Lottie of the mill

Chapter I

A CHEERY wood fire crackles in the wide-mouthed fireplace of the Baroness Derenberg’s room, giving a friendly and home-like air to the apartment and all its old-time appurtenances. A young girl of scarce fourteen years sits in one of the deep window recesses peering out into the fading twilight of the short winter day ; her delicate profile is sharply defined against the light background of the window; her slender hands are clasped together, and her thoughts are evidently wandering far away.

Mamma,” says she then suddenly, turning a head of light curly locks to the pale lady who is sitting by the fireside knitting, — mamma. Army is again staying unaccountably long in grandmamma’s room ; we shall not be able to go to the mill, and we should have been there before this. Army has only eight days’ furlough, and four have already past. He promised for certain to go with me to-day, — what will Lottie think of his not yet having been there ?”

The young girl, at these words, arose and approached

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her mother ; there was an expression of ill humor and impatience upon the childlike face.

Be patient, Nelly,’’ answered the mother, patting the glowing 5ieek of her daughter. You know, if grandmamma wishes Army to stay, he must remain as long as she says ; she has much to talk over with him. Practise patience, my dear. It is so necessary for this life. Now light the lamp, for you know there are still various articles among Army’s linen to be finished.”

The slender girlish figure with the still childlike form glided almost noiselessly over the tiled floor, and soon the lamp lighted the room, which now appeared doubly friendly in its old-fashioned and yet comfortable arrangement. The baroness, too, arose and took a seat at the large round table. The light from the *lamp now fell upon a pale, interesting countenance, on which trouble had plainly engraved many lines.

Her little daughter opposite bore her features ; at this moment the blue eyes under the long lashes brightened, for a firm, elastic step sounded without in the corridor. Presently the door of the room opened and a handsome young officer entered. The glowing beams of youthful happiness were reflected in his countenance. Nelly hastened to meet him. Dear Army, how nice that you have come ! Now we can still go to the mill,” said she, raising herself on tiptoe and coaxingly throwing her arms around Army’s neck. I will quickly get my hood and cloak, for we must not tarry long ; they have supper punctually at the mill.”

She was about to run off joyfully. Nelly,” called the young man, placing his hand upon her shoulder, no more of that ! It — it is no longer becoming for us/’ he added, hesitatingly.

It is no longer becoming for us ?” The young girl looked up inquiringly at her brother.

“ No, Nelly ; you must be sensible. As a child, one may associate with whom one wishes, but as an officer, it does not do ”

But you certainly may visit Lottie ; you have always gone there so gladly.”

Oh, Army,” said the baroness, “ you are not in earnest ! They are very respectable people, those at the mill, and have meant kindly towards you ; it would be ungrateful ”

But, mamma, I pray you,” and his dark eyes glanced indignantly ; they are considered uncultivated people.

Imagine, if the miller should happen to travel to B

and come in quest of me t I should be in a most embarrassing situation.”

^^They are not uncultivated people!” cried Nelly, and only grandmamma, who cannot tolerate the ragmillers, has said that to you.”

^^Bag-millers! There we have it!” laughed the young officer. Let each one remain in his own station ! Even you, Nelly, will never be able to change affairs, and when your first long dress trails behind you — then farewell Lottie !”

Never !” exclaimed the young girl quite excitedly. I should run to the mill by night, if it were forbidden me by day. Lottie is my only friend. What shall I give as a reason for your not coming?” She burst into tears.

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There certainly can be a reason found, Nelly. Don’t cry,” said her brother, consolingly. His voice seemed tender ; exactly as* it once did when he had struck his sister’s pet dog and did not know with what to comfort her.

^^Oh, is it not so. Army?” she now asked, and looked so hopefully up at him : you were only trying to tease me, — we are going to the mill, are we not ?”

