The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-15
PART II. CHAPTER II. i

Continued.
ODposite Steinhausen sat Haupt
mann Cheering, and the former coulC
hardly bring himself to answer the
good-humored commonplace remarks
addressed to him by his successful,
rival. as he noticed the assiduity with
which that audacious little dark-eyed
cousin waited upon him. sweetened his
coffee, heaped cake upon his plate
and absolutely leaned her hand upon
his shoulder.
1t was too barefaced! But his atten'
iion was agreeably diverted.
He was delightfully."- surprised by the
quiet care bestowed upon him by Lies
In after days he reflected with sur
prise on the pieces of cake he de
voured and the cups of coffee he calico
for on that memorable occasion.
1t was 80 heavenly to have the cake
handed over his shoulder by Lies
small firm hand, and, turning TO thank
her, to find her sweet eyes and lips SO
near, and yet. alas! so far.
Why was she so distractingly kind?
Was it really meant for him, or de-
fiance of his opposite neighbor?
II the latter. it was unwise to rouse
suspicion at that stage of affairs.
Indeed. Steinhausen, was beginning
to wish he was away in the solitude
Of his own rooms, that he might: think
we some wild plans that would sug'
gest themselves to bis imagination.
Matters we're evidently becoming des'
perate between the HauptDann and
his injured wife, and -
Well, divorce is not such a tremen-
dous affair in Germany, especially
when a husband has no objection,
though he was not so engrossed by his
pretty attendant as not to cast angry
glances at S%teinhausen occasionally
toward the end of the repast. =
At last. as the vigor of the onslaught
somewhat relaxed. the kindly Burgo-
meister, standing up in his place, called
aloud that they would have no more
Of daylight than would permit them to
view the ruins-at least, such of them
as were disposedto undertake the steep
and slippery ascent. .
LET those who follow me hold up
theri hands"
Two-thirds of the party obeyed.
Come, Gomez. cried the Doctor, to
Steinhausen, this is too much!
Dancing last night, driving this
morning, climbing this afternoon!
II positively cannot allow my patient
such license.
"Stay here by the "Ofen' quietly and
eest, while we make the ascent.
II have a journal in my pocket, very
much at your service, and perhaps"
my good friend" interrupted Stein
hansen, r%esolutely, IT feel strong
enough to set you at difance, and I am
determined to see the ruins. There is
no use in talking to me-" and, missing
Lies as be turned around, he went
hastily into q small outer room or en-
trance hall, where, rather to his sur
prise, he found the object Of his search
In close conversation with Burchardt.
They were evidently enjoying a good
Joke. for Burchardt was laughing loud
~, and Lies mirth, though less noisy,
was fully as hearty.
Both stopped on ~perceiving the Major,
and, on his asking what amused them,
Lies was silent and Burchardt replied
that he (Steinhausen) should know all
about it before the day was over
The party was soon ready for the
ascent, and with many sliding, slip
pings, and not a few falls, with jest
and laughter, and much good-humored
chaff, they climbed the steep hillside
Burchardt making himself excessively
obnoxious by keeping at the side of
Frau Cheering, and talking in the most
needless way of that husband Of hers
a topic evidently unwelcome to the un-
happy wife.
At length. as they approached a
suddenly found the eXertion too much
for him, and turned back to join the
older and more indolent members of
the company who had stayed behind.
This move, however. did little toward
fayoring the tete-a-tete which Stein
hansen sought.
Lies kept p~erseveringly with the rest
bf the party, and he had to console him
self by walking as nea her as possible,
and assisting her in the various diff
culties Of the path.
AT length the summit was reached,
and the company dispersed to examine
the ruins.
The small space at the top of the
lofty rock had been completely covered
by buildings of rare beauty, to Judge
by the remains-graceful arches, long,
pointed, slender windows. the delicate
tracery still unbroken; f1uted columns,
and ribbed cloisters, the openings at
one side showing q sheer descent some
hundreds of feet to a thick pine wood,
fnclosing a small lake, all thickly GOV.
cred with the purest snow, and spark.
ling in the sunshine, already showing
q red evening tinge.
Here Steinhausen found himself al
last alone with Lies, and his first Ques
ton was:
What were you and B%urchardt
laughing at so heartily"
"Oh, only at a mistake one OF the
party had made-the Rittmeister vii
fell you about it, much better than
could.
"How lovely these ruins are, ani
even more beautiful in winter than il
summer. when I first saw them.n