Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-03-13
n ". HRIMBURG

to force an unhappy man TO proIong
his existence? He could not, hei
must not live,
He made movement with his left
hand, and a slight cry of pain es-
capped him.
She started up out of her slumber.
and the next moment she was bend
ing over him. He could feel her
anxious look through his closed lids:
he could feel her soft cool fingers
laid gently on his forehead, to dis
cover whether the horrible fever was
still torturing him.
He lay quiet again, as if sleeping:
he had not the courage to open his
eyes.
She left him and went to the WIN
dow. Frau Dora" he heard her say,
softly. do you know when the doctor
is coming back l quite forgot to
ask today"
He will be sure to be punctual; 1t
would be the first time that he failed
if he does not, Frau Jussnitz. 1t still
wants eight minutes to seven-and
there he is now" she exclaimed.
Thank God" murmured Ante.
This exclamation seemed TO the
sick man like a sharp iron turned
suddenly in his wound He felt the
blood mounting to his head: the old
angry feeling seized upon him, as 1t
had always done when Maiberg
lowered about Ante. He groaned
| again, and as he heard the greeting
between the Frau Forsterin and MS
friend, and saw Ante creep out OF
| the room on tiptoe to meet him. he
gazed at her with black looks on her
return.
But the doctor perceived at once
that his consciousness had returned :;
he came up to the bed and said in a
loud. hearty tone: well. thank God
Leo, we have got you back again. 1t
| is high time, must say, old fellow, -
fellow"
Autej was standing at the foot Of
the bed. She stood there as If
carved out Of stone, her head slightly
thrown back, with a sad, weary ex-
preston IN ner lace.
do you want anything just now,
Leo?" she injured, in a low tone.
NO" he replied.
Il shall be downstairs in the sit
ting-room, in case you want me-" she
said, and left the room.
"Maiberg, is that all your science
can do to prolong for a little the life
that man would gladly fling away
cried Leo. with a great effort.
"A little? | hope for a long time
if you will be reasonable, my friend.
Il can not live under these cir
cumstances."
What circumstances?
Good Heavens you know very
WE'LL
That is to say, Leo, you cannot
live without your wife"
The sick mans face nushad
crimson. Don't treat me as if |
were a silly boy. She has complain
ed TO you no doubt, why took to
the revolver"
Upon my honor, Leo, I do not
understand one word you are saying 3"
Ante has told you nothing?"
Mo-
Leo shut his eyes and lay still.
Then you must have found out some
other way that +"
Il know literally nothing. l have
only had my suspicious. But-you
must not agitate yourself
What did you suspect" inquired
Leo, family. Tell me, l beg OF you"
Your foolish passion for Hilda-"
He was interrupted by a low,
scornful laugh.
WAS it not SO, Leo? Tell me the
truth-or, rather say nothing about
it, for it is no longer of Importance"
GA man does not put an end to his
life for the sake of a woman's within
at least not man like me-" replied
the sick man. There must be worse
things than that to bear; one must
first see all ones hopes utterly de-
stroyed Defore-but you can get
Antje to tell YOU
eff she wished to confide in me,
she would have done it long ago.
will give you a piece of good advice
go to Sleep"
Rather give me your promise TO
set me on my feet again; to make me
tolerably strong, so 1 can chop wood
or do somthing of that sort. Every
one does not make a good beggar
and there is no hope Of anything
better"
you will be quite well again, if
you are reasonable"
please tell my wife that she need
not trouble herself about me any
more; she must be neglecting more |
duties.''
You foolish fellow, are you still as
blind as ever with regard to your
wife," Maiberg wanted to say, but
he restrained himself, for Leo was
still very ILL., He only shrugged his
shoulders and went to the window;
he was vexed already with himself
for having spoken more Vehemently
than was prudent.
Below, the superintendent Of the
WORKS was Walking up anu uo"H Win
Ante. in earnest conversation. The
old man came up consc1ent1ousIyI
every other day, to make his report
with regard to the business. They
usually sat, on such occasions, at the
table in the parlor,
with the forester's Ieaden 1nkstand
between them and managed the Dusl-
ness,'' as the old man called it.
Today they were settling their ,
affairs as they walked up and down.