WOOING A WIDOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 213, 6 September 1895, Page 3

WOOING A WIDOW.

By EWALD AUGUST X )ENIG.

CHAPTER 11. A.N ISTEKRUPXED FESTIVITY,

The banking-house of Oscar Roland was nob one of the most prominent firms of the city ; but it had, nevertheless, a very good reputation on 'Change as well as in the commercial world.

Roland had lived in great stylo for tho past few years, chiefly, as gossip had it, to secure husbands for his daughters.

If this had been indeed the aim of his larishne.s, he could now congratulate himeelf an having reached it

Marie, the oldesb.daughter, had become the wife of Councillor Heppner, Dora's brother, and rumour bad ib that she waß quite as despotic as her mother. Eugenic, the banker's second daughter, was married to an English wool-merchant, Louise had followed her husband to Vienna, and Leonie, the youngest, bad this day married Banker Julius Menzel, of whom little was known, except that he carried on, in one of the chief thoroughfares of the city, a small money-changing business, with a show-case full of foreign bank-nofcea and gold pieces, and owned a pretty villa in the suburbs, with which Roland had presented his daughter soon after her engagement.

The wedding had been celebrated at Roland's residence, only the family and some intimate friends having been invited. The young couple had, toward evening, started on the customary journey, and the majority of the guests had taken their leave soon after.

The banker, a small, spare man, with a bald head and thin red whiskers, the sly expression of whose face reminded one of a fox, moved rapidly through bhe elegant, handsomely decorabed aparbmenba in which bhe entertainment had taken place.

Here and there, aa he thoughb necessary, he would give a hint to the servants in waiting, or he would stop ab one bable or another, to drink a glass of champagne or exchange a few words with one of his guests. The few friends who had remained had divided into groups in order to play a game of cards or to have a cosy chat over a bottle of wine. To the banker's evident gratification, they all seemed to cherish the praiseworthy intention of not going home before midnight.

One of these groups had been formed in the boudoir of bhe mistress of the house, which lay ab the end of the suite, and was moßb charmingly and tastefully furnished., Frau Roland, tall and slender, with hair Of a reddish blonde, energetic features and steel-grey, piercing eyes, presided over the little company, seated on a blue damask divan; Her daughter, Frau Heppner, who bore a striking resemblance to her mother to bhe colour of her hair and eyes, was pouring oub coffee for the gentlemen present.

Fat little CrKincil lor Heppner sat in an easy-chair and listened to every word that was spoken. He, too, was bald. Every wrinklo, every feature of his well-fed and carefully shaven face, expressed ("curiosity, which waß bis weak point, and at the same time his lively blue eyes looked around cheerily, as if they wantetl to assure every one that bhe councillor was in the happiest of moods.

, Nexb to him, beside the lady of the house, Herr Theodor Sohnenherg bad seated himself, a tall, slender gentleman of about thirty. \ His exterior could be called attractive ; there was something aristocratic x in his carriage and his whole demeanour, add his pale, interesting face, with those unfathomable dark eyes and a flowing bla_k beard, possessed an irresistible charm lot all the ladies.

There were two or three obber gentlemen in the little company, a broker and two merchants, but they were so conscious of their insignificance beside Theodor Sonnenberg and the ladies of the house, thab bhey modestly kept in the background of bhe room. This group was now joined by the banker, who took a chair and asked his daughter for a cup of coffee. 'How reßtless you are to-nighb, papa,' said the councillor's wife, facetiously, as she fulfilled bis request. ' Yes, indeed,' remarked her husband, in his vivacious manner. ' I noticed it, too. What is bhe matter papa? Anything in particular?'

'Nothing,' replied Roland, laconically, etiring his coffee. ' Only when you give an entertainment like this you have to keep your eyes open.' ' H-m, the oftener you peep into corners, on such occasions, the more you have to wink ab things,' said hia son-in-law, shrugging his shoulders. ' And you can'b always anabch a bottle from a servant's mouth or pull bhe game that he has appropriated from between his teeth. It's " live and leb live " ab such times.'

' I agree with you,' replied the banker, calmly. ' But just to-nighb there are a number of people in the house whom I was obliged to engage as without knowing anything about them ; and although I have no reason to suspect the honesty of any one of them, I etill feel Bomewhat anxious in thinking of the large

amouub of money which I have downstairs.'

• Good gracious! How much is it?' asked the councillor, fixing his inquisitive eyes tixpectantly upon his father-in-law. •You ihaven't been winning in a lottery, have you ? I assure you thab we all, and I in particular, should be delighted.' 'I dare say,' replied Roland, setting his empty imp on the table; • but, unfortunately, I can't give you that pleasure, xou ask how much money there is ? Well if I include my balance in hand, there must be rtboub two hundred thousand thalers.'

•The deace, thab is a good deal!' said Heppner, with a nod. ' And do you keep such an amount in tha, house over nfcbt?' asked Frau Roland, re-V* proaehfully. 'You must excuse me if I \ call that very careless.' •I suppose the money is in a fire-proof ' and burglar-proot safe ?' inquired Tbeodor Sonnenberg, carelessly toying with his gold eyeglass, which hutig across his white vest by a broad black ribbon.

