Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-06
An Inter1nezzo

most of the other guests at the FASH
ionable ball.
81 only came to stay for moment"
was his curt reply.
But please sit down." the beauti-
full girl whispered. Il enticed you
here tonight just to have few words
with you, and I know that you will
stay If / really want you, won't you,
doctor?"
He bowed silently and sat down.
1--WE have not seen each other for
three years, doctor, and / confess that
I have looked forward to this meet
ing with great Joy. AS soon as l heard
that you were once more back in Ber-
lin / told mother it was absolutely
necessary for US to give another ball,
and the first card sent out was ad-
dressed to YOU"
A strange expression came into the
serious face as he replied:
This was something that I had
hardly dared hope for from you, mad
ame."
"You are still unforgiving. Is 1t
then not possible to correct past
error when one has grown to be three
years older since 1t was committed"
There are errors which never can
be corrected, mistakes which can
never be forgiven because they have
destroyed something which cannot be
brought back to life"
Did you then really take 1t 30 much
to heart that did not say yes right
away?"
Take 1t to heart! You killed some
thing in me-"
Which cannot be brought back to
life. doctor?"
NO"
His reply was so curt that she
looked at him In surprise.
AT that time you looked upon me
as one Of the men who did not give
away their love. You looked at me
as a young, poor physician who was
hunting for rich young wife to open
the way into society for him. Is that
not true?"
She hesitated. Then she said quick
ly: Il have many faults, doctor, but
may say this about myself, cannot
tell a lie. And therefore l must say to
you now that what you just said was
true"
"Well-and by distrusting me you
killed something In me which can
never be brought back to life"
But when It Is like that, doctor,
when you feel as you do, why did you
accept our invitation"
81 came to guard you against
calamity"
How serious that sounds"
1T is serious, Miss ,Erna. By acct
dent I heard during my first visit to
our medical society that young man
was seeking your hand in marriage
and that he had every prospect OF
success. 1t may have been an acct
dent. or maybe my friend told me on
purpose to see what impression this
news would make upon me. You
know there are friends OF that kind.
did not show any emotion, but when
I heard the name of your sutton It
took my whole effort to remain quiet.
I do not want to ask any questions.
cannot spy, but when your invitation
came I accepted 1t as hint from
Providence. Here at this ball must
find out for sure If the rumor was
true, and I saw it was as soon as
had entered the ballroom. For the
very first gentleman whom / saw you
dancing with was he.'
Herr Won WALTZ"
YES. Herr Won Wall. You know
whom ] mean"
But we are not yet engaged" Erna
exclaimed: that is to say"
THAT Is to say, We are going to be
engaged" the doctor replied, compiet-
ing her sentence. Now I will tell
you what seems to me duty. Herr
Won Wall was my first patient and
know thGt he Is living life which is
running him physically and morally. l
have tried everything to make him
change his ways. l have told him that
he is practically committing suicide,
but it was no use. have found out
other things about him which justify
me in telling you that Herr Won Wall
is q scoundrel, aud that the young
girl who marries him will become as
unhappy as a woman can ever be.
Now l have done my duty and with
your permission l shall leave"
He arose slowly and was about to
*urn away from her when she took his
hand.
stay" she whispered. Il thank you
for your sacrifice, and it is hardly
necessary for me to say that l believe
you. But what do YOU want me TO
do now?"
That is for you to decide, Miss
Erna. have done my duty. My re-
ward will be the knowledge Of having
saved you from a dreadful fate. II
had wanted any other reward l should
not have dared to speak"
She threw herself on q couch, bury