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

Her nand tremDled so tndI the VINE
in the glass, which she took up me-
chanically, spilled over the edge.
An embarrassed pause ensued; the
words sounded contemptuous. and the
voice, usually so soft, was hard and
rough.
The servant, dressed in violet
plush, suppressed a smile as he offered
! the ragous. Lora declined. The others
ate their dinner in silence.
Frau Elfrieda was flushed and angry.
Aunt Melitta made a clumsy attempt
to set the ball rolling again, but her
announcement that somewhere or other
| there had been a railroad accident,
met with no response. Lora leaned
back in her chair, and played with
crumbs of bread She looked hor-
ribly pale.
IF you don't feel well, Lorchen, you
had better not stay; go and lie down, !"
suggested Aunt Melitta
YES, tanks; excuse me- she STAN
mered out, and left the room.
In the large hall there was still a
| lingering twilight. At the foot of the
great staircase the servant was stand
ing with lady.
Il am very sorry, madam, the mas
ter is gone away, and the ladies are at
dinner" Lora heard him say.
Can | not waltz" was the reply, iii
broken German. TT is so hard to
! find the way in the dark. Show me
into the reception-room, and announce
me after the dinner is over"
"The servant retreated as Lora ap-
peared, like dark shadow in the dusk
of the corridor
"The lady wishes to see Frau
Becher," he announced
Il wish to speak to Frau Becher on
business said the stranger. who had
child beside her--a little boy, who
chung closely to her.
you wish to see me, or my mother
in-law?" asked Lora YEARLY.
Frau Becher," repeated the stranger
hesitatingly; and as at this moment
the chandelier in the hall was lighted,
Lora saw young face whose eyes
stared at her with an astonished ex-
preston.
You must mean my mother-in-law,
suppose" replied Lora. But will
you not"
"The mother of Adalbert Becher,"
gasped the lady.
Eyes. But will you not come up in
to my room, and wait for her? My
mother-in-la whas guests, and"
You are, my Cod you are"
Lora felt her arm grasped as in a
vice, so tightly the slender fingers
closed round it.
you are engaged to Adalbert
Becher?" the stranger said. in low
whisper
Engaged to him? No; | am his
wife. But-good God" cried Lora,
in terror. The stranger staggered,
and caught at the support of the
wroughtiron balustrade, leaning
against it like one crushed, with a
strange expression of horror in her
face.
His wife? His wife? That is not
true!" she gasped. 1T is simply impos-
sible.'
Come, mamma" entreated the
child.
Lora was bewildered. She drew her
hand across her aching brow. What
did this mean? Come upstairs with
me, | beg of you," she whispered,
leading the way.
The stranger summoned all her
strength and followed her
CHAPTER XXI.
The lamp, with the rose-colored
shade, was lighted in the boudoir. The
two women stood looking at each
other; Lora tall, proud, waiting, with
high-bred composure, for what she was
to hear; the other, holding the child's
hand, her head dropping, as if stunned
by sudden blow.
wit whom have I the pleasure of
spealxing?' asked Lora, pointing to a
chair.
The stranger, unable to stand any
longer, sank into it and drew the child
toward her.
Il am-pardon me if offend you-I
am Adalbert's-I am his wife, and this
is his SON.
Though she spoke in low tone al
first. she almost screamed out the last
words, covering her face with her
hands as if in despair.
Il must enTeat you," said Lora cold
", "to give me proofs of what you
say; cannot think any one would
have dared to deceive meme"
The stranger felt in her pocket, and
gave Lora some papers.
Here is my marriage certificate
and the certificate of baptism of the
child; we were married in St
Georges church, in New York, one
Sunday, madam. l came here to re
mind him of his duty as father
Since he left me for the last time-i
was a year and half ago-he has no
given me penny for my support; al
the letters | sent 10 him remained un
answered. If it were only for myself
would never have taken this step
L