Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-04-16
Continued.

ZUR 1dDudu5 VIM IcSN SHNAA~
passionate words?
My eyes turned to Eberhardt He
looked at me as if to say, DO you see
how good it is that our secret is not
known?
"Then he said, Pardon my intrusion
my dear uncle; I came to speak
good word for Bergen, but l see that
1t Is not the proper time; but please,
dear aunt. do not throw him over en-
tirely, without considering the mat
ter: have not known him very long,
but | am convinced he is an honor
able man: ask his colonel, he will give
him the most favorable testimonials.
"'Oh, please, dearest Frau Won Ben
deIeben,' I cried; Hannah will surely
be i'll. Do say yes, they love each
other so dearly
at was wrong Of you Gretchen,
said the baroness, harshly, as she got
IN from her chair very wrong, not to
have told me of this sudden passion
of Hannah's. How much unpleasant
ness might have been avoided!
but | did not know it, I replied,
firmly. I only heard Of it here just
now: but if Hannah / I'D really made
ne a COnfidante of her secret, would
never have betrayed her You have al
ways been present when we were to-
gether, Frau Baronin, and have had
the same opportunities OF knowing it
as I have
at is a miserable affair, miser-
able affair murmured the baron to
himself. What is to be done about it
now? Where is Bergen gone and what
did he say to my reasons for re-
fusing?' he inquired of Eberhardt.
He was very pale, uncle, when he
came to my room and asked what he
had better do, and whether there was
any little inn here in the village where
he could spend the night. l tried to
talk him out of it, but | am afraid he
is gone
Miserable affair, miserablc!' NUT,
tered the baron. But the young men
are like that nowadays-it is all OF
nothing with them. To be reasonable
and to take time to consider-that is
a thing they have not learned.
"T am going to Hannah | said
making my escape. The baron, who
had talked himself into a passion
broke out again: But of course, a
Herr Lieutenant, who hasn't penny
in the world, thinks it very fine
thing to build him a nest with the
money of pretty wife, and the lucky
father-in-law can see how he
II heard no more-I was already
outside. Oh, what a terrible misfor
tune this was; my mind was quite
confused, when I suddenly heard
steps behind me, | turned and found
myself before Herr Won Bergen. He
looked pale but his face lighted up as
he perceived me. Fraulein Gretchen,
he said will you carry a little mes
sage for me to Hannah?'
With all my heart | said.
o." Then tell her she must be calm
that it will all come right, and I shall
remain true to her. He pressed my
hand. and, closely wrapped up in his
cloak he went quietly downstairs
through the hall, heard the hall door
close-he was gone.
Hannah was lying upstairs on the
sofa. dissolved in tears She would
not hear of any comfort; even Der
gems message only produced a sOr
rOwfuI shake of the head. 1t is all in
vain she said, the tears flowing
again in great drops over her cheeks
all in vain; oh, if could only die!'
AT length, quite exhausted, she
leaned back on the cushions and press
ed the handkerchief wet with heI
tears against her throbbing temples
At this moment there came a gentle
knock at our door; Hannah did not
hear it, and l went out. Wilhelm Won
Eberhardt was standing in the little
anteroom in the dark.
" I wanted to inquire how Hannah
was he said, in a low tone; then
however he drew me closely to him
and while he pressed his lips to mine
he said, Gretchen, l am afraid we
shall have a great deal to struggle
against; don't lose your courage, how
ever, and above all things be silent
IN year I shall be of age, and then
can do whatever I like-tiu then nc
one must know. Your position in
the castle would be dreadful if any
one knew, or you would be sent away
altogether, and Hannah needs you
sorely. Don't you know of any good
trustworthy person, to whom I could
entrust letters for you, and who would
bring me your answers? I must hear
from you or I cannot bear it
My first thought was of Katharine
but no, she would never have en-
couraged a clandestine correspond
ence. Send your letters to the wife
of the castle gardner. I whispered
Anne Marie likes me, took care OF
her sick child All, Wilhelm, how
dreadful this secrecy isl
d" Do you want to forbid me the
house, he asked, and so rob me o.
my only opportunity of seeing you
have patience, I shall come in a year
from now, and then the whole world
shall know that you are my bride: anC
now for these last few minutes be
good and dear, and tell me that yor
love me. Tomorrow morning shall al
ready be far away across hill and walk
and cannot see your sweet face any
more. Goodbye, my dear, dear girl!
I cried and sobbed. for the agita
ton of this day had been too much TO-
me- | had hardly looked in his eye!
once when he was away again; all.
seemed to myself doubly lonely wheI
I sat down by Hannah again in ou