Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-04-18

I dimly lighted vcStibulo, said softly,
with shy shipper, Good evening""
trippCd up stairs and signed to mo
to follow
Tho Herr DTcktOr lived in flat
1t seemed, approached by common
staircase and up this | followed my
guido, my heels ringing clear and
loud on tho interpreted flags
Hush, huSh for heavens sake"
whispered tho servant maid mystic
riously.
confess to n shock of surprise.
stopped
''Is this not the right hour?"
'Ios, yes, but hush" She placed
a warming finger on my mouth.
Good gracious, IS some ono i'll in
the house, | whispered in low
voice In that case l will como an
other evening"
mo, no, only be very quiet, Herr
Corporal -
And thereupon sho seized my hand
and drow mo up tho stairs with many
warming signs.
Twas utterly bowildored and could
mako mother head nor tail of tho
business We were on the upper
floor With dCXtCrity that looked
suspiciouSly like constant habit she
caught tho doorbcll in her hand so
that its tinkle should not be heard.
She certainly showed wonderful
knaCk in her proceeding. Sho open
cd the door, and before know whore
l was l found myself in tho kitchen.
Then the boil rang, evidently in the
sitting room, whcreupon she prompt
ly pushed me still farther into the
kitchen and left me breathless with
amaZcmont to stare about me-
A neatly laid table stood in the
middle of tho room, which was but
dimly lighted by two candles stuck
i'll empty champagne bottles. l was
still gaping and gazing when she re,
turned
1t was nothing. They have not
finished yet, They sit so long at tn,
bic. Tho master wanted moro but.
ter "
Then she roddoned up, giggled
shyly and with downcast eyes con.
tinued:
Il am very glad, Herr Corporal, tc
see you. 1t is n great honor" and
there she paused, smoothing down
tho folds of her apron. She evident
ly expected mo to say something.
a sudden light broke on my be
wildcrcd senses l understood it all,
tho suppressed merrimcnt in Feuer.
stacko's face, the warmth of my re
ceDtion by the maid! That idiot OF
man, that dense patcd Gottleit
FcucrStacko, had imagined my mes
sage was for tho maidScrvant and
not for the quality Was l not serv.
ing rs private soldier like himself?
And was not tho cook tho object OF
his highest adoration?
could have laughed aloud. The
old mad spirit of university days
rushed upon mo. Never even in
those joyous wild times had met
with such rare adventure as this
never, on my word of honor!
How very kind of you, my dear
BY the way, what is your name?"
Hannah, she whispered, with
downcaSt eyes.
What an adorable name! Han.
nah' | quite forgot all about the
perils of my position and raised my
voice to its natural pitch. She cast
on me such an eloquent glance, i'm.
ploring me without words not to lot
them, as she called the family, got
wind of my vicinity.
Now she glidcd gently hither and
thither, collecting and placing on the
table all manner of dainty fragments
from the dinners of week past,
placing them in tempting confusion
at my disposal
Again the bell rang. Hannah was
wanted. She obeyed the call at once,
and presently returning placed be.
fore mo, with conscious pride, a
smoking omelct aux fines herbes,
seasoned with bacon sauce
Good Hannah! What would she
not do for corporal?
But fate vas at hand. The sitting
room door opened. Steps were heard
in the passage. In another instant
the kitchen would be invaded, but
thanks to Hannah s promptltude the
danger was averted. With immense
presence of mind she laid her great,
coarse hand on my lips, blew out the
candles at one breath, opened the
door, closed it behind her, met her
mistress i'll the passage and convers-
ed quite composcdly with her about
tomorrow dinner.
| sat motionleSs in the dark and
heard the whole menu gone through.
The cold SauSages of which l had
just been partaking were to be sent
up for Herr Dircktor's breakfast.
Good night, my love. l am go.
ing out"
1t was the voice of the worthy man
himself. His wife replied:
Don't be late tonight Where
are you going?"
ITO the casino. They have roast.
ed crab and fresh maibohle there TO-
night.
A pressure of the hand, a kiss, and
the Herr Direktor went down stairs.
Tho good housewife had ended her
consultation with the cook and re.
turned to the sitting room. Only
Bcllo, the faithful companion of his