Show an intermezzo t how nice of you to come the daughter of the house whispered to a gentleman in evening dress whose serious face was in strong contrast to most of the other guests at the fash conable ball I 1 only came to stay tor for a moment was his curt reply but please sit down the beautt ful girl whispered I 1 enticed you here tonight juat jut to have a few words with you and I 1 know that you will stay it if I 1 really want you wont won t you doctora he bowed silently and sat down we have not seen each other for three years doctor and I 1 confess that I 1 have looked forward to this meet ing with great joy As soon as I 1 heard that you were once more back in ber lin I 1 told mother it was absolutely necessary tor for us to give another ball and the first card I 1 sent out was ad dressed to you A strange expression came into the serious face lace as he replied this was something that I 1 had hardly dared hope tor for from you mad ame you are still unforgiving Is it then not possible to correct a past error when one has grown to be three years older since t was committed 7 there are errors which never a cail 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 it so much to heart that I 1 did not say yes right awaya take it to heart you killed something in me which cannot be brought back to life doctor no his ills 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 a rich young wife to open the way into society tor for him Is that not true she hesitated then she said quick ly I 1 have many faults doctor but I 1 may say this about myself I 1 cannot tell a lie and therefore I 1 must say to you now that what you just said was true well and by distrusting me yot killed something in me chichi which C call never be brought back to life 1 but when it Is like that doctor when you feel as you do why did vou accept our Invitation 7 9 I 1 came to guard you against a calamity how serious that sounds it la Is senous miss erna by BB ay aa acci cc cc 11 dent I 1 heard during my first visit to our medical society that a young man was seel ing your hand in marriage and that he had every prospect ot of success it may have been an acci dent or maybe my friend told told me on purpose to see what impression this news would make upon me you know there are friends of that kind 1 I did not show any emotion but when I 1 heard the name of your suitor it took my whole effort to remain quiet I 1 do not want to ask any questions I 1 cannot py but when your invitation came I 1 accepted it as a hint from providence here at this ball I 1 must find out for sure if the rumor was true and I 1 saw it was as soon as I 1 had entered the ballroom for the very first gentleman whom I 1 saw you ng with v ith was he herr von wall I 1 les es herr von wall you know whom I 1 mean but dut we e are not yet engaged brna erna exclaimed that Is to say that Is to say we re are going to be engaged the doctor replied ing her sentence now I 1 will tell you what seems to me a duty herr von wall was my first patient and 1 I 1 now that he Is living a life which Is ruining him physically and morally 1 have tried everything to make him change his ways I 1 have told him that he is practically committing suicide but it was no ue tice I 1 have found out other things about him which justify me in tilling you that herr von wall is a scoundrel and that the young girl who marries him will become as unhappy as a woman can ei ever er be now I 1 have done my duty and with your permission I 1 shall leave he arose slowly and was about to turn away from her when she took his hand sta she whispered I 1 Ithan thank kyou you for 0 o r sacrifice and it is hardly necessary for me to say that I 1 believe you but ahat hat do you want me to do nowa that Is for you to decide mies migs erna I 1 have done ma m duty ply re ward will be the knowledge of having saved you from a dreadful fate if 1 I had wanted any other reward I 1 should not have dared to speak she threw herself on a couch bury ing her face in her bands hands and it seemed as if she were viere crying when she the looked up again he had gone and he mother came rushing into the email small boudoir but child where have you been and how Is 1 it that you look so I 1 really believe you have yes mamma I 1 have but it its s all over it was only a littie intermezzo she looked at her dance card I 1 suppose I 1 have to go back to work now |