Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-03-08

passions that she had so carelessly
called into play.
The gentlemen were now speaking
exclusively. The voice of the one
and of the other alternated in her ears
once even she heard her own name.
Where is Fraulein Katie?"
1t was Wegstedt who spoke
Il think she mus be with my
mother" replied Ernest.
Il imagine she is sitting with
Fraulein Gussie, talking about horses"
said Wegstedt. by the way, this is
the night for the bowling club. Why
are you not there, Herr Doctor"
And why are you not. Herr Lieu
tenant?"
Il? | think it is not too pleasant to
go and smell kerosene and cigar-smoke
in that close place, and it isn't any
great fun, either
THAT was exactly my opinion" re-
marked the doctor.
Curious replied wegstedt care
lessly; and yet you are one of the
best players.
Frau Won Tollens low voice was
now heard joining in the conversation,
and Helen asked if it were not too
cool for her mother.
Then Wegstedt spoke again.
"Auntie Tollen, | am going to write
to mamma tonight Have you any
message? | have promised Fraulein
Katie a side-Sa ddle"
But that is nonsense. Hans said
Frau Won Tollen, in tone of vexation
1T is not nonsense at ALL beg
your pardon. Why should you think
so?" This was said very impatiently
IF you could only have Seen her on
horseback. | wish she would come in,
so she" He broke off suddenly.
Il don't believe she will come
home before ten O'clock" said Helen.
And does she come home SO late
alone?" asked the young officer.
"Auntie, you ought not to allow that"
He got up suddenly as he spoke
Perhaps l may go to the club after
ALL"
Katie started up and fed upstairs
She sat down on the top step. She
could hear his spurs clinking as he
walked across the hall, and then he
was gone. Thank Heaven, he will
not see mamma again tonight. But
Ernest"
She went back and crouched down
again at her post of listener.
She YVES right. Ernest was speak
ing. 1t would be better, he thought,
under the existing circumstances,
that the engagement should be made
public. Il came here to say this,
Frau Won Tollen, but could not speak
while Hans Won Wegstedt was here.
l will net keep you long, for it is get
ting damp; but / must entreat you to
consider what I have said"
my dear Ernest, will think about
ut. You may be right" was the sor-
lowful reply.
Indeed, mamma, it would be the
best thing for Katie" said Helen; sit
is the only right thing to do. She is
getting obstinate and perverse under
the constraint of this secrecy. She
is very fond of the doctor; and you
know, mamma, when we Tollen girls
like any one We like him very much,
even though We have to wait ten years
for him. So do put the poor child
out of her misery"
For the second time Katie took
fight. The doctors pleasant Good
night" to her mother and sister,
reached her ears. This time she fed
into the garden, ana took refuge
among the raspberry bushes. She
did not come out till they had all left
the garden, and then she sat down
again on the threshold She would
wait for Hans Wegstedt God gran.
that he should come before ten O'Clock.
for he must not speak to mamma to-
morrow. The other one must hear
first-she clasped her hands tight to-
gether-that she had made mistake
when she thought she loved him; that
she had only learned now what real
love was.
And she waited there in the soft
fragrant night, almost desperate with
fear and yet blissful in her conquest
of Hans Wegstedt's heart; revealing
in the brilliant future that was open
ing before her, and with it all in
feverlsh and half-unconscious condi-
ton. The clock in the academy struck
ten; she counted the strokes in a low
voice. only quarter of an hour
more to wait" she said. 1t was
strange how chilly she felt all at
once, in spite of the heat; her teeth
chartered, and her forehead was
damp.
There was a movement in the old
kitchen, which was now a servants
room. The young soldier went whist
ling across the hall to light the lamp
in the lieutenant's room. Then he
came back with a carafe of water,
passed close by Katie, and disappeared
in the dark grden. Katie could hear
the pump going, and the soldier whist
ling:
Roses are blooming in the vale,
Soldiers are marching to the field"
The conversation Yesterday about |