The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-10
Ev mrs. ALExANDE
=. PART III. CHAPTER ].
-
Continued.

frived to secure q table suited 10
tete-a-tete supper, and was attending
assiduOusly to the wants OF his com
psnion.
Here's to our speedy and complete
fusion!
ITO United Germany! Eh, meme
Gnadige? i think Saxony is well dis
posed 10 rest under the hsdow Of the
Black Eagle"
''You think so?" she said in tone
pf dissent, yet not refusing to clink
her glass against his
"Tbat is your deep-rooted cOnceit
You account for all shades Of national
feeling in the way least offensive TO
your self-love.
Hanover shows herself n sullen ir-
reconcila able-that is but q narrow ia
naticism, which binds her 10 the adj
vantages Of union with her powerful
neighbor.
"Saxony enduring her anguish in
the silence OF pride, is supposed to hug
her chains.
"Ah, Major Won Stenhausen, long
years will elapse before the forced fu-
sion you exult in becomes real broth
erhood."
80 your ideas are still the same"
he exclaimed.
would TO Heaven you were un-
changed in every way.
But Prussia is right to seize what
she desires at the most favorable mo
ment.
Hesitation, delay, might have blight
ed her hopes, destroyed her prospects,
as they have done mine.
"You cannot affect to misunderstand
mep he added, as he caught a look OF
astOnshment in her eyes.
"You are little enigmatical, ! must
say" she replied, as fat little man
In uniform, came almost at a run,
across the room to clink his glass
against Steinhausen's.
80 glad 10 have you among ms
again lieber Herr Major. Six weeks
ago l never thought you would leave
the Lazaret, except feet foremost
Thanks to your good care my
friend"
Then more people cams TO clink
glasses, and Steinhausen had TO rush
10 one or two distant tables TO per
from similar ceremony, and break
I'm his conversation with Lies was un-
avoidable.
Perhaps this spirit Of enjoyment, per
haps sudden return to more gencr-
Gus food and drink than he had lately
been accustomed to, combined with the
mixture of bitterness and delight
which arose from his meeting with
Lies in her new condition, all helped to
excite in Steinhausen reckless deter
mination to enjoy this possibly last
chance Of free intercourse with his lost
love, and, coute quill coute, 10 express
his feelings to her before they separ-
Bted.
Something in her manner and bear
ing gave him an underlined sense of en-
eouragement.
His scarce-veiled admiration was not
rcpulsed with the cold dignity he
would have expected from Lies as a
wife.
She was certainly glad 10 see him,
and even her contradictions and con
tentions were more playful and indul-
gent than formerly.
Why had she allowed herself to be
drawn or forced into marriage with q
fellow in every way inferior to her2
Why had he (Stenhausen) not sought
her out more perseveringly?
Life had evidently gone hard with
the kindly family of Bergfelder since
those sunny autumn days OF four years
back, and hence perhaps this accursed
marriage.
At this point he drove away, with an
effort, those whirling. interscctiug cir
cles Of thought, and hastened back TO
his partner.
"Therew he cried 81 think l have
touched glasses with all my Bernstadt
acquaintances, and / may reposc my
self.
There is n beautiful moonlight view
from balcony next the cardroom."
"Are you prudent TO risk cold while
you are still convalescentT she
asked.
mo" returned Steinhausen, with an
expressive glance. "No cold will touch
me tonight. But you" He caught
mp a large fur-lined mantle as they
passed a stand full OF helmets and
military cloaks. You have not the
same safeguard. and at least FOR an
other blessed hour you are my care
Lies made no reply, and they reached
the balcony in silence.
Steinhausen carefully wrapped the
cloak he carried around the slight
figure Of his companion, and they stood
q moment contemplating the scene.
The garden and lower portion OF the
town slopcd somewhat steeply down
from the Burgomeister's residence the
snow-laden, frozen trees nearest gilt.
tering Ia the CLEANS of light from the
brightly Illuminated house: then came
the irregular, pointed snowy roofs. and
beyond, the great quiet hills. sleeping
IN the silvery beams poured upon then
from the now sinking moon.
ut is lovelyr' said Lies. softly.
"When last we looked on a fair seen,
together" began Steinhausen. quickly
81 was doubtful. anxious, but not hope
1essl
why were you so unsympathetic. s.
unconmunicative? A word Of explana
zion might have saved me much sui
ferIng.
"Now n real barrier exists betwee
usi ! suppose an insurmountable one.
YES" said she and had Stpir