He stood there motionless for one moment ; before him appeared the well-known figure of a little girl, as he had seen her a hundred times before, — Lottie, ragmiller’s Lottie, from the mill below ; she gazed at him with her bright blue childish eyes ; her red lips were parted. ‘^Army, are you coming? We will go to Muhme, she will give us an apple ; and I have seen a bird’s nest too in the park. Come, Army, come !”

Mechanically he made a movement as though to take his cap, which lay upon the table. The light of the lamp struck a sparkling ring on his hand, on the green stone of which glittered the coat of arms of the Derenbergs; his gaze was quickly directed to it, and hastily seizing his cap, he threw it on to another table near at hand.

Do not bother me !” he said, briefly, and turned away.

A long pause followed; the young girl arose, and then sat down again in her former place, bending her little head low over her work ; but the slender fingers guiding the needle trembled violently, and great drops fell from her eyes upon the white linen. The baroness sighed, and, with a pained expression, fastened

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her eyes upon her son, who unceasingly strode up and down the room. The old time-piece struck six and commenced playing a long-forgotten love-song; the sweet, tender melody reverberated through the room, and yet upon the three whom the tenderest love united rested the silence that usually follows a misunderstanding.

Army,’^ said at last the pale lady, ^^when did grandmamma give you the ring which you are now wearing on your hand

He remained standing by the fireside, and as he thrust the poker into the glowing coals, causing the sparks to fly upwards, answered, This afternoon, — when I was in her room.^^

*^And do you know that it is your father^s ring. Army ?”

The young man turned around suddenly. ^^No, mamma, grandmamma did not tell me that ; she spoke

only of the signification of the coat of arms, and

Then, my child, I will tell you,” came from the lips of the baroness, and it seemed as though her voice trembled with inner emotion. It is the ring that grandmamma once drew from the hand of your father when he — lay cold in death.” The last words sounded like a half-smothered cry, as the speaker sank back exhausted in her chair.

“My dear, good mamma!” cried Army, and was quickly at her side, while Nelly, bending over her, pressed her cheek against the tearful countenance. “ Ho not cry, dear mamma !” he begged ; “ I will value the ring as highly as only a son can who is proud of the

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memory of his father ; I will try to be as good, as noble as he was.”

In these words, in the look with which he gazed upon his weeping mother, there still lay the full conviction of an uncorrupted childlike heart, the entire devotion which sees in a dead father the best of men. But the effect of his words was almost startling. The baroness raised her slender figure; she stared almost vacantly at her son, and, Army, merciful heaven !” she cried, in a tone of despair. Oh, only not that, not that!”

“ Mamma is ill,” said her son, and hastened towards the bell-rope. But a faint, Come back, Army I I feel better now,” brought him to her side. She thankfully took a glass of water, and said, while trying to smile,

I have alarmed you, my poor children. The remembrance of your father’s death is, even to-day, a terrible one to me ; but -now, as Army is in the act of entering upon life, I must speak to you of the past, which until now I have always endeavored to avoid. You have very likely wondered secretly,” she continued, after a short pause, that we live such a singular, retired life, — a life that is truly without a luxury. Ah, Army, not on my account does it pain me, only on yours. You enter life under the most adverse circumstances that one can imagine, brought on by the most thoughtless extravagance of your ” She suddenly paused,

checked by the thought that she was saying too much, and then burst into bitter tears.

Army stood with gloomily-knit brows by the fireside, and looked towards his mother ; the sunny expression on his face had vanished and one of bitter disappointment taken its place.

When I entered here by your father’s side, a mere child of sixteen years,” again proceeded the baroness, found very great splendor and brilliant society. For many long years Castle Derenberg was celebrated for its hospitality, and grandmamma understood how to entertain. She was beautiful at that time, almost as fascinating as the large portrait up-stairs in the gallery, and she loved splendor and magnificence. She proved so good and kind to me that I really thought I had found a second mother in her. Ah ! that short bright time was the happiest of my life, and when I could press you to my heart, dear Army, and you too, Nelly dear, there was nothing wanting to my happiness. But then came the terrible event : the death of your father ; misfortune suddenly broke upon us.”

