The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-01-27
CHAPTER Ill
Confined.


while Stelnhausen racked his brain
for some fresh topic by means OF
which he might relieve his curiosity
and ingratiate himself.
She was dreadfully provoking; and
the irresistible, amused smile which
crept over her lips as the silence con-
tinued seemed as IL she was aWare Of
his difficulties.
1.-THE gnadiges Fraulein is lover OF
the dumb creature she cares for so
kindly" he said, at length.
II could not resist watching you this
evening as you stood in the Uof yOn-
der and fed your pigeons"
"You did" she exclaimed IN sur.
prise.
IL trust ] may be forgiven, Gnadigc
Frau-Fraulien or FrauW he asked
lnsinuatingly.
whichever you like" she returned,
unmoved.
But, pardon me, should like TO give
you your proper titIe.'
ut is of no consequence" she said,
slowly, as she threaded her needle.
Your accuracy or your error are
alike To me- while tomorrow you will
ride away, and the memory 'Of your
passing curiosity Will have faded be
fore you reach your next quarters"
without raising ber eyes she worked
steadily on.
But ] shall not ride away to.mOr-
row, nor perhaps the day after" cried
Steinhausen, impetuously; "and il my
memory is 10 retain nothing Of the in
teresting hours ] have spent under
your hospitable roof, do you imply that
yours will be more enduring"
much more" said Lies, pausing as
she drew out long thread.
II shall always retain a most vivid
recollection Of your visit, and those Of
your fellow soldiers who preceded
you"
She spoke emphatcaliy, looking up
straight into his eyes with an effort
TO be grave, while slight but mis-
chieyous smile would steal into the
dimples of her cheek
Il understand, Fraulein," reu~1~t
Steinhausen, charmed, yet surprised |
and nettled by The spirit with which
she answered.
lie despised soft, sentimental women. |
yet resented self-assortion, with the !
consistency common to men in other |
countries besides Germany.
"A painful impression is not so easily |
shaken of"
No reply.
II mean gnadige FRAU, that the NOR
lihcati0n of receiving prussian sol
liers leaves its mark.
- But may / not urge, that, being by |
The accident Of birth ana circumstances |
one of these unfOrtunatcs, could !.
with any sense OF honor, decline TO
serve my king. my government?
And, being ordered here, am l 20
blame for forcing myself upon your
reluctant hospitality"
q lie spoke in wounded tone.
1T is true said Lies, gravcly.
perhaps am unjust.
but, Herr Rttmeister, imagine your
sisters, your wife, your mother forced |
to receive Saxon soldiers, rs we are to
receive yours
mo stretch of my imagination could |
depict such state Of things" he re-
turned, with light laugh, which
brought the quick, eloquent blood 10
LESS cheek.
But if such an event could happen,
and | had mother, sister or wife,
which / have not, they would, / am
sure, be less upkind, less cruel than
you are"
Cruel! Pooh! That is n large word
for little fruitlcss wordy anmosity"
There is animosity, then? You al
low it,"
"Ilow could IL he 0thcrwiSe?" cried
Lies, throwing down her work, when
your unnecessary ambition has caused
the sorrow and impoyershmcnt of n
whole people. the suffering of those
Nearer TO us than our own lives. the
ioss often of all that makes lifc worth
diving
She stopped for moment and Gov
cred he" face with her hands.
"You make me wish myself a Sax
on said Steinhausen, in low tones,
which showed he was deeply moved.
"Ah! if YOU werer cried Lies, re-
moving her hands and looking at him
with sudden, strange impulse.
And if ] We're? What thcnY he
asked, drawing nearer.
"Saxony would have one more brave
capable soldier. no doubt. Herr Ritt.
melster,' she replied quietly.
Stenhausen rose and walked toward
the veranda.
Through the open ,hor he saw the
smart little "Dienstmadchen." Daisy.
setting out table for the benefit of
his brother officers.
Clarchen had vanished.
On looking back he was alarmed 10
see his fair antagonist folding up her
work as IL TO retire
"We have infringcd the rule yor so
forcibly laid down at supper. mein
Fraulein," he said
Politics and religion should never
be discussed in mixed society; and
small as IL is. ours is very mixed So
ciety, NIGHT wahrf"
$50 permit me TO touch on more per
sonal matters.
You have some very dear TO you
with the armyi'
II have-many: my brother. and |
others, relatiyes-friends."
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