Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-01-18

4
ish unrest. Presently the general
came in with an anxious look.
Uncle" she cried out as he entered,
there is woman in there who de-
clares she is Becher's lawful wife.
Go and see her, and if she is speaking
the truth, then, uncle, then"
The old gentleman was so amazed
that he though her delirious. why,
Lora," he said gently, drawing her to-
ward him, why, Lora, whaf ais you,
lchild?"
Uncle, if she is speaking the
truth" began Lora again, will thank
her, thank her on my knees, for then
then"
She drew him to the door and thrust
him into the boudoir, and she herself
fed into the farthest corner of one
of the deep bay-windows, laid her burn
ing forehead against the pane, and
gazed out into the darkening park In
a moment she heard the generals
words
( "Ah, Ell 1t is you, madam
Then the door closed and she could
hear nothing but an indistinct muir
muir. Sometimes there were long
pauses, and then came the soft, plain
tive woman's voice.
Merciful Cod what if she should
prove to be an impostor, if she were
not his wife at all, and her own chains
were firmly forged, There were such
strange laws-what if this ray of light
had come only to make the night of
her despair the darker and more
gloomy? "Merciful God, grant that
she may be speaking the truth"
prayed the young wife. Let me live,
let me be free
She did not think of the insult that
had been put upon her, if this should
prcIe the truth. The salon door
which led into the corridor opened
and with short, hasty steps Frau
Elfrieda rushed through the room
came to see what was going on UP
here-and Lora's heart began to beat
violently. The lady knocked at the
door of the boudoir, and then quickly
entered.
he door was left open. Lora heard
a half-suppressed cry and the angry
words: you dare to come here?
Herr General, she is an adventures
of the purest water. She lived with
me as a companion, and the vile
creature entered into an intrigue with
my son-you now, your excellency,
how young men will be young men :
especially where there is sly creature
like her. i had to send her away, but
she has done nothing for years but
pursue the poor fellow
Madam, entreat you for your own
sake"-the generals voice sounded
very cold-'to be calmer In such a
matter ss this there should be no
anger and no malice. l am not a
lawyer; therefore / cannot say how
good this lady's claim may be; but we
shall soon find out when the matter
comes before the courts. OF course
have no reason for doubling your
word; but there is one thing that
seems quite serious; this lady is quite
willing to call the law to her assist
ance. H'mI think the lady must
feel that the ground is pretty firm I'M
der her feet, and-have you any idea,
madam, what the punishment is for
such mistaken"
"Merciful heavens! Don't speak so
loud; not so loud" cried Frau Becher,
nearly beside herself. "She is an I'M
poster, swear it; she is an impostor."
Il am no impostor,' Lora now heard
the straner say in trembling voice,
NOR did you dismiss me as you say;
II went out of your house voluntarily,
to protect myself against your sons
pursuit; but he found me out at my
aunts, with whom had taken refuge.
There he offered me his hand-as I
remained ARMAND IL accepted it
- she stopped for u moment, and
then went on speaking in lower tone,
because was fond of him, although
he had tried to degrade me. We were
married. and had no suspicion be-
cause our marriage was to be kept
secret, and because he would not take
me home to his mother. knew she
hated me; he said to me so often that
II was ttiA iCl ldulI that loo nv
offered to marry me before. He al
ways declared he would take me to
. Germany Then he went away him.
self-the child was Just two months
old-and he promised to come back
fer me as soon as possible. ale came
to see me once year-he was there
once last winter-and then"
Liar" cried Frau Becner.
Madam" said the general to Ellen,
go back to your hotel, and l will
. talk with Frau Becher. You shall
hear from me tomorrow morning. Elk
! cuse me for not going with you, but
my first duty is to look after my
niece"
To be Continued.