The Northern Light | Page 6

The expression of his face showed clearly that the "creepy sensation"
was coming over him again. In the presence of these patriarchial
conditions, he thought it best to forego any attempt to enforce his
prerogative as guardian, an office, moreover, which, so far as he was
concerned, had always been purely nominal. It was plain from Will's
manner that his mother's praise was highly gratifying to the young
man's feelings.
"And Hartmut is not here for breakfast again, this morning. He seems
to think there is no necessity for being punctual at Burgsdorf, but I will
enlighten the young gentleman when he comes and make it clear to him
that--"
"There he is now," exclaimed Willibald. On the clear sunshine which
flooded the room through the open windows, there fell a shadow, and a
tall, slender figure appeared suddenly at the window and vaulted upon
the high sill.
"Well, what kind of an imp are you anyway, that you can only come in

through the window?" said Frau von Eschenhagen indignantly. "What
are the doors for?"
"For Will and all other well-ordered human beings," laughed the
new-comer good-naturedly. "I always take the nearest way, and that led
this time through the window." So saying he gave one spring from the
high seat into the middle of the room.
Hartmut Falkenried, like the young heir of Burgsdorf, stood upon the
boundary line where boyhood and manhood meet, but it needed only a
glance to recognize that he was his friend's superior in every respect.
He wore a cadet's uniform which became him well, but yet there was
something in his whole appearance which seemed to be at war with the
military cut and fit. The tall, slender boy was a true picture of youth
and beauty, yet there was something odd about this beauty, something
wild in his motions and appearance, with absolutely nothing to remind
one of the martial figure and earnest repose of his father. The luxuriant,
curly locks which crowned the high forehead, were of a deep, blue
black, and the warm, dark coloring of the skin betokened rather a son of
the south than of German parentage. Neither did the eyes, which
flashed in the youthful countenance, belong to the cool, earnest north;
they were enigmatical eyes, dark as the night, and full of hot,
passionate fire. Beautiful as they were, however, there was something
uncanny hidden in their depths, and though the laughter which
accompanied Hartmut's words was free and unrestrained, it was not a
hearty, merry boy's laugh.
"You certainly conduct yourself in a very free and easy manner," said
Wallmoden, sharply. "You evidently take advantage of the fact that the
inmates of Burgsdorf think little of etiquette. I have no doubt, however,
that your father would protest against such an entrance into the
dining-room."
"He would not do it if his father were here," said Frau von
Eschenhagen, who did not seem to notice the stab intended for herself
in her brother's remark. "And so you have come to your breakfast at
last, Hartmut. But laggards get nothing to eat; did you know that?"

"Yes, I know that," replied Hartmut, quite undisturbed, "so I got my
breakfast some time ago from the housekeeper. You can't starve me,
Aunt Regine. I stand on too good a footing with your people."
"And so you think you can do as you please and go unpunished," cried
the irate lady. "Break all the rules of the house, leave no one and
nothing in peace, and stand all Burgsdorf on its head; but I'll soon stop
all this business, my lad. To-morrow I'll send a messenger over to your
father requesting him to come and take home his son who knows
neither punctuality nor obedience."
The threat had its effect. The youth was frightened, and thought it well
to surrender at discretion.
"Oh, you are only jesting; shall I not enjoy my short vacation with--"
"With all manner of folly?" Frau von Eschenhagen added for him.
"Will has not done so much mischief in all his life as you have
accomplished in the last three days, and you'll spoil him with your bad
example and lead him into all manner of misdoing."
"Oh, Will is not the kind to be spoiled. I could not do it if I tried," said
Hartmut very warmly.
The young heir, who certainly did not look as if he could be led into
any impropriety, ate on, untroubled by these personal allusions, until he
had finished the last slice of bread on the table; but his mother was
highly incensed at this remark.
"That must grieve you greatly," she retorted. "It is certainly not your
fault, for you have tried hard enough to ruin him; but as I just said I
will write to your father