The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-02-01

as II determine 10 keep Tue tdlh "
herself, but she came to a halt at
last.
1.-TWO years ago." repeated the Ritz
meister, somewhat i~rrelevantly.
His thoughts, though he had listened
to her quiet, pleasant voice with full
attention. had yet. been occupied with
the question: 4
If, two years ago, she was away in
England, when did this unfortunate
marriage of hers take place?
Surely not preyiously-she would
have been too young; and if since, and
her husband was dead, she'could hard
~ have left off her widows mourning!
1.-TWO years ago! Was it, then, a
wedding Journey"
The lady blushed crimson.
Herr Rittmeister forgets his self
imposed discretion" she said, coldly;
"all personal and offensive subjects
were to be avoided"
"A thousand pardons," he returned,
earnestly, and, thinking her eyes full
of tears. he mentally swore at him
self, as an unfeeling brute for his in
considerate curiosity.
81 will not again offend, but" press
ing his hand on his breast, IF I could
lay my heart open before you, you
would. perhaps, find the interest you
choose to term idle curiosity neither
impertinent nor objectionable"
There was force and dignity in his
gesture, but his companion made no
reply, and after walking a few PAGES
in silence, Steinhausen asked, with a
smile:
MAY I be permitted to say that I
much wish 1 could inspect the Dresden
Gallery?"
mo" returned Lies, struggling to
suppress an answering smile; Ito men
ton the few possessions left to us de-
feated Saxons only suggests u losses
and your gains for centuries"
"Ah! / could answer that"
eff you will, but I shall wish you
good-morning."
But, Gnadige, suppose I chose to
keep your company, how would you
get rid Of me?" he exclaimed, a little
irritated by her composure.
"Oh! Some things are impossible to
a gentleman, and 1 presume, Herr
Rittmeister Won Steinhausen, Of the
Prussian army, is a gentleman"
II hope So" said Steinhausen, with
a laugh that sounded a little hard. D.,
But under the gentleman lies the
original man, and some things, sweet
Saxon, try and tempt a nan sorely."
She glanced up at him with a sur
prised, frightened look in the, large,
earnest blue eyes, that made her COM
panion's heart beat much faster than
was necessary; the look was moment
airy, and she said very coolly:
1--WE do not seem to be successful in
avoiding forbidden subjects; try an.
other, Herr Rittmeister."
He laughed partly at her remark,
partly at his own longing to take her
in his arms and deal out a liberal
punishment in kisses, and the idea
Of her indignation could she have d.
vined his thoughts.
well, then. what shall it be? Oh!
Italy; have you ever travelled in 1taly?"
mo; have you?
Eyes, about three years ago." and
anxious to recover any ground he
might have lost, Steinhausen spoke
well and pleasantly, though always
with a tinge of cynicism, of his Italian
experiences.
He found an intelligent and Guilt
waited listener, and the peace or truce
between them was not infringed for
the remainder of their walk. -
Often the memory of that pleasant
hour came back to the RittmeiSter in
far distant scenes-the little wooden
ravine, %debouching on the rich green
fields and linden trees of the river
side: the sweet, soft air, the song of a
soaring lark, the peaceful, utter still
ness around them, as if they alone in
habited the earth, a new Adam and
Eve, though Adam in glittering Hus-
sar trappings was slightly incongru-
Gus; the more natural tone of his COM
panion, whose guarded GOODNESS SEN
sibly melted away in the interest of the
conversation.
Then what sweet long glances he
occasionally received. what pleasant
glimpses Of a charming white, we'll
turned throat and pretty pink ear he
caught when, with half-averted head
and downcast eyes, she listened grave
ly to some description or theory, which
latter she generally disputed.
But, alas! pleasant things never last;
and it seemed to Steinhausen that be-
fore he had said half he had to say,
or made half enough Of this blessed
opportunity, they came to a bifurca-
ton Of the path-one leading uphill to
the villa, the other away to the rivers
edge"
IF you follow this path" said Frau
or Fraulien Lies, you can get a very
charming peep at Pillnitz, our kings
summer place, Or"
"Oh. by all means let us take the
riverside in our ramble," interrupted
the Rittmeister.
You can, if you wish it. I must
take the shortest way back. I have
already been too long absent"
Steinhausen's only reply was to turn
with her, keeping close by her side on
the homeward road.
i The conversation thus suddenly