with
water.
For Heavens sake, Leo, where
are you going? Man. don't lose your
head entirely
But Jussnitz only shrugged his
shoulders and marched out of the
door.
Maiberg hurried into his own room
to get his fur coat and hat. He dared
not let him go like this.
Leo rushed along the corridor. He
had already reached the staircase
when he turned round, after a
moments hesitation, and walked
| quickly back to the nursery. A shorr
| knock at the door, turn OF the knob
! and, without waiting for an answer
he was inside.
who it is?' called out Hilda.
Il, Leo Jussnitz!" replied voice
which she would hardly hav;
recognized, so hoarse was it.
The young girl started up ant