The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-24
played no trick upon you" cried Lies.
whD WAS still very pale.

played no trick upon you" cried Lies
whs was still very pale.
I'VE have both been self-deceived. ]
did not understand that you thought
was my cousins wife till q couple OF
hours ago. when we were waiting for
the rest Of our party ind your allusion
last night to the barrier which you
knew existed between us, made me
think you were yourself married.
1T was awkward Immediately 10
explain. ] thought It would be better
-less-less terrible TO write. Pray for
| give"
"Meine Geliebte, ~ interrupted Stein
hausen, trying TO find her hand among
the furs I'm which she was wrapped,
"the knowledge that you are free Is
too delicious 10 leave rsom for any
thing but delight.
| IL breathe, / hope again; tell me
tell me how all this tissue OF mistakes
arose"
He had found the hand, which, after
moments hesitation. was gently
withdrawn.
when the Frau Burgomeister pre-
| sented you 10 us last night, you must
have taken Gretchen for Fraulein and
myself for Frau Cheering, and nothing
occurred 10 correct the error.
my own conduct must have con-
firmed you in your mistake"
~ see II ALL" cried S:einhausen; "but
90 on, explain everything, the old mys-
terry which 30 puzzled me at Berg
fielder"
"Ah! that is long story" replied
his companion, the color coming back
to her checks, and sweet, conscious
smile 10 her lips, as she proceeded 10
relate the history, interrupted by per.
tlnent questions from Steinhausen,
which drew out minuter details.
Lies, il appeared, had sister few
years older than herself, TO whom she
had been fondly attached, and whom
she closely resembled
This sister was early married to her
cousin, the Hauptmann Ghering-a
very happy but shortlived union.
At the end OF two years the young
wife was carried off by fever, leaving
an infant daughter first to an1ict and
then 10 comfort the bereaved father.
About a year and half after the
death OF her sister. Lies was greatly
surprised by proposal from her
cousin that she should be that sisters
successor, and mother to the little
niece she cherished so fondly.
In Germany such proposition had In
II nothing revolving, and although Lies
at first, from personal disinclnation,
rejected her brotherinlaw's offer, she
was over-persuaded, especially by her
mother, TO accept IT, supulating only
that the engagement almost as serious
an affair in Germany as marriage)
should not be formally announced until
the second year OF her brother-in-law'
widowhoOd had elapsed.
Before that period, strong convic-
ten had grown upon her that she
could not and ought not to complete
the sacrifice urged upon her by her
family.
At length, by tremendous effort OF
moral courage. she brought herself TO
explain her difficulties to the Haupt
mann himself.
A most painful struggle ensued, for
the unhappy widower was more in
lsve with her than she believed. and
angry beyond description at his dis
appointment.
The war of sc broke out at this
In Of
Lies had first to endure the great trial
of parting on unfriendly terms from
her cousin, for whom she had sin
cere sisterly regard, and then the fur
ther grief, when he Jay severely
wounded after Koniggratz, Of his re-
fusal to permit her 10 go and nurse
hin, or TO come to villa Bellevue, that
the whole family might care for and
tend him.
In this depressed mood saddened
and sobered by the disappointment she
had caused every one. she was reused
to q little of her old playfulness 10y
Clarchen's report Of the curiosity re-
specting herself expressed by the
Prussian Rittmeister when looking at
her photograph, and which the little
Backfschchen accidentally over
heard.
Lies determined that the intruder
should not be gratifed. and gave the
servants strict injunctions TO that ef-
feet.
Accident, and her father and mothers
warm sympathy with the rejected
Hauptmann, assisted her game, which
the unexpected fire and earnestncss Of
her PrusSian admirer made more ear
nest than she had anticipated.
Having once mystihed him, she was
ashamed TO explain, and his evident
sincerity half alarmed. half interested
her.
So much she could not help ackrowl.
edging.
Many anxietes and serious losses
followed the disappearance of the
Prussian troops, and amid this gen
eral gloom her only CLEAN Of comfort
was the announcement of her cousin
and brother-in-law's engagement TO
pretty Silesian girl. relative OF the
Burgomeister. and the consequent res
toration of the frank friendliness
which used 10 exist between then.
Herr Hauptmann Cheering had been
about a year married. and this was
Lies first visit TO her kinsman in his
new home.
All this opJ MANY ,oO~o nor,icrIorS