The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-01-16


tion?
I could have laughed aloud. The old
mad spirit of university days rushed upon
me- Never even in those joyous wild
times had I met with such a rare adven-
ture as this-never, on my word of honor !
Chow very kind of you, my dear By
the way, what is your name p
Hannah, she whispered, with down
cast eyes.
''What an adorable name Hannahr'
l 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, imploring me without words not to
let ''them, as she called the family, get
wind of my vicinity.
Now she glided gently hither and thither,
collecting and placing on the table all man
ner 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 before me, with
conscious pride, smoking omelet aux
fines herbes, seasoned with bacon sauce.
Good Hannah What would she not
do for corporal?
But fate was at hand. The sitting
room door opened. Steps were heard in
the passage In another instant the kitch-
ell would be invaded, but thanks to Han
nah s promptitude the danger was ayerted.
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 mis-
tress in the passage and conyersed quite
composedly with her about tomorrow 5
dinner
| sat motionless in the dark and heard
the whole menu gone through. The cold
sausages of which l had just been partak-
ing were to be sent up for Herr Direktor' $
breakfast.
"Good night, my love. I am going
out.
1t was the voice of the worthy man
himself His wife replied
'Don't be late tonight. Where are
you going?'
'To the casino. They have roasted
crab and fresh maibohle there tonight.
A pressure of the hand, kiss, and the
Herr Direktor went down stairs. The
good housewife had ended her consultation
with the cook and returned to the sitting
room Only Bello, the faithful compan-
ion of his master-Bello, the black poodle
shifted uneasily at the kitchen door.
"Come, Bello, come here, sir, called
his master from half way down stairs.
Bello did not come. He shifted still har-
der.
"Get away, will your said Hannah,
clapping her hands at him and pushing
him away. The faithful animal resigned
ly trotted down stairs. I breathed again
and began to think love required rather too
much of sacrifice Although it was
highly impolite to leave in the middle of a
meal, yet l felt my false position so acute
ly that l proposed doing so without delay,
Alas, it was not so easy
Hannah lamented that I had not done
better justice to her banquet, and as a
final temptation produced from some other
place a bottle containing some other dregs
of the wine and would not, in short, hear
of my going away.
''Only one little quarter Of an hour
more, she pleaded 81 must do my
washing up The water is hot now. y
Here she paused and looked roguishly at
me- eff you would help me to dry the
things, then it would soon be done. | am
free after that, and we could take a walk
somewhere All, please Please You
need not be afraid My young man may
always come to the door down stairs. The
mistress allows that. l always make that
one of the conditions when | take sit
uation
This privilege did not fill me with much
joy, especially when l thonght of the dry
ing process.
"a good appetite to you, Hannah.
You have treated me only too well. [
forgot | had been the only partaker of the
feast. ''Now | must be off. 2
She pouted, cast imploring glances at
me, and somehow before | knew what she
was about she had enveloped me in brand
new apron to protect my uniform.
The house door opened again, creaking
loud and warningly. Heavy steps-a
man steps-came up the staircase. The
little bell at the entrance of the Herr Di-
rektor's apartments tinkled. A horrible
dread seized me. 1t was the Herr Direk-
tor himself. and, merciful heavens, of
course Bello, the irrepressible and suspic-
ious Bello, he would make straight for the
Kitchen | felt sure.
''Is not Herr Eisenstein here
| turned cold as ice
''Herr Eisenstein p said soft, clear
voice, and now | turned burning red with
shame. ''Herr Eisenstein? No, he is
not here, papa. How funny Why
should Herr Eisenstein be here
1t was the fair Agnes who spoke
Agnes of the soft blue eyes. felt their
limpid gaze resting on me even through
the thick darkness.
Hannah, has the Her Eisenstein not
been here tonight? Are you quite sure?
"No, sir I have not seen the gentle
man this evening. No one has been
here
Il can understand 1t, said the di-
rektor. Il went over to Herr Eisenstein
rooms to ask him to come over with me to
the cafe, and his fellow was standing al
the door, and he told me that his master
was gone out. asked him where. Down
the bio street To magistrate house.