She shuddered and pressed her trembling hands upon her temples, as though she must endeavor to recollect whether what she related really belonged to a far distant past.

After his death a trustee was appointed in the person of the counsellor of justice, old Helwig. It was found that our affairs were more than out of order ; on every hand mortgages, securities, unsettled accounts ; a confusion without equal it was in which grandmamma and I saw ourselves suddenly plunged. How many sleepless nights, how many weary hours have passed since then ! and yet, until to-day, in spite of old Hel wig’s endeavors, there has been no light in the chaos.”

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Do not excite yourself, dear mamma,” the young officer entreated. “ I knew long since that we were living in limited circumstances, even if I was not able to surmise the true state of affairs, but have courage ! Other and brighter times are certainly coming ; and only a short while ago grandmamma told me that things are not altogether so desperate j as, at any rate, we have a rich inheritance to expect from Aunt Stontheim.”

Grandmamma reckoned very much on this inheritance, but ”

“ She means,” the young man hastily interrupted his mother, that I, before returning to my regiment, shall introduce myself to Aunt Stontheim.”

am not opposed, my child, and heartily wish grandmamma may not be mistaken, but it must be recollected that the Derenbergs in Konigsberg have the same just claim to inherit as we ; the daughter of Colonel Derenberg, of the Sixteenth Regiment, has the same right as you and Nelly.”

At this moment Sanna, the old servant of the elder baroness, opened the large folding-doors, and her mistress entered the room. W ith a still stately, commanding presence, she held herself faultlessly erect in spite of her sixty years. Her single gray woollen trail was carried with as much grace and dignity as the heaviest silk robe in which, in former days, she swept through the magnificent apartments. Her thick and still black hair, lightly drawn back from the temples, was surmounted by a little cap, her large black eyes glancing out from beneath its yellowish lace edge. There was an aristocratic air about her whole appearance, and in

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the fine features an expression of not-to-be-humbled pride was evident. How old the peevish, sickly daughter-in-law appeared at the side of this imposing woman ! Army hastened to meet her. He took from her a large book which she held in her hand, and led her towards the fireside, where Sanna had already arranged several chairs. The granddaughter had arisen at the same instant, and the pale lady secretly dried the last tears from her eyes.

^^Of what were you speaking?” asked the elder baroness, having taken her seat at the fireside and dismissed the servant with a wave of her hand. I heard something about the same right as Army and Nelly.”

We were speaking of Aunt Stontheim and the consequent inheritance,” replied her daughter-in-law, likewise seating herself by the fire, and at the same time I thought of the Kbnigsberg Dereubergs, and said that Blanka von Derenberg is as much entitled to the estate as our children.”

Blanka? What an idea!” cried the old lady, shrugging her shoulders. ^‘That red-haired, scrofulous creature ? Aunt Stontheim has — ^thank heaven — too good taste to commit such a mistake. Besides, she has, as well as I remember, a very justifiable aversion to this vain colonel, and also to his light-haired wife, ■whom heaven knows in what corner of England or Scotland he picked up, — she was a Miss Smith or Newman, I believe? Well, at any rate, she was some insignificant person. No, Cornelia, that is one of your groundless, made-up stories again, with which you worry yourself and others.”

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Her remarks sounded ironical, as was usual when the proud lady addressed her daughter-in-law.

I meant only,” replied the latter, softly, “ that one

cannot with certainty ” She stopped. “ Life brings

with it so many disappointments that one truly ”

Army will understand how to turn the heart of his '-cross old aunt, so that the truly princely estate may fall to him,” said the provoked old lady, interrupting her daughter-in-law’s remark.

“ How do you mean, grandmamma ?” the young man suddenly exclaimed, in a clear voice. I hope you do not desire me to go fortune-hunting, as it is called ? I will meet her, and pay her my respects as any other gentleman would, — but that is all. What she will not give me of her own free will she may keep !”

