The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-01-25
R~ MRS.

intrusive weed when nad reared us
green head between the red tiles of the
veranda, and only caught the last
words.
You make too much of our poor eff
forts, end, believe me, we are not so
blinded by national prejudices as to
undervalue brave soldiers who only
do their duty, and"
Here Burchardt, who had been light
ing an obdurate cigar, interrupted
Herr Amtmann by asking St%einhausen
if he was aware that their friend Won
Wolf was at Pima, obliged to remain
behind his regiment, as he was i'll
with fever, from a wound he consid-
cred too slight to report?
NO" said the Rittmeister, II had
not heard of him.
These %overheroic young soldiers are
rather troublesome, from their want
Of precaution."
"Planitz and I thought of riding over
to see him.
LAS you intend resting here to-day.
will you come with u.s."
Thank you, no." returned Steinhau-
sen, shortly. Il had enough riding
yesterday, and shall be in the saddle
all tomorrow" >.
while to-day you have an Eden and
an Eve" rejoined the Lieutenant.
laughing-a jest for which his superior
officer would have liked to give him
three days arrest on bread and water.
He prudently, however, turned a deaf
ear to the i%nsinuation, and the kind
host Immediately proceeded to give the
two young officers elaborate directions
as to a short and shady route whereby
they could reach the town where their
friend lay.
During the explanation the Ritz
meister stalked, with a stern and dig
niied air, into the salon, and once
more took up the family album, de-
termined to try the photograph trick
on the little judge, who would, he felt
certain, join him as soon as the others
were gone.
In a few minutes he heard Won Plan
itz and Burchardt bid their host good
by, and rattle down the steps to the
| garden on their way to the stables,
and the next minute Herr Cheering
came to his side.
"Ah, Herr Rittmeister has found
out our picture gallery" he said, with
much complaisance, and proceeded
gleefully to point out his wife and a
| couple of brothers, evidently old SOL
| diers and much decorated.
Then he paused at the likeness Of q
sweet, dreamy looking child, and the
kindly voice trembled as he said it was
his first born, who had been taken
from them in early childhood.
Then he frightened up again when
the next page was turned, and he was
| able to expatiate on the manifold vir-
tues and requirements Of his only son;
and then came the object Of Steinhau-
sens curiosity, the pages on one of
| which was the commonplace looking
| officer and the Indifferent photograph
| of Lies, and, opposite, another and q
very superior carte Of the same lady,
with q likeness of Clarchen and the
little boy.
"And these?" asked the Rittmeister,
with just the right degree Of polite il
terest.
You will recognize some," returned
Herr Cheering.
This is my eldest daughter" he con-
tinued with . sigh, but not q good
photograph. 1t does not do her jrs-
tice."
Another sigh.
And this-thls IS my son-in-law,
poor fellow! 1t is altogether q sad
story, and not one to be intruded
Oh"
MY fatherm cried Clarchen. running
in at this critical juncture, 1.-THE Herr
Richter is hero, and says some vag-
rants have been tlieving in the vii
lage.
He wishes t. make q deposition be-
fore employing the Polizei."
Now, it is too bad" exclaimed the
judge, hastily Shutting up the pho
tograph book.
Il have taken ouch pains with the
people under my jurisdiction, that
Bergfeld has hitherto been especially
noted for the absence of crime, for the
intelligence and GOOD conduct Of tine
people-and now!
"YoI will excuse re, Herr Rittmeis-
ter. At dinner we shall meet-Auf
wiederschen;;" and the little judge bur-
ried away with sharp, quick steps and
corresponding mods CT his gray curls.
Left alone with the Rittmeister,
Clarchen crossed her hands behind her
and looked at him quietly, with an
expression Of mingled fun and &C.
Gance.
&c felt, he knew not why, that she
was specially inimical to him; never
theless. he attempted to get q little
more information from her, though.
indeed, his doubts were nearly solved
by Hcrr C%hering's remarks.
Come, liebes Fraulien," he said.
drawing 4 comfortable chair and seat
ing himself at the table, come and tell
me all about the family photographs"
Clarchen shook her head.
II cannot stay; l have quantities to
DO; for Lies is out, and has left ne
her keys
Out" cried S~teinhausen. with IT.
repressible vexation. Where has she