The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-01-13
CHAPTER II.
Continued.

"I wonder is she maid, wife or Wild
owr exclaimed Steinhausen, clasping
the book with an impatient snap.
"Bab, what is il 10 meY'
He rose and saw by clock on the
console at the end OF the room that
ne had been occupied with the photo
graphs for nearly three quarters Of an
hour, and so completely that he had
not heard q very light football or per
eeived q small figure that had stolen
through the yeranda 10 peep at the
Prussian, just as he had closed the
book with the foregoing exclamation.
This is slow work" be thought. II
will see what is TO be found In the
garden"
Whereupon he descended the steps
and walked away down the first alice
which presented itself.
Meantime the quiet of the entrance
court was broken by the unwonted APP
pearance OF an open carriage, driven
by an evidently hired driver, and
drawn by two weary, dropping horses,
the whole, as well as the two ladies
who sat therein, covered with dust.
As they stopped at the open door
Hans came forth TO answer their eager
demand for Herr Gerichtsamtmann."
"Gone out! screamed the elder lady.
"Why / was told at the Gerlchtsamt
I'm Pirna that he must be at the villa,
as he had not been in town today,
and, wcaried as we are by long rail
way journey, we hired carriage ana
came on. j really must see Herr
Gerichtsamtmann"
Hans was not q little overwhelmed
by this attack. He was willing to do
the impossible at the command OF so
great lady, but with the best of wills
he could not evoke the Gericbtsamt-
mann from space.
SO. as the next best thing he humbly
suggested an interview with the Frau
Amtmann.
This amende was not graciously ac-
cepted, and the ladies, alightiDg, per
Mitted Hans TO usher them into the
Herr Amtmann's arbeitzimmer, or
study, while he sought his mistress,
and announced that Fran Baronin and
Fraulein Won Wuthenau wished to
speak with her.
Frau Cheering, by no means over
powered by these specimens OF no
bility, although they declared them
selves Prussians to boot, explained
that she expected her husbands return
every moment and begged they would
repOse themselves till he came, offer
Ing them q Dresden morning paper,
md clearing crowd of books and
documents from very comfortable
Easy chair that the Frau Baronin might
rest after her long drive.
Meantime the sound OF voices. which
he recognized as his brother officers,
led Steinhausen from one part of the
garden TO the other, and at last he
came up with them just as they were
called in TO supper by the smart little
maiden who had shown him into the
salon.
$50 you are awake once more, Herr
Rittmastef," said Lieutenant BurCh-
arlt
"Oh, mein liebcT Steinhausen! This
Is n perfect paradise after our Bohe
Il
itz. with Peri to do the honors|
"HowY said Steinhausen shortly.
"The eldest daughter is most
charming creature-a little stiff and
too coldly polite" said Burchardt.
"Dgnfed, you mean" corrected the
Fahnrich.
well, deucedly uncommunicative,"
continued Burchardt. "At all events,
the Frau Mamma seems too cast down
to take part in anything, so after
coffee the Fraulein asked us IL we
should not like TO walk around the gar
den, conducted us 10 the first alice, and
with polite excuse, left us"
"We have read all the papers we
could find, gone round to the stables,
made friends with a bright little Back
fischchen' school girD. and now are at
the end of our resources. So come
along to supper
"Fraulenn' repeated Steinhausen.
SIS this prominent parsonage, then un-
marred?"
II suppose So" said the lieutenant
Struggling his shoulders. though she is
little too grave and self-possessed for
n young maiden
mo matter-to supper, comrades. 60
supper"
The three officers ascended the steps,
and. passing through the salon to the
diningroom, the doors of which were
open, made their bows to the lady OF
the house. to whom Burchardt present
eel Won Steinhausen.
With brief apology for his non-ap-
pearance at dinner the Rittmcister
looked round as il 10 find his place. but
in vain; only Frau Cheering and the
little girl he had seen in the courtyard
were present.
Here. Herr Rittmeistor," cried the
latter, with an air of much Importance.
please sit here between Lies and
papa"
MY husband was unfortunately
called away 10 some distance this
morning." observed Frau Cheering,
"but we expect him for supper"
The Rittmeister bowed. and took his
appointed seat with alacrity.
In another moment the object of his
thoughts would be beside him. and
dozen opportunities must occur. he
fore the evening meal was over, for
satisfying his curiosity.
The same homelike charm which
pervaded the house and household wa,
perceptible In the sale manger.
Its pale gray walls. relieved 10y th,