The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-03-28
The Prettiest Cat in Wien.

By Ellis Meredith

When Martin Dornheim died IN
Colorado, he left his mother,ess daugh-
ter, Hilda, to his brother, Heinrich
Dornheim of Vienna Hilda was West
ern-born, and the strange uncle who
came all the way to the Rockies after
her regarded her with mingled emo
tons. She was so strong and self
reliant, yet so affectionate; so indie
pendent. yet so eager to please; SO
childlike in spite Of her seventeen
years, yet so womanly in her black
garments.
IF, now, she were going to johann
mes or Anna" he reasoned, "it would be
different. She could not be lonely with
all those young folks around her; but
with only Jaroslav and me, in my dull
old house, with prim old Katia, ach,
the Heimweh will come in spite OF
u.s."
He tried to prepare her for the
change as the steamer neared Hamburg
but she slipped her hand in his and
looked up with that odd look that
made him feel she was woman.
Don't worry" she said gently,
don't worry, Uncle Heinrich. Ever
since die Mutter died | have been used
to being alone with just my father and
/ would rather be with you and Cousin
Jaroslav than with a let of young
folks who were gay and happy; for
though do not mean to be sad, can
not help It sometimes, and should not
like to spoil their good times Be-
sides, shall see them often, nicht
wahr?" Then with a little laugh, IF
| do get homesick, Uncle Heinrich,
please will you get me kitten? Every
time think of my big gray Tomasso
that | left with Mrs. Schmidt at
Montrose there comes lump in my
throat.
But after whole year in Vienna
Hilda had never cNce shown sign OF
the dreaded homesicEness. She had
fitted into her uncles silent household
almost like a daughter Of the house,
and although old Katia was disposed
to look askance at her Americanerin
WAYS, Hilda soon won her over by her
praise for the great and wonderful city
OF Wien, where she found something
new and interesting every day. Fortu-
nately Hida had spoken German all
her life so she found little difficulty
in getting about by herself.
The girl wandered all over Mariahilf,
where one may yet see the old-fashion-
ed houses that remain from the mid
die ages: she saw the Hoher.Markt on
Christmas eve, when It loked like a
scene from a pantomime she spent
weeks in the galleries, days in the
museums. and many long entranced
hour in the gardens. She had the usu-
al disappointment when she learned
that the real Beautiful Blue Danube
does not flow directly through Vienna,
but she forgot it when she heard
Strauss himself lead his own orchestra.
One day, as her cousin went to his
Office, 4 noticed as he turned down
Josephine 'rasse asring posters that
told Of the European tour of famous
American band. He had a German
contempt for American music, but as
he read the name he remembered that
Hilda had spoken of the leader, and
would be almost certain to wish 10
hear him, If only because he came
from America. He bought the tickets
and telephoned TO Hilda to call for
her seat at the box-office and he would
Join her later at the concert. or at
least be there in time to take her
home. 1t was very late when he came
10 In, ha afe faI e
Prater, so late that he did not take his
seat, but stood at the. back Of the vast
hall.
Finally he deserted Hilds. She was
sitting a little apart and her face
was very white, as If she had put tre-
mendous strain upon herself. The last
number was medley of national airs
and as the band crashed into THE star
Spangled Banner" she rose and re.
NAMED standing, to the establishment
of her neighbors She had forgotten
them, the place, herself. everything
She was an American, listening to tht
buglecall Of her own country, and al
the notes gave way to those of The
Austrian national air, she buried hel
face in her hands, conscious for the
first time that she was a stranger il
a strange land.
Her cousin, watching her, knew thai
at last the dreaded Heimweh had come
She was merry that night. SO gay ant
full Of fancies that her uncle laughed
again and again at her jests; and 4
was not until she had gone to her room