Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-09-05


tie court, like other girls. But Arnold
did nothing of the sort, but made the
mistake of yielding to jealousy.
Resolved to nip the growing evil in
the bud, he scolded her, and thereby
made matters worse.
Adrienne was offended that he could
think her a fiirt, and waited for him
to make overtures toward reconcilia-
ton. But he obstinately maintained
the role of the offended party, and was
very cold and distant.
"Firmness is necessary with a wom-
an" he said to himself. "When she
sees that she can play with you, your
influence over her is gone forever"
Meanwhile, some thing that Adrienne
would never have discovered had be-
come very evident to her mother
namely, that Arnold Scherner was
simply in quest of well-dowered
bride. She knew that the Scherners
were comparatively poor. and was not
In favor of an alliance with them.
But she was too wise to warn
Adrienne directly. Instead, she I'M
dertook her financial education, initi-
fting her into all the details Of the
family resources and expenditures.
Adrienne learned to her astonishment
that her own fortune would amount to
100000 gulden.
This seemed like an immense sum,
but it dwindled marvelously when she
learned that it represented an annual
income of only 5000 gulden, about q
third Of what she would require in or
der to live in the style to which she
had been accustomed.
Clearly, then, her husband must
have an income Of at least $4,000
gulden. Then Mamma Holdesheim one
day capped her argument by remark
ing innocently that DR.. Scherner's sal
airy of 1900 gulden was a very high one
for so young a man. Here was sad
discrepancy. 81 shall have to econo-
mize," thought Adrienne.
At another time her mother said:
"Arnold must marry a rich girl. I
wonder that he has not asked for your
hand, as you and he seem to like each
other. With your money he could do
something for his family"
Adrienne had expected opposition,
but she was not prepared for cold
mathematical demonstration.
Shortly before this, Alfred Mortell,
the son of rich brewer, had come
upon the scene. His reception had not
been encouraging, for the little rift
within the lutte had not yet appeared
a11 tcr cd n
ceiving an unpleasant amount of at
tention and flattery from young ladies
and their mammas, and he said to him
self:
"Thank heaven. Here is one girl
who does not care if am rich and I'M
married"
This feeling inspired the hope Of
winning Adrienne by his personal mer-
its. and he began to court her assidu-
ously.
She was barely civil to him. but
Arnold's jealousy was aroused. as has
been said. After the lovers quarrel,
A&rienne devoted more attention to
Mort ell, partly to punish Arnold.
partly because she was not entirely
free from vanity. and knew how many
girls were envying her the conquest
of the young millionaire.
Thencame the suspicion that Arnold
was in love with her money, and then
came a ball at Mortell's luxurious
house.
Last of all came her father with the
news that Alfred Mortell had asked
for her hand.
She begged for week of delibera-
ton, though her mind was made up.
She wanted the week in order to be off
with the old love decently and in or
der. The rupture, she was determined,
should be made by Arnold, not by her
self. She wished to appear well in
the worlds eyes and his. for after
grateful to him for the little romance
he had given her. Hence the
rendezvous at Haller's. There. after
the waitress had brought the perfume
tory ices and retired Adrienne said:
81 have bad news for you. You must
promise to listen calmly until the end
Then you will understand and perhaps
pity me-"
Arnold obeyed. and she continued
AT one time, you know, we were
wealthy. Until a little while ago
supposed that we were still wealthy
I knew indeed, that papa within the
last year has had to pay large sums
on my brothers account; but still
could not understand why. when we
were alone together, he always
seemed so anxious and troubled, But
the other day he told me that my
brother had squandered enormous
sums, and, not daring to confess tc
papa, had tried to cover his losses by
specializing in stocks. the result OF
which was that he lost a deal more