New-York tribune., 1902-12-23
ComfeSSe ErneSffr7e.
BY rvOR LLOYD.
PART II
fCcnclsdsd)

make his appearance In the garden. and for once
IN her life Erna was not sorry.
At dinner the grafin announced her intention
Of going to spend the afternoon with an ancient
lady who lived in the Stiff near the cathedral
She did not want her daughter with her, and de-
parted foot at about 2:S0 o'clock, bidding Erna
occupy herself with her music and embroidery IN
her absence. Everything seemed TO favor the
girls scheme
1t was with trembling fingers that she put on
her hat and tied round her neck a scarf OF old
lace beautfy little the shabby little gray dress
Three O'Clock found her the steps OF the house IN
the High Street where she had been the day before
Her heart beat so loudly that she could hear it,
when she advancing from the opposite direc-
ton two young girls accompanied by an elderly
lady and followed by a Hveried footman, carry
ing a large parcel.
Good day. comtesse." cried the youngest OF the
prfncesses catching sight OF Ernestine and run
ming toward her. we very angry with you
indeed for not coming yesterday with Frau Grafn
Rosenkrantz- We were dull and longing TO
have some one to talk to. When sent TO en-
treat the grafn come in. of course we thought
you were there, too. What disappointment
at seeing she alonei'
Yes. Ernesttne' said the elder girl. whose
playmate the young comtesse had been in their
childhood 1T is ages since you paid visit, and
we are grateful to any one who will take pity on
this time of the year up at the castle. Lent IS
so very dull
Meanwhile Ernestine shaking hands with each
Of the three ladies, vas making what apologies
she could.
And now I suppose" said the young Princess
Helene, you are going up to Frau Jens to try on
a dress We were on the same errand"
''As you were here first. must wait said the
other. I'VE had better go the shops TO make
some of our purchases and come back again while
you are there"
"Oh. no. princess cried Erna. II not going
to Frau Jens to-day. and should not have thought
OF keeping away If had been am going to see
a friend the ground floor Of the house
The FreifrauIein Won Dietrtch-Hulst raised her
eyebrows. She wondered who lived on the ground
floor and how it that the Comtesse Ernestine
paying visits alone
so much the better" she observed stifhy- Then
II you please my young ladies. will go straight
up, as it is not desirable stand talking in the
doorway" She followed her charges up the mar
staircase, bowling stf1y to Ernestine VINO stood
aside and let them pass The footman carried the
parcel upstairs and returned empty handed to
wait in the entrance As he took up his position
there Erna was ringing the bell Of Lieutenant
Brauns little apartment That evening all the
servants up at the castle from the housekeeper 70
the smallest scullery maid were discussing the
astounding news that Comtesse Ernestine Won
Rosenkrantz had called on Braun Of the Blue
Hussars
The ring answered by Brauns soldier ser
want. He did not salute. and plainly showed the
surprise he felt He did not know the comtesse by
sight but he knew his masters habits. and did
not know how he could have given any LADY an ex-
cuse for invading his privacy
But goodness. I suppose they're all alike. real
ly." reflected he, he carelessly took Ernest1nes
visiting card from her hand without looking at It,
and answered her question as TO whether the lieu
tenant were at home in the affirmative
Tell the Herr Lieutenant that wish to see him
Show him my card" she said in as firm voice as
she could She followed the in. and the door
Of the little fat closed behind her with bang
which seemed to seal her fate.
ha lien seated
reading He took the card without rising. but hav-
ing glanced it, jumped to his feet The servant
stood aside let Erua enter. and at glance rom
his master left the go and discuss these
strange matters with comrade who had dropped
in 70 see him that afternoon
'.Ernar' Braun bushed like girl. and in his ag1-
tation did not take the hand she held out You
you have come here alone2'
''CertainIy''-she very pale and appeared TO
be quite calm. Did you expect mamma? She has
gone to see old Fraulen Dietz. else, doubtless.
she would have been delighted When you have
shaken hands with 7 will sit down and you
will order some coffee
He her hand and drew her TO him Ny
darling girl. do you not think'-
That I am very thirsty and want Coffee Yes
do That is delightful chair by the open window
I Will sit there-draw up another chair for your
self"
..Won't-won't you be cold by the open window
said Braun aghast. Every passer along the High
Street would see the comtesse there Won't you
come nearer 10 the
The stove is not lighted laughed Ernestine.
that Is quite right for it is remarkably warm
for the time of year. I will sit here and take or
nv hat Otto told me you not duty this
afternoon. He has gone TO GerhGrots. mamma to
visit at the Stiff. I had nothing 10 do, so came
here Why do you stand there staring2 want
coffee and cakes
man who catches at a straw I have none IN the
house. for never eat them Won you come rouna %
to schmidt's conditorei with me and nave some
1T would be bad enough our going there togeth-
err" he thought cOnfuSedly but not so bad as her
a0n no account" said Ernestine decidedly. re-
moving her hat as she seated herself a rocking
chair by the window What do you keep a ser,
want for if he cannot fetch cakes from Schmidt s?
Please send him at once. I like walnut tart-yoG
can get it in slices, and the cakes they call Moors
heads. But really not particular SchHldtS
cakes are all good. But tell him 10 make haste
Heinrich Braun stood in the middle of the room
irreso!ute- Shall not shut the window: Ernest1ne
S G - A. ne roffee Braun had no choice left
and went Ernestine surveyed the room in his alb
sence Though the young Lieutenant was rich, his
rooms furnished and the only evidence OF his
cupation were his books lne appeafeGS So 20 P, De
studiousJ. portfolio of water color sketches ty1ne
half open on the table and some photographS or
members Of his family on the tables f n aae
When Braun returned his lady love was calmly
sur Suryey9 ld lS me voyI1y man nv mother-perhaps
you will think she is not aristocratc looking put
naTson 1,1T in the world Ny little Ernestine. how
long to introduce them all to you. II had our
the right / think you would be happy with Gs.
though we have no Won before our name That is
NV brother who is in business cIJen envy
MIN. though he has TO work harder than l; but he
is among his friends who respect him. in the soci-
erv 10 which he belongs. while have been FOOL
enough 10 force myself into a society TO Whlch
don't belong. and where l am desplsed because my
father makes his money. -
sOh you must be proud of the uniform you wear
and +hat YOU serve the Fatherland. cried the girl
She looked him with admiration she tnougnt
tha taU fair Young man made far handsomer ng-
TIra in mis- light blue uniform than did her brother:
with his ark aquiline face and short though Wen
knit figl1re. They can't desplse you really ana
when you are married TO Won RosenkranZ theS
won't despiSe YOU. .-,s -