Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-06-04

" Anne Marie, I said, in great indig-
nation, what have you done with my
letter? You have i'll repaid my trust
in you
I? Gracious, Fraulein Gretchen,
how can you say that?'
People know about it. 1t vas for
that you were afraid Of me, and would
not once come TO the village
How can you think such thing?
Karl was so i'll just then, so sent
MaZel with the letter. He told me he
had delivered it safely
" When, Anne Marie?'
Last Monday, Fraulein.'
I did not get it, assure you
&" ooh, goodnessI What a story he
told! He said Fraulein had taken it
herself on the bridge in the park;
she had thanked him and patted him
on the head, and so he came straight
home again
1t was not I, Anne Marie. The
letter has fallen into the wrong hands.
" oh, my gracious! I am innocent;
I cannot help it Fraulein Gretchen
g Please, Anne Marie, come to me
tomorrow with Maxel. must know all
about it, so I entreat you to come
of course! Yes, tomorrow morn
ing, only don't be angry with ma
81 walked on in feverish hasto-now
I knew how the beautiful widow had
discovered my secret. 1t was { NAL
icious fate that had put the letter in
to her hands. He had perhaps waited
| Iongingly for an answer, while / was
nearly beside myself with grief and
anxiety at his silence. Who could
know what this intriguing woman
| might say to him, to make him doubt
| me? She desired a plaything to in
demnify her for the duIlness of heT
) widowhood. and in that capacity her
handsome cousin was welcome; how
! fatal, then, that she should discover
that he had a serious liking for the
| hated cIergyman's daughter! This
must be overcome; heaven only knew
what internal means she had taken tt
/ accomplish this.
" j
: thoughts whirIed through my aching
head; give me an opportunity to see
him, to speak with him; he must be
! convinced that it is all a ie-he mus
see through her trick
+ cat this moment, just as I was go
j ing to cross the little bridge, a tall
dark figure came toward me- he
stood still for a moment before me, il
surprise.
Eberhardt! Wilhelm!' cried out
in the anguish Of my tortured heart
and tried to put my arms round hi
neck. Wilhelm, I can bear it no long
er! I shall die if you are so cruel Il
me!'
HE stepped aside quickly, and m,
arms dropped to my side. Putting hi
hand to his cap and making me a low
bow, he made room for me to pass
there was such scorn IN his Ittitud,
that I was quite beside myself, ant
with clasped hands I went up to hin
and said, entreatingly:
" 'Eberhardt, for heavens sake
don't be so horrible! be mercifuI!
cannot bear it any longer; listen t.
met
Another low bow, then he drew hi'
cloak around him, strobe past me, ant
disappeared from my sight in the
darkness.
81 stared in the direction ne hat
| taken, as if I could pierce the dark
ness with my eyes. 'WiIhelm!' I tried
to call, but no words passed my lips
my knees shook, and l sank down or
the wet ground, and struck nv fore
head against the rail of the bridge
The violent pain kept me from faint
! ing; with a strong effort 1 got Up an6
pressed my han against my bIeedng
forehead. The fine rain continued tt
| fall, the waves of the little river muir
INJURED and beat against the bridge;
all nature was dark and gloomy; but
still darker and gloomier was It with
in me. Jump in and it will all be
over whispered a voice within; 1T is
only a little jump! Many have found
rest like that leaned far over the
! low railing. nd stretched my hands
out Of the water.
To be continued.