The grandmother, astounded, raised herself from her negligent position in the chair, while her eyes, sparkling with anger at this unwonted declaration, gazed into those of her grandson. ‘^Can that be possible from such a stripling ?” she asked, in a voice into which she tried to throw a playful tone, but it trembled with anger. Ha, Army ! have you then, with your cadet’s uniform, laid aside all respect, and think because eight days have passed since you put on epaulettes that you can dictate to your grandmother and reject her advice ? Oh, well, you are too young to judge correctly of the circumstances into which your new position will bring you. Is it fortune-hunting for one to try to win the heart of an old, lonely relation ?”

Yes, grandmamma,” said Army, very firmly, and not a muscle of his handsome face changed. ‘^Yes,

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it is fortune -hunting as soon as one aims at securing a person’s money by first winning his heart.”

That one stands extremely in need of, unless one is content to eke out a scanty existence, or starve in a castle without territory or income,” angrily interrupted the old baroness, moving her chair back a little.

That I acknowledge, grandmamma, and I would never have spoken so sharply, either, if there were not an heiress already ; but as Blanka ” ""

Again this Blanka ! Are you acquainted with her at all ? Do you know whether she is still living, the sickly creature ? How disagreeable to be forever bored by such school-boy ideas! I wish urgently. Army, for you to start for Stontheim. I will tolerate no contradiction. To-day even the letter goes which will announce you.”

Certainly, grandmamma ; I will start as soon as you wish,” said Army, with cold politeness.

She arose. Her proud face flushed to a deep red, while a peculiar stubborn expression lay around her mouth; never had the resemblance between grandmother and grandson been more striking. With glistening eyes, firmly-pressed lips, and in an almost defiant attitude, they stood opposite each other, neither submitting to the other.

^‘You travel to-morrow by the five o’clock post,” the old lady said, coldly and decidedly, and without heeding the acquiescent bow of the young man, and with but a slight nod of the head towards the bewildered daughter-in-law, left the room.

A painful stillness followed when the folding-doors 2 had closed upon the majestic figure of the old baroness. He who had ventured to contradict the proud lady, whose word was law for all in the house, stood in as quiet an attitude by the fireside, and gazed as calmly into the flames, as though nothing had happened. Nelly looked at her brother with wondering eyes ; he was no more like himself. No one spoke a word. After a short time old Sanna came into the room ; she held a letter in her hand, and said, —

“ Does the baroness wish anything from the village ? Henry is to go to the post-office ; it is snowing now so severely, and perhaps he can attend to something for you at the same time.’’

The baroness answered in the negative, and the old woman hastily disappeared. Army, meanwhile, had seated himself at the table, and was turning over the leaves of the book which a short time before he had taken from his grandmother’s hands.

find here something about our pretty Agnes Mechthilde up in the gallery,” he cried, joyfully.

Come here, little sister ! This is interesting, — only listen !”

The young girl came to him, and, leaning over the back of his chair, looked with curious eyes upon the yellowish paper covered with writing difficult to decipher. He read with difficulty the almost illegible words :

‘‘^On November 30th, in the year 1694, here at Castle Derenberg, the body of her Highness Lady Agnes, the Baroness of Derenberg, whose maiden name was Krobitz, from the house of Franen, was solemnly

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entombed in the family vault, and all performed according to directions given during her lifetime. The long coffin was placed in the hall near the chapel, and was covered first with a great white pall, and over this a black velvet one with a cross worked in silver thread ; above lay a golden crucifix, and upon each side eight smaller ones, and at the head and feet the double coat of arms richly embroidered on orange-colored satin. Those of the nobility who resided in the neighborhood, and who had very often banqueted here, bore the coffin into the chapel. Next followed the six sons of the deceased and the bereaved husband.^

^^This is tedious,’^ interrupted the young officer.

But here — listen again !

