The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-03
PART II. CHAPTER ]. u
Continued

Inc WHlsp IhfNy were -OOu oNAhpi'N
with their game, but not so absorbing
ly as to prevent a good deal Of talk
between the deals and rubbers.
The first game was nearly over;
Steinbausen had just settled his cards,
when, raising his eyes, they fell upon
q gentleman in civil attire certainly,
but uDmistakably a soldier from his
bearing, standing IN the doorway op-
posite.
While Steinhausen looked he turned
and walked across the room and the
Major perceived that his right coat
sleeye was empty from below where
ahe elbow ought 10 have been.
The face-a broad, strong, sensible
countenance, with hOnest-looking
brown eyes, Ceemed quite familiar 10
Steinbausen.
Another moments thought, and the
fWater-cOlor portrait which had inter
ested Fin 20 painfully during his short
but memorable ste. at villa Bellevue
came back distinctly TO his minds
eye.
Yes. ii was the original Of that well
remembered picture who had just
passed; If So where then was his wife
or fiaIcee?
Won SteinhauseD felt as IL there had
been no cessation in his interest and
curiosity since he had spurred his
horse in bitter inpatience and with a
sense OF defeat. away from the sleepy
little village Of Berffelder, so wildly
did the old feeling spring again into
being at this unexpected rencontrc
His first impulse was 10 call Burch-
ardts attention TO this one-armed
stranger; but he recollected in time
that probably his comrade bad never
seen or noticed the picture.
Pray, Herr Doctor" he said turn
Ing slightly in his chair, "wbo j. the
gentleman who has just passcdf ]
think j know his face"
which, said the doctor throwing
ant thump.
"Oh, the man that has lost lis arm (,
xhere he is, talking to lady with the
Tower Of Babel in curls on her head"
"Ob, that man! No! ! don't know
him; he is a stranger; the Bnrgomeis.
der has a mixed gathering tonight.
"ue must come from distance; he
5s no Bernstadter."
Won Steinhausen forced himself TO
give his full attention TO the game.
Time enough to hunt sp the stranger
aftcrward
But though Steinhausen played well
and won the game, his fancy teemed
with images OF the past and conjec-
tures Of the future.
Was he really to meet the Saxon
heroine, who had charmed him as the
wife Of another?
: And, If so, hoy7 would she receive
him?
Looking back after the lapse of n
Few years, and in the coolness Of retro
spection, he confessed To himself that
the fiery impulse he had permitted to
master him must hays seemed n little
like insanity 10 the object of her adora.
hion.
Still his heart beat quickly as he rose
from the table the winner Of nearly a
thaler tstakes were not high in Bern
stadU, and looked about for some one
10 question.
The gentleman who had reused these
memories had disappeared.
"Burchardt," said Major Won Stein
hausen, 81 wish you would try 10 find
out who 1t is that is minus his arm
Enough civilian.
Il fancy he is connected with our
Bergfelder friends
'1s it possible" cried Burchardt
with much animation. How! Why
do you think SOP
II will tell you after" returned his
friend.
Come, let Us have look at the
dancers"
He caught glimpse Of himself as be
spoke in a long glass, ana thought:
my fair foe must have good men,
ory if she recognizes me-" for the re-
Election given back was OF tall figure
considerably thinner, paler, more
gaunt-lookinc than of old, with a thick
beard covering the lower part of his
face.
The ballroom was now quite full, and
the company therein assembled was
whirling and floating TO the sound Of
the Blue Danube" wal,Z. and for a
few minutes Burcbardt and Stein
hausen looked on; then the former
moved away TO speak TO some ac-
quaiDtance and Won Steinbausen, sunk
in deep thought, saw the forms Of the
dancers as in 9 dream.
Suddenly the Burgomeister spoke 20
him.
They keep it up gayly. Herr Major
he said.
IL think we have a good snow OF
beauty. l wish you could join them"
''The fairest maiden of them all
would be pleased to have one of the
heroes of Cedan for q cavalier
THAT measure is impossible FOR me,
Herr Burgomeister," returned stein
hansen, gravely.
But tell me who is the gentleman I
observed upstairs. soldierly looking
man. though in civil dress. who has lost
nm armY
"Ob! tha. is q Saxon neighbor OF
ours-a relation OF my wlfe's-Herr
Hauptmann Cheering: he is here with
his wife end sister. I think. n young
lady who is on n visit with them"
Indeed"
"Yes, both handsome women"
"They are dancing now. There. that