Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-12-03
A RHINE STORY.

The Misses Ladford walked across
the road from the German station to
the small hotel.
"And now," complained the elder
Miss Ladford, II suppose we shall have
more unintelligible argument at this
ridiculous hotel Not soul to speak
English or French, and"-
1--WE shall manage" said her young
sister, hopefully. The porter carrying
their luggage pushed open the door, and
they stepped into big square room,
with pewter covered bar at the side.
A few men were playing with grubby
cards in a corner. The proprietor
shuf1led forward and took his pipe from
his month reluctantly.
"Bahr" cried the elder Miss Ladford.
That's not German" remarked her
young sister cheerfully. "Kellner, Elm
zin 'ner."
If young Miss Ladford had known
the German for hotel proprietor, she
would not have called him waiter. 1t
was unfortunate, because the proprie-
tors brow clouded at the word "kell-
ner, and he appeared to be instructing
the porter to take the luggage outside.
The two ladies stared at each other dis
tressedly.
"Can be Of any use?'
HMr. WallisW cried the young sister
delightedly.
Sir. Wallisr' remarked Miss Lad
fofd distantly.
In a few words the young man ex-
planned everything to the offended hotel
proprietor; in few more words he in
formed the ladies that he, too, had ar
rived by the train from Berlin, and
Ghat, finding the last train for Luxem-
hourg had gone, he had said a few
words
81 am glad you did that" said Miss
Ladford.
and had come straight across to
the hotel. Mr.. Mark Wallis further
mentioned that he had ordered supper
for one; while the ladies were up stairs
he would amend the order and make it
supper for three. A stout, apple faced
maid appeared and prepared to conduct
them stolidiy up the broad wooden
staircase to their room.
"Mr. Wallis,' said Miss Ladford,
1--WE quarrelcd, I'm afraid, at Dai-
reuth.
"No, no" replied the young man,
flushing. "Dont dignity our argument
to that extent 1t was a mere difference
of opinion" He glanced at the young
checked maid.
"You made some unkind remarks in
your journal last winter about my play
ing, and l felt bound to tell you that
resented those criticisms. We had been
good friends too.'
81 tried to be fair, Miss Ladford. l
had every reason not to be unkind."
"Every reason?"
"Every reason"
out her hand.
''Shall we forget all about it, Mr..
Wallis?''
"It will give me great pleasure, said
the young man earnestly. And, being
in foreign land where courtly acts can
be done without creating derision, he
lifted her gloved hand and kissed it.
kouSh o'ppCl pui y tllap ilSllu III uhp
bare boarded dining loom of the sleepy
little hotel at Ka1thaus, and such de-
termination on Mark Wallis part to
propitiate Miss Ladford-so much gen.
eral good humor indeed that the chrome
of the Emperor William on the walls
stared as though half inclined to assume
that the laughter approached leze ma
iesty. Even the apple checked servant
became infected by the general gayety
and served the dishes with positive
cheerfulness crowning the evening,
when supper was over and Mark Wallis
had lighted cigar and had said good
night, by 1emarking (as she took the two
pairs of shoes from the tired young wo-
men and closed their door, in confiden-
tial whisper, Earring cross!" and dis
appeared with the air of one who has
said reassuring and comforting word
to English women in strange land.
"He improves on acquaintance, re-
marked Miss Ladford.
"Who dear?"
"Why, Mr.. Wallis of course.'
"Oh!"
"I disliked him extremely when I
net him at first"
because of that notice?''
"That was the principal cause"
Musical critics." said the younger
lady casually, "have hard task to per-
form"
"And some of them hardly perform
it, But I'm quite sure now, dear. that
Mr., Wallis did not mean to be unfair"
Miss Ladford went ON argumentatively,
as though trying to persuade her youn-
ger sister to abandon an indefensible po-
sition IN the debate. $50 much depends,
Alice, on the point of view in these
matters. Mark Wallis being SO strong
Mozart worshiper, you see, he natu-
rally enough
SIS Mr.. Wallis going by our train in