The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14

Won Volkerlingk talk of the baron's brother
Richard and the Baron. Ludwig speaks of
the good luck his brother encountered in the
friendship of the countess, who has guided
and encouraged him. He was dabbling
in poetry and politics, in archaeology and
exploration, like the typical noble amateur"
says the Baron Ludwig. HE had a for
tune from his mother while l was poor.
But in respect / was richer than he.
for he married a fool who dragged him
down to the level of her own silly snob-
bishness. But then you came-and lifted
him up again. Then all his dormant pow
ers awoke--he discovered his gift as a
speaker, he became the mouthpiece of the
party; he got into the Reichstag. and -"
Beata adds, And dropped out again" 1t
was she that raised him out of intellectual
poverty and finally of political failure, for,
as she tells him after his election as sue
cessor to Kellinghausen, she persuaded her
husband to retire, making him believe that
he cared more for his horses than for the
publics affairs.
Richard arrives at the Kellinghausen
house before the report of the election Is
received. His friends have been there,
praising his devotion to the cause. His son
Beata' and his sweetheart, Ellen, who is
Beata's daughter. Ellen tells Norbert of
her mothers suffering from disease of the
heart, which causes her to walk through
the rooms at night, struggling for self-con-
troll; Norbert tells Ellen of his mothers abb
sorption by the activity of society" Rich
ard and Beata, alone, discuss the past. Fiji
teen years ago they met in wood at
1t was crying from fatigue. He did not
know them. but he lifted the child in his
arms. Good heavens, what was 1 then,
and what have you made of me?" exclaims
Beata. MY own-let me call you that just
once, Richard, as / used to-just once, on
this great day-my own! What quiet,
happy little woman 1 was. That happy is
not meant as reproach, dearest. I have
boundless capacity for happiness, and 1t
kept me company even in the loneliness Of
my early married life-for in those days
Michael did not take much notice of me. 1t
was you who showed him that was worth
noticing. And so you built up my new
life-a hard life to carry, at times; a life
bowed under its own wealth as the vine is
bowed under its fruit-but how 1t has
grown under your hand, dearest, how II has
spread and strengthened! Now, you're
| laughing at me, Richard
Richard is uneasy, tormented by thoughts
| of what occurred between them fifteen
| years ago. Beata assures him that at
never really happened-it's been dead and
| buried for years-dead and buried, every
| trace of 1t. No one knows what we were
I to each other. no one even dreams it. And
we're old people now, you and I. Only
| think, 1 shall soon be forty! Who is going
| to ask two old mummies what follies they
| committed in the year 1? And If you're
| fond of Michael-if we're both fond of him
| and why shouldn't we both be fond of him
| that dear, good, CHEEKY Michael of ours p
| why. that needn't make you probe the
| depths of your soul for fresh wickedness.
| / tell you we've paid for everything, even
| to the uttermost farthing" But when
| Beata explains to Richard how she per-
suaded Michael to give UP his seat in Par
| lament to him Richards reproaches rise
high. He and Beata thought it their duty
| to cease being lovers twelve years ago be-
| cause Of the deception-''but this fresh sac
| rifice-if 1 accept this-God! Think of it.
| Tomorrow 1 shall have to make that
| speech in the Reichstag. My position, my
| convictions compel me to appear as the
spokesman of the highest ideals, and all
the while I shall owe my seat to the friend
whose hottest ties 1 have trampled on,