'Of course,' replied1 the banker. * However, my wife is right; it is always imprudent to keep so l&^rge a Bum in the house over night. Something might happen, and then I am the one who would be held responsible for tub loss. Unfortunately, however, it could t\ot be helped today. I received the money\this noon when I was just about to dress for t^e wedding, and had no time to dispose bf ib. I could nob refuse bhe payment, (either. It was made by order of Baron Bvusae, for whom I am to invest the amount £n government bonds.' \

•The'deuce! Has the rich\baron made bo much by his harveeb this 'Tear V asked the councillor

'Hardly,' was the reply; ci\ub he has sold Meadowvale, one of his estates, because ib was boo far away from/here, and he had to leave its management to his stewards, who'were only too glatVof the opportunity to better themselvew. Tbe Baron Busses have done business \*i.b ua for years,' he continued, drawing bumself up proudly. «We have always abkinded to their money matters, and I thiniV we may feel proud of bhe confidence -biowrt us by so wealthy and distinguished^ a family.' .%

' Why ?' asked Frau Roland, tossing htw head with a supercilious air. * They havei never. loaned our house any money, nor". taken any part in its business. They have only used it as a medium when they wanted bo invest their property in government bonds. Even if thab were a proof of special confidence I cannot see why we should be grateful for ib. You will buy the bonds to-morrow and pay the money for them. You will charge your commission and give the papers to the baron, and then tho business will be ended.'

The broker and the two merchants, toward whom the speaker turned her piercing oyea at the last words, nodded assent. Even the councillor deemed ib advisable to iigree with his mother-in-law. ';'

: Roland knew from experience that he ought to yield to the opinion thus expressed and drop the subject. '»; It is hardly probable that anything will go amiss in this house before to-morrow morning,' remarked Frau Heppner, after a pause, in a conciliating .tone, as she replenished the cup timidly handed her by the broker.

•How could ib possibly?' asked Sonnenberg, quvetiy. 'If a fire should break out," the mone^v would remain unharmed in the fire-proof yafe, and a burglary seems out of the question.' •,. ' 'Well, tihere are said to be thieves enough in td'wn who could easily pick the mostcomplici'ted lock,' observed Roland, ';

• ' Hardly so iiuickly,' replied Sonnenberg, >-" with a sceptical smile. 'I will by nd;^ means deny, hovvever, thab such'burglaries do take place.' \ ' One was comriutted here quite recently,'. . ITrau Roland inter rupted Mm. ' You are right, \madam, I remember the case; but if you _n>ow the facts, you will admit thab thingu wvsre made very easy for ■~■ the thieves. Has yoiur safe a combinationlock, Herr Roland ?'

'No, ib is an old-fakhioned one with a simple snap-lock, Whoe-yer has the key can open it without difficulty.' Ji 'Yes, I have noticed it\in your cash* room. How many keys havevyou to if)?''^- * Three. My cashier hae \?ne, I haye^. another and the third, sealed up in a small package, is in the drawer of my writing desk.' .V '-

'In your writing desk?' asKed Frau Roland, astonished. ' Could not bite key be . stolen from that drawer?' V ' -.' 'Pshaw.no one but myself knows-of its, v being there.' . \#\- ' I think I would put ib elsewhere/ saSd.\ the councillor, shaking his head. ' Give ft to mamma, ib will be safer in in her monoy a box.' ' ' '

• There is such a thing as being too cautious in such matters,' remarked Sonnenberg, while the broker and the mer- i chants, after bowing low to thePladiea, lefft ? the boudoir. '1 am convinced that Herr V Roland himself will laugh at his fears to-, morrow. One more question, however; ia your cashier perfectly trustworthy?' "•''i

' Truo as gold,'replied the banker ;.'■• ab , least I have never yeb detected him in any I dishonesty. lam sorry thab lam going to j lose him.' v Sonnenberg's dark eyes were fixed keenly, upon bis host, who gazed before him' thoughtfully.

' Lose him ?' inquired the councillor. , ' What's the matter now? Dornbergis an : impudent fellow, who carries his head very ; high. Has he given you notice ?' 'Heme or I him, it's about the same/i replied his father-in-law. N 'l shall lose a ) good worker, but ib could nob be helped; tbe measure was full, ib bad to run over.'

Sonnenberg had put on his eyeglass and risen. ( ' Tbe ladies must excuse me,' he said, with a slight bow. ' I promised at dinner to play a game of piquet with Doctor Bruno, \ and suppose I must keep my word.' ' What a pity !' cried Frau Heppner. •We shall follow you,'Baid her mother, smiling condescendingly as she gave him; her hand, which he raised bo his lips. ' You. remind me that we have neglected too long our duty as hosts.'

[To be Continued.)

A recital of sacred music was held|p_BfpV> night in All Saints' Church, Ponsonby. ■) Soad. There was a large abbendance, and. tha recital was much enjoyed by those pressnb. The following was bhe programme gone through:—Hymn 223 A. and M. (second\tune): anbhem, " 4 The Lord is. Exalted ; w* solo, "Herald Angel," Mr.Ferriday; "solo, "He Shall Feed," Mi«_ Maxwell; soio, "Come Unto Me," Mrs Maxwell; orgkn solo, Mr J.- A. Beale; anbhem, "0 Saviour of the World;" solo, " Angels Ever Bright and Fair," Mrs Baxter; cornet, "Ora Pro Nobis," Mr T. Adams; offertory sentences 7 and 14,' during which collection in aid of choir funds; hymn: anthem, x*' The Sun Shall Be no More;" solo, Mr Carder; organ solo, Mr J. A. Beale; cornet-solo, "Losft Chord " (by special request), Mr*>T. Adams ; solo, "The Holy City," Miss Maxwell; anthem, "In Humble Faith;" the, Grace; Amen. \ .