The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-06-15

how imposing she LOOKS, the Oiu
scarecrow-oh. she just wanted TO
tease me. I'm sure enough OF her
money"
Miss Knudsen took a letter from
her desk and looked at II long Will
an expression OF mingled sadness and
love, then she bowed her head ana
cried.
'Torben Krag, Torben krag. has II
really come to this" she whispered.
Eyes. II this had happened 20 years
ago many things would have turned
out different hut NJ that time he
never looked at me, and now he sends
mo letter like this" She remember
ed Fritzs laugh and his remark that
] many men would be delighted 10 have
her money. but would not care TO take
her in the bargain
'Oh. money: how IL brings out ev-
erything that is mean and low in
man. Even he, the noblest and
most charming OF them all
And while hot tears were still
binding her eyes Birgette Knudsen
took paper and pen and sat down TO
answer the only letter OF proposal she
had ever received during her life
Then she sent for her old friend.
Judge Buch. and they had long talk
together.
Two weeks had passed and IL was
| again cold dreary dark winter day
without any sun. without any snow
and Krag was tired and didn't know
what 10 do with himself For this
reason he was much more friendly
than usual when his old friend, Rec
tor Brandt, came in TO see him
Brandt was about the same age as
Krag but he looked old and tired
when seen together with the agent
and still lively chamberlain. They
sat together for while chatting
Krag smoking his cigar. Brandt his
! inevitable pipe. Suddenly Brandt ex-
claimed. "Oh. by the way. did you
hear that Miss Knudsen died this
morning."
Who"
'Birgette Knudsen, she died from
heart failure. Every one knew that
| she had had heart trouble for some
years but still the end came very un-
expectedly"
Krag stood up. smiled a little ner-
vously and said: lis that the reason
why you Jock so melancholy today
Brandt"
"Oh. nonsense. | might ask you
the same question, for you look very
pale just now. And then | have one
more piece OF news TO tell you-In
gler Holm. | mean Mrs. Bache, has
returned TO town"
Mrs. Bache. Is IL really true?
Inger Holn--how strange IL is that
she should come back TO her own
home"
Yes. her husband died about six
months ago and now she will have
TO do something for a living. for the
pension she gets is not enough to
keep her soul and body together.
Well. you can't complain now I have
given you two pieces OF news at
once"
Two
Yes, the death or Miss Knudsen,
and the homecoming OF Mrs. Bache.
but how strange you look-oh. now |
understand. niger Holm was an old
flame OF yours
Krag sat down heavily in his chair.
Miss knudsen dead He didn't know
whether he felt sad or relieved-oh.
yes, he would feel relieved for now
nobody would ever know how deep
he had sunk How I have felt ash
AIMED and miserable and disgusted
with myself ever since | received her
proud answer, but have never
thought as much of her as after that
letter. and now she's dead"
Knudsen felt uneasy and nervous.
felt like seeing people. so he went
out for his usual walk through the
streets of the town He knew every
house, every face. every flower pot
in the windows, every crease in the
curtains. But there was something
new; he didn't know that window;
he had never seen those draperies.
and outside was a sign: Rooms TO
Let" He went closer and saw the
name Bache on the door plate. II was
the Inger Holm whom he had known
years ago. and he stopped
thinking OF Miss Knudsen. Without
stopping To think he rang the bell.
A little boy with a pale face and big
blue eyes opened the door. just the
picture of his father. Krag said 10
himself There was no doubt he had
found the right place.
Mamma, there is a gentleman out
side who wants TO look al the rooms"
A slender blond lady. dressed In
mourning, came in, looked at Krag
closely, then smiled and extended her
hand
You are Chamberlain Krag, aren't |
you?"
so you really know me again, al |
though 1t is long time since we met |
last-20 years, | am sure?"
twenty-five" Many things have !
changed. but here In this little old |
fashioned town everything looks about
the same, and IL seems TO me as IL |
had been away from here only year
and a whole life time has passed
since I was here"
Have you been happy"
Happy, Yes-I have had many
sorrows, have lost two boys. | have
had many sad hours, but have been
happy after all. Now. since my hus-
hand died have only little Erland
left"
1T is almost impossible to believe
that so many years have passed. Mrs
Bache. for you look young and beau
tiful. as beautiful as you did when
we met last"
And you are just the same hatter.
er that you were many years ago.
How strange that we should part and
again meet here"
One has 10 be somewhere. | have
an apartment. but do not like IT, Let
me look at the rooms here, perhaps
| Will like them better"
Krag went home that day filled
with impressions OF memories OF
times gone by and the joys and sor-
| rows, and the disappointments Nof his
L ma nh he