Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-04-30
Continued.

the next day, when, for the first time
for years, there was to be a great
party at Castle Bendeleben. The mum,
erous invitations had all been accept
ed.
1--WE, of course, were delighted,
though not as we should have been
once. l almost thought Hannah shared
my taste, and would have preferred
remaining en- famille with her Bergen
My resolution to go and see Katharine
that day was not fulfilled. To tell the
truth, was afraid she would question
me about Eberhardt's unexpected ap-
pearance. She had looked at him SO
penetratingly, and today again in the
church; and after service had, so to
speak, slipped through her fingers,
though l could see she wanted to
speak to me. thought 1 would rather
go to see her tomorrow, before the
party. How glad one is to put off dis
agreeable thing!
CAS- if Katharine would put up with
that! She waited the whole day; and
as l did not come the next day, she set
off for the castle herself, for the sec
ond time, out of anxiety for me. HeT
faithful old heart drove her 20 look
after her fOster-child.
1T was already growing dark; the
preparations for the party in the even,
ing were all made. The gardner, who
had adorned the ballroom with orange
trees, had received his need of praise
the silver on the buffer shOne in dazzl
ing splendOr; the table in the dining,
room cleaned with its rich adorn
ments, and the servants were moving
softly up and down; in a word, a mo-
ment for repose had come, and we
had an hour or two for a comfortable
chat. AS I went upstairs to our turret
room, and was just considering
whether 1 should venture to go to the
village in the bad weather that had
come on since noon, | came upon
Eberhardt standing in a windOw-niche
as if he had been waiting for me.
Will you give me the first dance
this evening? he said, in a low tone
after holding out a few lovely roses
But don't forget, my love then he
went out, turning as he went to throw
me kiss.
! 81 nodded pleasantly to him, when
suddenly felt my arm seized.
" Gretchen, l thought as much
81 turned and stared into Katha,
rine's face, distorted by sorrow.
1t is too late she continued
there is nothing to be done now; I
may as we'll go She turned and walk,
ed away.
80 Katharine, listen to me; don't go!
I will tell you everything!' I cried
hurrying down stairs and catching her
by the shawl.
I don't need to know any more,
she scoIded, drawing her shawl VIC
IentIy out of my hands. The day be,
fore yesterday with you in our house
now, the roses and the kiss he threw
you, as if that was not plain enough!
All, l dreaded this, l knew it would
come. Why didn't you believe what
I told you?? she asked, sOrro wfully,
continuing her way down 3tairs. Poor
child!' l heard her murmur.
81 stopped involuntarily; a shudder
involuntarily passed over me and left
me cold and shivering; then l went
to the window where Eberhardt had
been standing.
There she was, going through the
avenue; the storm was tossing her
clothes about, and she had much ado
to get on. The whole landscape was
covered with a yellow light; heavy,
black clouds were rushing along the
sky; the wind had all been bowling
and singing through the wood tos-
sing about the bare branches, and l
could not overcome a strange
feeling, when I thought of the faithful
old Katharine.
" Tt is horrible storm said Han.
nah's maid, pleasant, quiet girl. 4
am sure all the people will never get
here. Just listen, FrauIein Gretchen
how it bowls through the air. It was
so beautiful yesterday. and now such
horrible weather!
Il nodded absentIy, and went into
our room. The last, faint daylight fell
upon our white dresses, which lay
spread out for the ball-how ugly they
looked! The roses in my hand looked
Notwithstanding seemed sc
uncanny in this ashy light.
'Katharine's words, Poor child,
kept coming back to me. would glad
ly have run to her and said:
Katharine, he loves me really;
see, here is my ring; and don't scold
me any more, but rejoice with mel
Shall l do it?' I said to myself
after a while, when it had grown
quite dark. had already got up tc
throw on my shawl, when gust Of
wind came round the old alls with
frightful violence, and a crashing and
banging followed from the roof.
Good heavens. Gretel! what hor
.1bIe storm cried Hannah, who was
just coming in the door. We shall
have the pleasure of eating our sup
per alone this evening, for l am sure
not a soul will stir out of the house
in such a storm as this. Mamma is
very much vexed because there is nc
letter from Ruth yet, and then with
the uncertainty whether any one viii
come or not. I suppose the nearest
neighbors may appear, but hardly the
Nordheims and the Belans and the
G. officers, unless they are already
on the way
But in any case we must be al
dressed by half past six she chatter
ed on, while I lighted the lamp, sc