Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-08-29

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that any interposition on her part
would call forth a plying smile or a
shrug from her son, and would affirm
him effectually in any intention.
| borrower, for herself and her interest,
it was important that Helene had
taken the matter into her own hands,
and seemed to wish to carry it through
with a sort of enthusiasm Of self
sacrifice. Though perfectly in the dark
as to the motives of this extraordinary
state of affairs, she yet felt instinct
| lively that there was no disadvantage
to be feared, and therefore determined
| quickly though with rage in her heart,
to make a good face in the game and
assume the role of the forgiving and
! blessing mother. But EIizabeth's re
plies suddenly shut her up again. The
| hope uawned upon her that the girl
| herself would spoil the match with
her obstinacy, and the baroness had
/ merely to pour oil upon the flames.
Chat is a narrow-minded idea, my
dear" said she to Helene, who had
been perplexed by Elizabeth's re-
plies. you may, however, have your
valid reasons for avoiding the light
of the higher regions" she observed
in biting tone, turning to Elizabeth.
Il have no cause for fleeing from
the light, replied the girl, speaking
far more calmly and composedly than
before, unless it should suddenly re
| veal unsupported ugly traits in my
| character, just as it reveals the spots
in the ecutcheon. But we love our
name because it is honorable and
stainless and shall not exchange this
blameless inheritance for a possession
| that the tears and sweat of others
have borne to greatness"
Heavens, how exalted" exclaimed
the baroness, laughing cynicalIy.
"This cannot be serious, Elizabeth"
Helene said. DO not forget that the
happiness of two human lives depends
upon this decision" She darted a sig
n1hcant glance at the young girl, but
| it seemed not to be understood "You
must bring your noble name into the
belong. You know this as we'll as do,
| and you surely will not destroy your
own hopes and those of others for
| the sake of a whim."
"But | am utterly unable to compre-
bend you!" exclaimed Elizabeth, ex-
citedly. 1T does not enter my mind
| to connect any hopes whatsoever with
| that name. Least of all can I under
! stand how the hopes of others can de-
! pend upon a decision reached by such
a poor Insignificant CIR
You are not poor, dear child" res
| ponded Helene. Come" she contin-
ued, with great emotion; from this
day we are sisters. Is it not so Ru-
dolph?" she continued, turning with
some embarrassment to her brother.
you, too, welcome EmiPs betrothed
| into our family, and approve of my
sharing everything with her in sister1y
,, fashion,"
Eyes" came the answer hoarse but
firm.
Elizabeth drew her hand across her
| brow. What she had just heard sound
ed SO incredible. Ennis betrothed. "
FTaulein Won Wade had said, and
meant herseIf-Elizabeth ImpossibIel
Had all these people conspired to ter
| rlfy her? And he, who knew that she
detested Won HolIfeId, joined them.
He stood there, opposite her, with
folded arms, picture of unyieIding
sey Gritty and repuIsion. He had been
| standing mOtiOnless the whole time
! and now opened his lips only to utter
a yes which had an excruciating
force for the girl. Had he not. on a
| former occasion, sou hit, in the rough
est way, to hinder his cousins ad-
| VanceS toward her? Suddenly a fash
! of tightening seemed to strike her at
that thought, Illuminating the prob
lem. She was of the nobility now
Hollfeld's genealogical tree would no
longer be dishonored by a civilian
| name; hence the readiness of his rel
atlVes to support him in his wooing:
| hence Helene's disappointment at her
| declaration that she scorned the name
which had fallen to her lot. But how
did it happen that they all assumed a
complete understanding between her
| self and this man whom she loathed ?
! This question she could not answer,
, for her thoughts were in an unspeak-
able tumult. One thing only was clear
that she must instantly repel that
| imputatiOn most vigorously.
Il see that there is some misunder
standing, the origin Of which 1 cannot
fathom," she said hastily. ct was
Herr Won HollfeI''s clear duty to clear
! the matter up; but since he prefers to
keep silence l am obliged to speak,
to declare that he has never, never
received any promise from me?"
But, dear child" objected Helene.
! hesitatingly, did We not see with our
| own eyes when we came in that"
Here she broke off.
| These words came like a thunder
clap to Elizabeth. In her pure, limo
| cent soul the fear had not for a mo-
ment arisen that that moment of ter
ror and helplessness could be mis-
understood. And now with infinite
pain she discovered that it had been
made to place her i'll a detestabIe
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