The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-13
.E~ MRS. ALExAN0ER

Her dress, too, was almost un-
changed.
The same description of soft, white
muslin, little more gauzy than what
she wore at Bergfelder, only the black
ribbons were gone, and others, Of a
bright but delicate blue, futtered in
their stead.
Won Steinhausen did not think the
sight OF Ter would have sent SD keen
a thrill IF pleasure and of pain through
his heart.
So he had found her again, only to
find her lost to him!
He fixed his eyes upon her unob-
served, and studied with intense in
terest the expression of her face.
1t was more pensive than before
almost sad, but very gentle; and the
sweet, clear, truthful eyes. what a
yearning depth in their liquid blue!
She had passed, and stood with her
partner opposite Steinhausen, when
Eauptmann Gehring came up, and,
bending close, whispered some fam
iliarly confidential communication, at
which she looked up with a sudden
bright smile. and nodded as though
they perfectly understood each other.
This was more than Steinhausen
could stand, and, the tired musicians
ceasing their strains, he followed the
dancers, who began to stream into the
next room, and even into the entrance
hall; but his eyes, in spite of himself,
still singled out the attractive figure
with unspeakable envy.
Had he found her free, still to be
won, he would probably have been
considerably less moved by her pres
ence.
Other motives might have held him
back from grasping what he now so
passiorately desired.
That qu.et, commonplace Haupt-
mann! on him be would like to wreak
his vengeance.
It was he who had robbed him Of a
possible heaven; for. with the ingenuity
common to such a frame Of mind, he
now decided that Lies had only been
engaged" and reluctantly engaged,
when he had met her more than four
years before.
If this detestable cousin had not
stood in the way, what might not have
happened:
Steinhausen left out Of the reckon
ing his subsequent occupation. the
not unnatural fading of his first i'm
preston, and consequent slackness i'll
following up the pursuit; but now
now that she was out Of his reach
he felt ready to break every law
that kept her from him.
In this mood he found himself-by
the gradual dispersion of the dancers
as they formed fresh engagements.
and returned to the large salon-be-
side a group who were talking sayly
in the doorway leading into the dining
room.
It consisted Of the BurGomeister,
resplendant in deep red satin and rich
white lace; the detestable Hauptmann
Cheering; Lies herself, and another, q
rather pretty, dark eyed little woman,
in black velvet.
They did not at first notice Major
von Steinhausen, till Lies, who was
speaking with some animation, and
playing with her fan. dropped it.
Steinhausen restored it to her With 4
lsaJ, c1, nnf,
ing his eyes fully.
4 startled, eager, questioning ex-
preston came into hers, then she
looked down, The color rising in her
cheek as she twisted the silk cord Of
her fan nervously round her fingers.
Steinhausen. with thrill Of exulta-
ton, observed that, although she did
not actually recognize him, his like
ness to his former self moved her visi-
bly,.
Major Won Steinhausen." said the
Frau Burgomeister. pray allow me
to make Herr Hauptmann Cheering,
ny cousin. known to yon. Frau Che
ring-Fraulein Cheering" continued
the portlv, radiant dame. with a COM
prehensive wave Of the hand toward
both ladies, WHO courtesied at the
same moment; but Lies, with bright
smile and momentarily graceful! hesi-
tation. held out her hand.
Then you are indeed the Rittmeis-
ter Won SreinLausen l knew in my old
home"
How LiesG' asked the husband.
ooh. mein lieber Otto. Have l not
told thee OF our Prussian invaders, and
how rude l was:''
ia. gewiss! but now We all fight
under one banner.
so. AIN honorel 10 make YOUR
acquaintance. Herr Majo", and hope
you are quite recovered from the effect
Of Your wound:
The Herr Doctor has been telling
me YOU fell IN benevolent effort to
save wounded Saxon officer before
Sedan
"You are very good" returned Stein
hansen. whose attention was absorbed
ny q thick glance from his former an
tagonist. : glance which spoke an
amount o1 recognition Tor the aid
given 10 4 Saxon which did not help TO
steady the recipients pulse.
y was nOi very successful IN my al
tempt
The gentlemen continued the conver-
satiOn for few inmates, the I&upt-
mann expressing his regret that the
loss of lis arm at honigsratz had dis
abled him for further service and COM