^^‘And the Lady Agnes Mechthilde, Baroness of Derenberg, had been a very proud and wise lady, who bravely stood by her husband throughout his whole career. She had a tall, slender figure and red hair, which, according to an old proverb, is said to be truly no good sign :

“ A woman, and also a horse,

If handsome, is valued of course.

And are they without tricks, forsooth.

Good luck it is in very truth-;

Beware 1 by color of hair he led.

Great danger lies if that he red.”

Yet she had had no more tricks than other women, and had been a refined, handsome lady ; on her account a cavalier who had fallen in love with her, and to whom she would not listen, in desperation took his own life, —

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may God give him pardon ! — and she had found him swimming in his own blood at her chamber door, which so alarmed her that she was suddenly seized with a burning fever, so that they thought her life would be sacrificed. Heaven restored her health, yet she never smiled afterwards ; the cavalier, who was a young nobleman from Streitwitz, is buried here in the castle garden.”

What do you say to that, mamma ?” cried Army, much excited. I do believe a man might take his own life for her sake ; it is a wonderful countenance. I wish I could take the portrait with me and hang it in my room ; she must have been a fascinating creature, this Agnes Mechthilde.”

Ha, Army !” smiled the baroness, I by no means knew your first infatuation concerned a dead person. Well, it is at least not dangerous. What think you, Nelly?”

Nelly answered nothing; it seemed as though the former genial humor would not enter the little circle again. The young girl sat mutely bowed over her work, and considered what she could give to Lottie as an excuse for Army’s delinquency ; Army buried himself again in the pages of the old book, and the slight smile had vanished from the face of the baroness. Every now and then she pressed her hands to her eyes and sighed deeply, and each time that such a timid sigh reached her children’s ears they turned their heads simultaneously, looking sadly for a moment at the troubled face of their mother, then each resumed his occupation.

The baroness wishes her tea served in her own

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room,” said Sanna, entering the door. She begs to be excused for not taking tea with you ; the baroness has a headache.”

The old woman carried a waiter with an antiquated little cup and saucer in the rococo style. She was evidently in the act of taking her mistress her tea, and now stood at the door waiting an answer ; she looked searchingly from one to the other as though she wished to discern the impression made upon them by this news. The absent-minded lady at the fireside did not appear to have heard her words at all, and started up frightened, as her daughter said, in a cheerful tone, — We are very sorry indeed for that, Sanna, and heartily wish grandmamma’s quick recovery.”

Is your lady sick, Sanna ?” asked the baroness. Certainly,” she answered, and her tall bony figure raised itself to its full height, while the gray eyes under the gloomy brow were fixed upon the startled countenance of the baroness. The baroness must have left here sick, for she came into her room with violent beating of the heart. I have been obliged to mix her three powders already. If it only does not amount to anything worse !”

There was something reproachful, impertinent in this answer, not so much in the words as in the voice and the expression of the face, so that the Baroness Derenberg felt the blood rush suddenly to her cheeks with indignation.

^^I am extremely sorry,” she said, in a raised voice, as she made a sign of dismissal with her hand, and hope your gracious lady wi41 feel better to-morrow.” b 2*

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“ Very well/’ said the old woman, and left the room ; but her carriage and the expression of her features beneath the folded head-gear had become actually threatening.

Army had sprung up, and with flushed face stared after the vanished servant.

Army, I beg you,” cried the baroness, let her go ! You will not make it any better by arguing with her. She has always been so ; like her mistress, she cannot control the hot southern blood, and then — she loves grandmamma to idolatry. You know. Army, Sanna came here with grandmamma from Venice, that she has survived the time of splendor, and now steadfastly shares her cares and privations with her. Sanna has many good qualities; a fidelity such as hers is seldom seen ; and you children, especially you. Army, she loves above all ; besides, she is so old that a great many things should be overlooked in her.”

