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

agreeable, Sat1rlcaI manner; DuL herr
Won Bergen remained very calm, and
Hannah cast an imploring glance at
him, which he answered with a smile.
'T was obliged to pass him when I
went into the other room where the
piano was; my dress touched him, but
he did not perceive It. was not in a
uood for singing, and tie notes came
from my lips Enthusiastically. I
hardly observed that l was singing
the old song which had been sounding
in my ears all day. At the second
verse. there came back like a fash
the memory of that evening when I
had sung it first I saw him again as
he stood there and looked at me.
" Such enchantment, such rapture
Oh, stars of the night,
Could We only prolong it,
This dream of delight!
" Now the moonlight has faded,
The stars are all gone,
My lover has left me,
And I am alone
"Ah. the last verse was appropriate
now, I think l never sang it with
more expression. Hannah took her
hands from the keys and looked at me.
Gretchen, that pierces ones very
soul. What is the matter with you,
dear child"
/ In the next room sat the Countess
Satewski and smiled as She had done
| before, but the place behind her chair
was vacant; Eberhardt had disappear
! ed. Nor did he return, though his love
| Nv cousin sought for him all over the
castle. We did not see him again.
Hannah calmly took up her stocking,
and soon the needles were clicking
busiIy.
1t is incomprehensibIe, began
Ruth. Have our parents provided you
so badly with pocket money that you
have to do work of that kind?
oh, no; but you would not believe
what a condition his clothes are in.
You have no idea what a state an I'M
married lieutenant can get into. I
have my hands full to get everything
in order again.
own house, but not in company
I" I am at home here, and not in
company, and besides, l have got ac-
customed to being occupied. But if it
! is disagreeable to you, I will put down
my knitting very willingly
Oh, no; pray not said Ruth. am
tired, and will return to my room
She got up. Bon soir. hope I may. be
! better tomorrow
Il, too, arose and said Good night
I felt that I must be alone with my
heavy heart.
All, there is a knightly duty for
! the Herr Pastor to perform laughed
Ruth, turning back on the threshold
You cannot go all that dark, lonely
way alone
g I am very sorry not to be sbIe to
offer my escort to the Fraulein, but
have to go to the other end of the viz
lage,' remarked the young clergyman
coIdIy.
I can go alone; am not at all
afraid I replied, walking past Ruth,
who smilingly followed. In the corri-
dor we stood face to tace with each
other, and the smile vanished from
the charming face.
Perhaps another escort would be
more agreeable she whispered close
! in my ear 'Mamselle would perhaps
prefer to put her arm within that of
the handsome lieutenant? You are
still the same princess of old, who
imagined she could rival US. Then it
was
Ribbons, Countess Satewski, and
now it is the happiness of life. But do
not disturb yourself; I still have a
way and means to defend my belong
ings, without being forced to grasp
the weapons of coquetry and false
hood
Her eyes flashed, she seized rue by
the wrist. What do you aIIude 10, my
child? have no tendresse for the
Herr Pastor. I only meant that one
should be content, and not send love
letters to another secretly through
Anne Marie. Don't be frightened; I
don't know who the lucky person is
would Hannah and the virtuous Ber-
gen say. if they knew?'
This other person, Countess l
said, calmly and firmly, drawing my
self up and looking her straight in the
eyes, this other person has been my
betrothed for nearly half a year. It is
bad enough for me that circumstances
compel me to correspond secretly, but
cannot help it. But that other out
side persons, for whom the matter
possesses no sort of interest. should
dog my steps and medd4e in my affairs
and that Anne Marie is not faithful
guardian Of my secret, that is hard for
me, as l am defenceIess; but even
that I will overcome. But should any
one be 50 malicious as to SANDER me
to my betrothed, and to make insinua-
lions to him as if I we're not true to
him, will tear down every barrier,
Countess Satewski; I will tell the
truth and
" Well, and she asked with a
smile.
7 will tell it to Hannah and to
Bergen and your parents-the whole
world shall know what malice is con
cealed behind this white forehead
she laughed.
" Little fool! What are you fancy
ing? Well, we shall see. Good luck to
you! Only don't forget that your name
is Crete Siegismund, and that the
home Of your ancestors is down there