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

The young wife stretched out her
hand to him. Uncle. tell me all
about yourself"
He translated this to mean: Let
il be: it is of no use. Don't ask me
about it. must dree my weird"
He opened his lips to ask ques-
ton, but he closed them again, for just
then Frau Elfrieda rustled in, her
cheeks blue with cold, and greeted
"his excellency' with such flood of
words, that Il was impossible for him
to answer her at all. He looked down
from mis- stately height upon this
over-dressed little person, and he
lifted his bushy eyebrows with the
slightest suggestion of a smile.
"And your excellency will spend
the day with us?"
Frau Elfrieda nearly melted with
softness, as she brought out these
words with the sweetest smile.
"Lorchen, child, you must know
does his excellency prefer feather
bed or a hair mattress? Officers are
so peculiar, generally, about their
beds. OF course his excellercy will
prefer Lorchen's modest guest-room,
, so Frederick shall bring his excel
lency's baggage from the hotel at
once"
81 thank you, madam" replied the
general, but it is against my prin-
ciples to stay in private house"
But, William, you will spoil all
Lora's pleasure in her first guest in
her charming house" cried Aunt Mel
ltta.
"Lora, you will not be hurt? 1t Is
quite impossible, madam"
"No, uncle" replied Lora.
ooh, how sorry | am" complained
Frau Elfrieda, "but | must go and see
about getting you something to eat as
soon as possible Auf wiedersehen
Dearest Frauleip Won Tollen," she con-
tinued, "can speak to you for one
moment?'
Aunt Melitta followed Frau Becher
out with an air of great importance.
After they had gone an almost pain
full stiffness reigned in the little room
in which the uncle and niece sat to-
gether alone.
God bless my SOUL thought the
old gentleman. He did not venture
even to look at Lora. He thought, with
her refined feelings, she must be SO
! ashamed of this common old woman
who was her mother-in.law.
'Lorchen," he said at length, ''you
| look miserable, and your mother says
you have grown so strange; have con
fidence in me-are things not Nght
| here?"
Yes. uncle; oh, yes"
HIM"
They were silent again, and nothing
could be heard but the ticking of the
| little clock. Lora looked as If she
would like to say, "0f what use would
it be, uncle? You cahnot help me-"
The generals honest old heart
ached for her, What happened TO the
| girl? And he was so confoundedly
clumsy, he did not even know how to
go to work to find out whether it was
her fathers death that made her un-
happy or--h'm. 1T is hard, child,
| that you should have so much trouble.
| just at the beginning of your married
life"
She nodded. Where did you get
the news?" she inquired, and when he
said, In Cairo" she began hurriedly
| TO Inquire about his Journey. he was
| hardly able 10 answer her, her voice
sounded so nervous. so constrained.
/ She was thinking of something quite
different She would like to tighten
her burden by confding in him. but
would he understand?
In few minutes she took his arm
TO go down to her mother-in-law's din
ingroom, on the floor below.
Frau Elfrieda had set out all the sill
yer of which she was possessed, in
honor of his excellency," Though
! early, it was already dusk in the dark
| oakpanelled room therefore the gas
was lighted in the old German chand'
elier over the table, which sparkled
with glass and silver, In the fireplace
| n huge log glowed and cracked. The
thick Smyrna rug spread itself oui
soft and warm, over the oaken floor
Ii was comfortable, harmonious
room. the only note of discord beins
produced by two dreadful oil-paint
ings, genre pictures after some cele
brated originals in the Dresden Gal
lery. the one representing dead game
and fish. the other fruits and glass
of Rhine wine,
The general sat with his back TO The
carved buffet at the small end OF the
| table. Lora and her mother-in-law Oh
either side. and Aunt Melitta opposite
The conversation, led by Frat
E!frieda. turned on the death of Major
Won Tollen and the condition in whief
he had left his wife and children, {
topic not particularly cheerin for his
family.
Your exeellency may rest as
sured," simpered Frau Becher, putting
her handkerchief to her eyes, Just a:
the servant entered with another
course. that we shall help them when
| 4. =,