Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-03-20

He wanted to ask for Ante, but he
could not bring himself to do so. He
only looked about the room as IL he
missed something.
She was up and away early this
morning." said the young fOrester's
wife, who had just come in and
quickly OWNED what ne wanted. 1T
is high time she was looking after
her child and house. Heaven
knows she doesn't have a very easy
time Of it if she is rich"
He bit his lip; had she gone be
cause she knew that he no longer
needed her?
They were strange days which fol
lowed, days divided between anger
with her for leaving him, and settle
proach. and longing to see her. He
listened with all his ears for the roll
in wheels for the swapping OF whip,
i'll the direction Of the woodland
road: he started when the old stairs
Creaked under light fOotstep and
turned pale when he saw that it was
only Frau DOrchen. He derided him
self for it, and when in the evening
the twilight came ON, and Maibcrg
put down the book which he had
been reading aloud. and left him 70
get a little fresh air, when it was SO
still all about him that he could hear
the gnawing Of the wOod-moths in
the old beams, and the clatter Of
mouse under the boards, then he put
h jC
teeth hard, and something that he had
not felt since he was a boy trickled
down from his burning eyes over his
cheeks But then he angrily brushed
away the tears and called himself
sick, sentimental fool; and when the
doctor came back and began to chat
pleasantly, he returned only rough
and biting answers He never in
quired for Antie.
And she did not come back.
The days wore away; Leos youth
full viGor slowly gained the mastery.
He was soon able to sit out-of-dOOrs
or TO walk a little way into the
forest. leaning on Maiberg's arm.
This air seems just made FOR you.
Leo" said his friend; land there are
delightful days that we are idling
away like this. Heavens knows
whether we shall have such pleasant
ones again quiet peace, and fresh
ness of the woods. | am enjoying
myself as | have not done for lolg
time"
The doctor snatched off his hat as
he spoke, and looked through the
bower of beeches in their spring
green, and his usually rather grave
face wore al expression OF quiet
happiness.
Il think you are going to have
some visitors, Leo" he exclaimed. as
he turned round. look. look. there
are the brown horses from the iron
works and that little white cloud
sitting in the carriage is your little
daughter. accompanied by the very
worthy Frau Classen."
And SO it proved A dainty little
girl tripping toward the two gentle
men, holding the hand Of the OLD
woman. who had decked herself in
holiday attTe. in her native Dutch
cap with the great earrings.
The child carried a great bunch or
flowers in her tiny hand She held
it out TO her father, saying: Here, i
papa!" and the rosy, childish face,
like fresh little rosebud itself ;,
peeped out from under the little lat
Maiberg set up the camp-chair for
Leo under a great beech-tree. and
strolIed on. He could see Leo still
thOughtfully holding the childs hand
III his. while Classen seated herself
on the grass and brought out her
llnitting-worll.
1t is very fine weather." said the
old woman at length, breaking the
silence, land it is so splendid up here
i'll the woods, and | am glad enough
TO be home again among the noun
tains."
he nodded absently.
The air wasn't healthy in that
old Sibyllenburg, sir; it didn't agree
with any of us" she continued. be-
ginning new needle. "Leonie.
there is a pinecone; run and get 1t!
We have to play with her a little.
sir she reminded him; ''she is used
to it with Fraulein Hilda."
"Ah. yes Is the FrauIein still
there?"
Yes, she is still staying with us.
sir. and it doesn't look now as though
she was likely to GO"
When did you come from Sibyl-
lenbur?" he inquired. looking after
the child, who was dancing about on
the grass-grOwn path
''Oh, few days ago. just after it
was sold''
He started up. "Sold?" But what
business was it of his?
THE gracious lady was there her
self with the Judge, and picked out
all the things which were to be kept.
Oh, my sense! She looked Just like
a ghost when she signed the papers,
though / couldn't help feeling glad
Tor it was an unlucky sort of
place. that old house"
Who bought it," was ON the tin OF
his tongue. but he could not bring
himself to say it. 1t was all the
same to him; he no longer owned a
single stone of it
At this moment Classen spied the
Frau FOresterin, who was beckonine
to her from the house, and she
charged the little one to be good
At any rate there was a good cup of
coffee in store for her.
The male man aDd tho ROSY oby,S