The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-02-08
Y.
Continued.

Inc WORDS were uitaht Iva "G ~"
alone. but they also reached those OF
the watchful Rittmeister. who, diVIn'
ing their import, with an impulse OF
irritation laughed scornfully, as nc
remarked that the young FraulelT
had not reached the age at wh1ct
prejudice hardened into consistency"
At last the repast was over, cere'
monious bows and murmured "Geseg
nete Mahizeit" exchanged. -
Lies slid quietly from the room, anc
at the same time the Amtmann' selzec
Steinhausen's arm.
Now, Herr Rittmeister, I am at yous
service.
1--WE will make a little tour Of the
Gut and l will fully explain my
principles of management"
The pleasant little gentleman, rub
binr his hands. stood, his head slight
!ly on one side, bright, alert and brim'
full of useful hints wherewith to en-
tighten his friend the enemy
Irritated and disguised as he was
Steinhausen could not help unbepding
to the simple, kindly, well-bred coun'
try gentleman.
= you are very friendly, Herr Amt
mann" he returned, g%raciously.
II hope I do not trespass too mucb
upon your precious time"
by no means-by no means! This
way, Herr Rittmeister. Permit me
TO direct you"
For nearly two hours did Steinhausen
perambulate the various Enclosures OF
Herr Amtmann's Gut" and enter
eagerly into his hosts explanations.
The farm had, indeed, every requisite
saw water; and this the Amtmann
had intended to supply by machinery,
already purchased, and placed in a
small building beside a deep well
which lay at the foot Of the hill; but
the breaking out of the war, and the
consequent absorption of skilled labor
ers in the army, had arrested the
work, and the good Judges outlay had
been hitherto unproductiye.
: "A sad loss to me, my dear Sir" con-
Guided the little man, for it will be
some time before I bring matters into
working order; and Lies, too, she feels
it much-this delay"
/ At last the Judges exhaustive expo
xition of his system, his small econo-
mics and larger OUTLAWS, his checks
here, bis discipline there, came to an
end
y The precious hour OF repose was
over. and Won Steinhausen.was pleased
to think it must be time for afternoon
coffee-not that his inspection Of Herr
Ghering's farm was devoid of interest
to him-like most Germans of his age
and standing, he looked forward to the
time when. his soldering days over,
he would turn for occupation and IN
terest to the pursuits Of a country
gentleman. -,
Still, it was much more agreeable tc
sit in the shady veranda, and sip the
fragrant coffee handed to him by his
fair antagonist.
The two gentlemen found all the
party. including the dog Nero, assem-
bled in this favorite resting place.
Lieutenant Burchardt was chatting
Clarchen about the projected rid
which did not come off, in which
amusement Won PlanitE assisted; the
little Backfschchen was evidently
vexed and i'll at ease, looking to hcl
sister for help, but the latter was alb
sorbed in the task of pouring out ant
distributing the coffee, aud took TX
notice of the mute appeal.
. Steinhausen locked on i'll silence fol
a few moments, until he mastered tnc
situation.
80 you did not accomplish your ex
cursion, Fraulein Clara" he said 6
last, slowly stirring his cup of coffee.
1.-THE Frap sister would not permi
such tampering with the foe, oh! neil
'.Fraulai1? she would like to train thu
little one in the way she should co
NIGHT wahr, mein Gnadige"
Il would not teach anything saw
loyalty" returned the older sister
Eravely, Offering the speaker q plat
Of biscuits-which Nero, by q suddcl
importunate movement, nearly upset.
"Ah! loyalty; it is a noble quality,
said Stcilhausen, abscntly.
w. Iol c+or+o1 fror, lic coot ~ nc
si3t in saving the biscuitc, and in s.
doing inadvertently caught the sof
white hand he had just been admin;
il his own. The touch was electric
for an instant his thoughts were il
whirl-the next he began to hope that
perhaps, the orders which he was t
await ct Bergfeldcr would not cen
until tomorrow evening" and 60 h
might have more tin>fcr what? h
scarce knew himself.
He began 10 tell Les CT his wall
through the farm with her father.
She said little-having taken Up
piece of elaborate embroidery, O,
which her eyes were fixed.
Suddenly the old servant Hans pre-
scented himself:
IAN orderly wise 10 SPEAK 70 Her
RittmeiSter."
"Oh! bring him il. br-nG him in,
cried the master of the house, who wa
in the highest good humor after tn
delightful occupation of the afternoon
Through the garden, Hans" sal
the young directress of the house
quietly, but emphaticaily. Won Stein
hansen turned his eyes On her, an
their expression CT mingled resentmen
and reproach showed her that h
thnnrht She Shrauk from. nermittinj