Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-04-04

denly from her reclining posture,
nodding with a winning smile TO-
ward a tapestry door which noise
lessly opened at one side. On the sill
appeared the two young persons
whom Elizabeth had recently observ-
ed through the spy-glass. But how
peculiar they looked here, standing
side by side! Won Hollfeld, an almost
too tall, slender figure, bent far to
one side to afford support to the
small hand that rested upon his arm.
The sylph-like being that had reposed
upon the couch was a wholly distort-
ed childish figure. The head per
fectly beautiful even at this moment,
was set low between the shoulders,
and the crutch in her right hand
showed that the limbs too must be
unequal
Pardon, dear Helene" exclaimed
the baroness, that I am obliged to
trouble you to move here, but you
you see I am the poor tortured Lag
uras again, upon whom you always
are exercising your angelic goodness.
Fraulein Ferber'-she waved to
Elizabeth, introducing the young
girl-"has been so kind as to come
in reply TO my note Of yesterday
the depths of my heart" said the
For that | am grateful to you from
young lady, with winning smile,
giving Elizabeth her hand Her
glance measured the newcomer with
admiring surprise, and fastened at
last upon the blond braids beneath
her hat. All! yes" she said, your
beautiful golden hair l have seen be-
fore-while walking in the woods
yesterday; you We're leaning over the
wall, up at the old castle"
Elizabeth blushed still more deep-
ly.
But just because you were there, ,
continued Helene, Il lost the pleasure
for the sake Of which [ had climbed
up the mountain side-purely to hear
you playing as l had done on the pre-
yiOus evening. So young and child
like, and possessed of such deep ap-
probation of classical music! how Is
it possible? You will make me very
happy II you will often play with me-"
Something resembling disapproval
fitted over the face of the baroness,
and fine observer would not have
missed the slight contemptuous
smile in the corners of the mouth.
But it was wholly lost upon Elizabeth
for her attention was absorbed by the
the unfortunate young lady, whose
SIIVery voice seemed to come direct
ly from her heart.
Won Hollfeld had meanwhile push.
ed fauteuil to the side of the coucn
for Fraulein Won Wade. Then he
departed, without having uttered one
word. Because he left the room by
the door which stood directly opposite
Elizabeth, she could not fail to OBJ
serve that his departing glance rest
ed upon herself as he slowly closed
the door. She was actually terrified
at the way in which he stared at her.
1t was so extraordinary that she ex-
amlned her dress in silence. ponder
ing whether it could possibly be too
conspicuous
Fraulein Won Wade Interrupted
these reflections with the question
to what teacher Elizabeth owed her
exquisite playing; whereupon Eliza,
beth related that her mother alone
had Taught her, and that she had. In
deed, no one else than her parents to
thank for all that she had been able
to learn.
During this recital Bella had been
crouching upon the floor, playing with
the dog. 1t would have been a charm.
ing picture if the whining and the ex-
cited movements of the animal had
not proved that it was being tortured
After each loud cry from the little
dog, at which Fraulein Won Waldo
started painfully, the baroness cried
as though mechanically:
Stop those tricks, Bella child"
But finally, when the animal broke
out with a shrilI howl of pain. she
raised her finger threateningIy to the
naughty little child and said:
81 shall have to call Miss Mertens.-
''Ah!' replied the little girl con-
temptuOusly, she dare not punish
me. You forbade her strictly"
At that moment a tapestry door
opened quietly, and pale woman
entered. Bowling ttmidly before the
ladies, she said:
The chaplain is waiting for Bella.
But I will not have any lesson to-
day. exclaimed the child, taking
ball of worsted cotton from the
table and throwing it to the down
trodden creature upon the floor.
My child, you must said the bar
oness. 60 with Miss Mertens;
that's a good girl"
Bella sat down in tauteu1l and
drew her feet, as though the matter
concerned her as little as Ali, who
had taken refuge behind the sofa.
1 he governess appeared to wish to
approach her. but wrathful glance
from the baroness sent her back to
the door This disgusting scene
would probably have continued a long
time if the baroness had not produced
auxiliary forces in the shape OF bon
bons. The small girl, having filed
mouth and pockets with sweetmeats,
left her place, and pushing away the