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

no other advice to give you. | viii
speak to Frau Antje, not you; but
this is not the proper time TO choose.
And now goodnight, Fraulein Hilda
he had suddenly grown very formal
try to calm yourself"
When he had opened the door TO
leave the room, he turned round
again, and saw Hilda standing in the
stream of light that came in from the
hall Her wonderful eyes We're fixed
en- him with a helpless, despairing ex-
preston, and her loosened hair hung
heavily about her fearful face
He was shocked at the sight.
Keep up a good heart, Fraulein
Hilda!" he said, earnestly, but his
heart began to beat more rapidly, and
ne suddenly felt as if he would like
to draw the foolish little thing, VINO
had done so much harm in her pas
sionate resentment, close to his
breast and tell her how sorry he felt
for her. Then he became conscious
that he had stood there too long, and
he bowed to her and shut the door,
much more violently than one usually
shuts the door of room where
baby is asleep.
When he was outside his face took
Oh an expression of veXatiOn. "Old
fellow" ne said to himself. don't be
a fool! She is not-nOt at all what
you want, do you understand? Be
sensible; give your message to Leo,
and then think about packing your
trunk, for this is no place for you"
CHAPTER XXI.
Maiberg knocked at Leo's chamber
door.
Come in" was the reply, and ne
entered He received a somewhat
nonical bow in return for his Good
evening" Leo was in his dressing
gown. and a large glass half-flIed
with hot punch stood on the table IN
front of the lamp. In the corner lay
q heap of wet clothes, from which
a little stream of water was running
down over the well-scoured floor.
What is this?" inquired Maiberg.
Water pure water, from the little
stream out there"
Have you had an accident? Did
YOU slip on the boards, orr"
Il did not do that, but | had an ac-
eident in connection with those boards.
hope you will utilize your new posi-
ton as adviser of the mistress of
Eottessegen' by doing IA good deed,
end | will insist upon it that those
INl Il, Jl Ynl-
away. Drunken men. or those who are
subject to giddineSS. cannot possibly
cross them without danger As future
Aesculapius to the mines, it is your
bHnden duty to look out for the bodily
welfare of those cOntded to your care.
| suppose | am not mistaken in taking
" for granted that your endless inter
view with the chief of the works this
afternoon was for the purpose of
settling this matter? ! am sure | can
not imagine what else of Importance
You could have to discuss with her.
The Frau Bergrath is now already
resting from her labors, and no longer
requires your assistance"
During this speech Maibers had
eazed silently at his friend-who was
walking up and down like Gagged lion
with eyes that grew more and more
aaXious the more violent Leo grew.
Leo" he said at length, will you
not sit down.
1T is very kind of you TO offer me
a chair in this house; it is quite in
accordance with your new position
which | was just talking about"
Maibery paid no attention TO this
remark but drew forward a hair in
front of Leo. who had thrown himself
down on the sofa. and seating himself
he said: Il have something 20 say to
you, Leo. | wish you would imagine
we were as we used to be, when you
did not dislike me but trusted in me-"
Perhaps you bring me a message
from my wife,"
Yes, Leo; and now be once more
the mild, reasonable, and just person
you used to be-
You seem to consider me rather
weak in intellect at present.
Maiberg made no reply to this. He
ONLY said. quietly: Your wife begs
that you leave Oberode, as at present
she does not feel able to attend to the
settlement of all these details which
your strained relations unfortunately
require She begs that you will have
patience until the first days of mourn
ing for her mother have passed.
Leo Jussnitz looked fixedly at the
speaker for a moment, and then he
burst into loud, convulsive augh.
Il would advise you. Leo con-
tinued Maiberg, quite unmoved. ito
let her have her way. In the condi-
zion in which you both are at present
you in a state of extreme irritation;
she. in one of iron determination-it
will be better for you to avoid each
other. Let some little time pass. anc
then, perhaps-who knows There
may be found some way out Of it,
Leo had grown perfectly calm. so
that is why l got such a curt refusal
to my humble request for an audi
ence," he said at length. She will
not see me- She is right; it is better
that / should go"
mo she certainly will not. Leo"
Leo got up and began to resume mis-
walk up and down the room. Malbers
remained seated, playing with the
fringe of the table-cloth He did nc
like to look at the pale face of the
man who had been the dearest FRIEND
of his youth. He knew there would
be. violent scene. he was so we'll &C
quainted with his character.
Perhaps you will not uudertak,