Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-06-25

Who wrote TO you, Ruth, that
your presence was so necessary" p
asked the baron.
" That is just it, said Eberhardt.
She says she had letter from Wen
IA. but from whom? That she has
not confided in me-
THE young wife suddenly looked
down in embarrassment.
TT is enough that is is So she re-
Piled I. had a letter, and am going,
in any case. Papa, can look at my
travelling-carriage tomorrow? 1t has
been here ever since that time. hope
II is in such condition that I can use
it; it was quite new then
oh, that is all right said the
baron. When are you going?'
AS soon as possible; the day af-
ter tomorrow, I think
Eberhardt got up.
Shall we smoke d cigar in your
room, papa? he asked, and the two
gentlemen left the room.
"As soon as they were gone, a per-
| feet storm OF reproaches against. her
husband burst from the lips of his
wife. The bitter words smote me to
the heart, and like a fash of light
ming the certainty came to me that the
| was not happy. Where was the halo of
| perfection that had surrounded the
handsome couple as they stood to-
gether before the altar in the little
| church. The radiant smile had van
ished from his lips, weary express
sion rested on the proud mouth; and
she-she must indeed be emoittered
against him when she could drag his
faults and his faiIings so ruthlessIy
into the light, and in my presence.
Her anger overpowered her dis
erection; or was it because she had
nothing more to fear from the pale,
worn girl who listened to her hard
words with Mortified face?
| I tell you, mamma, I cannot en-
dure it. This miserable, commonplace
existence, these stupid virtuous geese
of officers wives, these horrible coffee
! parties. where they sit with Their knit
ting and drink their thin coffee and
! talk about servants and babies! Every
time an invitation like that comes,
and I want to refuse, it is always;
You must go; the majors wife or
/ the captains wife might not like it. -
And they look at me, the stupid
! things, as if I were some wonderful
wild animal, and they talk of extrav-
! agance and so OF. Good heavens, how
! I used to live! An, my Vienna, my
| beautiful Vienna. and now I am
| grudged even a short visit there
Why, Ruth, you are out of your
senses; you dent know what you are
| saying. You ought to be as much inter
ested in servants, and above all, in
children, as the rest OF them. What
interests have you, if not your child
and his education?'
Oh, dear, yes replied the coun-
! tess; the boy is we'll enough and he
! is pretty, but I cant give up my life to
him as Eberhardt does; he would like
me to carry him about the whole day
in the attitude Of a MurilIo Madonna. I
am young still; I want to dance, I
want admiration, I will not play the
/ part Of commonplace housewife. But
half the town raise their hands n holy
horror at my conduct and my toilets
and at everything I do; it is enough
/ TO drive one mad But that wouldn't
matter at all, if only Eberhardt-'
She stopped suddenly.
d" You let your anger run away with
/ p1Irh i'll
/ reprovingly, even if you have any
reason for discomfort Ny advice to
you is not to make such scenes too
often, or you will soon blunt Your hus,
bands affection for you, and in time
/ he will become Indifferent to you
" oh, indeed!' she laughed. MY
! dearest mamma, he is that already.
feel now that we are only held to-
/ gether by a slender thread # the
/ child
/ Ruth! For heavens sake! are you
mad?' cried Frau Won BendeIeben.
For shame, to say such things here
before me; do you forget entirely what
you owe to yourself and to me?'
The beautiful woman shrugged her
shoulders, looked at me, and laughed
aloud.
What a Mortified face this pale
child has put on! You don't like it,
little one, that any one should find
fault with your ideal-for that is what
he used to be! l am sure you are say
ing to yourself, q would have made
him happier" Mon Dieu, have often
regretted that you
Here Frau Won Bendeleben's hand
fell heavily on Ruth's shoulder. Not
another world she said turning very
pale, while a hot flush of anger and
shame mounted to my cheeks. Until
now I thought the tone of irritation in
your letters and your words was the
consequence of your delicate condi-
ton. But was mistaken; you are now
quite we'll, and I see how matters
stand. Your marriage is not a happy
one; that is terrible for mother to
witness! and l pity you as well as
your husband from the bottom of my
heart. But your scornful words leave
me in no doubt TO whom belongs the
blame
Don't be too tragical, mamma,
said Ruth. I'VE shall drag along I'm
der our yoke for while longer, and,
besides, hope to bring back a little
courage from Vienna I can go with
out any anxiety, for he will sit by the
cradle day and night
"Eberhardt hooked as pale as
GHOST when We found ourselves seated