Army answered nothing, but took his cap in his hand. I must take a few minutes’ walk or I shall not sleep well,” said he, excusing himself ; and, kissing his mother’s hand, he left the apartment.

He stood there in the long cold corridor and wondered to himself where it was that he really felt inclined to go.

I must get my coat first,” he thought, and strode down the long passage to his own room ; he was in such a strange state of mind to-day, — for the first time life had shown itself in its most earnest aspect to his youthful understanding. Truly, he had known that liis family were living in narrow circumstances, but after genuine boyish fashion had troubled himself no more about it. Now his grandmother had spoken to him of it, and, at the same time, put before him the prospect of a rich inheritance ; but there was still an heiress there, a little red-haired creature, as grandmamma called her. Pretty Agnes Mechthilde appeared to him ; the old rhyme says, “ Beware ! by color of hair be led, great danger lies if that be red.” The red hair surely would not bring him into trouble? But no, he must not build air-castles.

Grandmother had said, ^^Upon you. Army, and upon the Stontheim inheritance I build all my ho; es,” and now he had reproached her with fortune-hunting.” But truly Blanka, the little red-haired Blanka — there she is in his thoughts again — but Aunt Stontheim could divide among Blanka, Nelly, and himself, — yes, that would be an expedient. Could not all things come straight even yet ?

He shivered, and stepping to the fire, threw a handful of brushwood into the glowing embers ; the flames sprang up crackling through the dry wood, and fitfully lighted the tiled floor. Its red glimmer caused the gilded decorations of the old fireplace to flash with brightness, and the eye of the youi^man dreamily followed the windings of the oak gaRnd which was carved beneath ; in the centre it encircled a shield, upon which stood this short rhyme : Your faith in God ne’er lose, my friend. He any day good luck may send.” A proverb of old, long-forgotten times. “ He any day good luck may send,” once more he repeated, half aloud; had he then never read these words? They

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made a deep impression upon him at this moment ; could not good luck come again to him ?

He looked above at the imposing antlers, — they were, as the tablets with the names and dates showed, all gained as booty by the Derenbergs, in the forests which had been partly sold, partly mortgaged. It might yet possibly be — why not? — that he might again hunt where his ancestors had won so many splendid stags. Away with such vagaries ! Life still lay before him, so full of hope, so enticing, and He any day good luck may send.”

His youthful countenance beamed with newly-found hope; his heart throbbed in his breast, and he felt courage enough to brave even storms. ‘‘ Ever onward, further into the billows of life ! The wilder the breakers, the better. Pleasure or pain, I take it as it comes ; a life without battle, — that is no life. I will ask grandmamma’s pardon on account of fortune-hunting,” he continued. Mamma too must not look so sad any more, — why always look so gloomy? Even the little one hung her head ; well, yes, — that was on account of Lottie, the little rag-Lottie. Bah ! that is not worth talking about, and later she will comprehend better ”

He whistled a song as he strode down the corridor, intending to return to his mother.

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CHAPTER 11.

The next morning Army, with a bright and happy countenance, stood before his grandmother. He had received her forgiveness. She shrugged her shoulders, smiling, when he expressed to her his idea that the yet unknown Blanka might be co-heiress with them.

“You are a fantastical fellow. Army,” said she, jokingly. She did not contradict hini, however, but pointed to a small stool at her feet.

“ Take a seat. I have something to communicate to you before we part.”

The old lady^s room had retained its luxurious arrangement, and at the first glance made an impression of great splendor. When examined more closely, however, it could be very well seen that the color had faded out of the heavy purple silk stuff, and that here and there the silk was broken. But, notwithstanding that, the curtains at the windows and the door, the elegant pieces of furniture, and the heavy Smyrna carpet gave an almost luxurious character to the apartment. Fine Italian landscapes in gilt frames hung upon the walls. These pictures were remembrances of happier days, which the baroness, as the celebrated young Countess Luja, had passed in Venice and Naples ; and in this remembrance she forgot the comfortless present.