Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-01-09

i courtyard, and the wall shut out the
/ viev. of the deserted house Antje
turned her head away from the trees
! in the garden, whose budding
branches were swaying over the wal
! IN the spring breezes, as if they were
sending their parting greetings 70
! her and wishing her a happy return
She sat up straight in the carriage
| and looked out toward Dresden. The
| towers of the city were not visible
today; all were swallowed up in mist
and clouds. The sun, which had
/ shone in the morning with such a
golden light, was now hidden by
| clouds. A few rain-drops battered
against the carriage windows, like
heavy tear-drops.
Hilda crushed her handkerchief in
side her muff, but not muscle Of the
pale, gloomy face moved. She would
so gladly have fed far away, and yet
she could not, for this pale woman be-
side her would think she could not go
far enough away, not far enough from
him. The carriage stopped at the
little station. Antje stood up to get
out, but she stopped. There at the
carriage door stood Leo, offereing her
his hand.
She stood calmly beside him, ana
her heart ceased its wild throbbing. 1t
was only for appearances sake that
he bought her tickets and had her
trunk weighed. He was fulfilling
her last wish.
For what place shall I take your
ticket, Fraulein Won Zweidorf?" he
inquired of Hilda, lifting his hat.
Il am going with Frau Jussnitz,"
she replied.
He cast a glance Of surprise at
Antje. She was pulling the bows
straight in the childs hat, but she
felt her face fiush-he had only come
to see Hilda once more! Perhaps he
would think she was taking the girl
with her to remove her from him!
Out of jealousy? Oh, no; he could
not know so little of her as that!
They had a long time to wait, fully
fifteen minutes. They found some
acquaintance in the hot little
waiting rOom-General Rosen, with
his kind-hearted wife, one of those
old ladies who, on account of her kind
ness, had been Antics refuge at her
balls and parties. She came up to
Antje with both hands extended
Dear Frau Jussnitz. I have heard
from your husband that you are
bound on a sOrrOwful errand, that
your mother is very ILL.,"
Hilda, who was standwing beside
Ante, and made low bow to the old
lady, was entirely overlooked by her.
Ante flushed. This intentional over
sight-for it could be nothing else
showed her that gossip had already
been busy with the young girls name
in the circle in which they moved.
Therefore, after a few words Of
thanks, she added: Il am so fortunate,
your excellency, in not having to
travel alone; my young friend here is
SO kind as to accompany me-"
Leo did not hear, he was talking
with the old general; but Frau Rosen,
after a moments surprise, turned to
the young girl and spoke few
friendly words.
At last the train came in. In the
hurry of departure no one noticed that
all farewells between them were
omitted; only Antje held out the
child to her father, then he put It
into the carriage with her.
Hilda had got in first. and the nurse
was the last. Jussnitz stood on the
platform with lifted hat, and looked
down the rails, which melted into one
far below by the pine-woods. When
the train started, Ante felt as if she
must stop it with all the Strength of
despair. But it kept remorselessly
on it's way; the little station disap-
peared from sight, and she was borne
away, away, perhaps-nay, probably
never to return.
From the opposite hill the summer
house at the end of the vineyard
came into view; then that too dis
appeared, and she saw nothing more,
only monotonous pine-woods and de-
folds