The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-02-01
R~ MRS.
, CHAPTER ".

Continued.
so, with sound reason in his head
and a thrill of wild delight in his
heart S%teinhausen '!closed with the
chase"
pardon me, gnadige Frau" he said,
"can I return to the villa by this
road?"
You can" she replied, with a very
slight start and increase of color; fol
low it to where there is an old cross
nalf sunk in the ground by an oak
ree, and you will find a footpath
which will lead you back through the
liver meadows"
Thanks; you seem to be going in the
same direction-may I not accompany
gouY
Another slight blush and a very cold
bow Of assent; they walked on a few
PAGES in silence, down a narrow raVine,
n the shelter of which was a pleasant
growth of beech and chestnut trees,
with here and there a tall, graceful
hrch.
THE shade was most welcome, and
cool breeze from the river famed
steinhausen's hot brow.
You see, I did not ride away this
morning." began the Rittmeister at
last.
Il am but too glad to avail myself
bf the discretion allowed me- and let
myself and my poor fellows enjoy a
brief repose in your happy valley; in
Iced: the difficulty will be to leave it."
life in our happy valley is but little
suited to such as you" she answered,
seven I find it a little monotonous."
""I should imagine a life so active as
vours would be free from any feeling
sf dullness."
GLOW do you know / am active"
she asked, turning to him with a smile
rs she closed her sunshade and used it
Tor a walking stick.
"Oh! a very small degree of observa-
lion would enable n to perceive that
much, ever if your Herr papa had not
detailed all your business abilities to
nae as he was kindly showing me the
photographs this .
Did my father show you the pho
tos?'' interrupted his company quickly,
with an uneasiness she could not quite
fepress. IT..
"He did," returned S%teinhausen with
significance, and looking full into her
eyes.
Lies, blushing deeply, turned away
as if annoyed, and the Rittmeister,
after an instant's pause, continued in
alower tone:
Il must entreat pardon for what
may have seemed to you indiscreet
curiosity; 1 shall be. more. prudent in
future, more absolutely obedient to
-FOUR tacitly-e1pressed wish; hereafter,
perhaps"
"Say 10 more-speak Of something
else," she interrupted, hastily, and a
silence Of some minutes ensued.
At last, with a frank, pleasant laugh,
Steinhausen exclaimed:
How difficult it is to avoid any one
forbidden subject, and when there are
swo OR three a fellow does not know
where to turn; l dare not speak Of
war, or Prussia. or Saxony. or my own
Impressions, or, worst deprivation of
Ell, your"-he paused, as if with diff
guilty suppressing some epithet-"yOur-
Eelf."
If the effort to find conversation is
30 trying" said Lies, with an arch
smile, land it must be, pray do not
punish yourself; so OIL shall sit here
In the shade, and, at least, you can
have the freedom Of your own
thoughts"
mo, no! certainly not" cried Stein
hansen, eagerly, unless you absolute
ly object to my company.
Let me walk with you-to-morrow
you will be free from the presence Of
the detested Prussian; but ~to-day-let
me enjoy to-day, come what will to-
morrow"
There was a touch of passionate en-
treaty in his tones that, perhaps,
reached his listeners heart, for al
though she made no reply, she turned
her eyes to his with a wondering, yet
not unkindly expression, and breathed
n slight sigh as her glance sank under
his
Now" continued the Rittmeister,
''as I have confessed the poverty of
ideas, will you not come to my aid?
The world stands with you"
With a quick, arch nod, she said:
Have you ever been in England
that, surely; is safe?"
S%teinhausen laughed. mo, l have
not; have your
Eyes"
when, may / ask"
about two years ago."
did you like it~ said the Fitrhels:
ter, recovering his equanimity suf-
flciently to light. Z fresh cigar.
in some ways, yes; in others, not
at ALL"
What displeased the gnadige Frau?'
She looked up quickly for an instant,
and replied:
1.-The life is somewhat tiresome; PEG.
pie are always en- grand toilette, and
the eating is such a solemn unGertak.
ing, and SO p~unctual-no n dares to
be two minutes late; and, although
women are freer, and seem to have
more power than here, I do not think
they are. really any more loved or re.
spected.
Then there is great GOODNESS be-
tween the servants and the Herr