The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-01-18
CHAPTER Ill
Continued.

And there was a pause, the young
lady composedly tracing the leaves OF
q rose, part of which already glowed
ON the silken screen she was working
while Steinhausen 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 if she was aware OF
his difficulties.
1.-THE gnadiges Fraulein is 4 lover OF
the dumb creature she cares for sc
kindly" he said, at length.
Il could not resist watching you this
evening as you stood in the Hof yon'
der and fed your pigeons"
"You did" she exclaimed in sur
prise.
81 trust 1 may be forgiven, Gnadige
Frau-Fraulien or Frau?" he asked,
insinuatingly.
Whichever you like" she returned
unmoved. ..,,.. &c.
i: "But, pardon me- should like to give
you your proper title"
1T is Of no consequence" she said,
+, slowly, as she threaded her needle.
"Your accuracy CT 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 her eyes she worked
:; steadily on. ' .. ..... ..
But I shall not ride away to-mor'
row, no. perhaps the day after," cried
Steinhausen, impetuously; land if my
memory is to retain nothing of the in
teresting hours l have spent under
your h%ospitable roof, do you imply that
= yours will be more enduring?".
/ Much more" said Lies, pausing as
she drew out a long thread.
II shall always retain a most vivid
recollection of your visit, and,those of
your fellow-soldiers who preceded
YOU" '.
She spoke emphatically, looking$ up
straight into his eyes with an effort
to be grave, while a slight but mis-
ehievous smile would steal into the
iimples of her cheek.
II understand, Fraulein," replied
Steinhausen, charmed, yet surprised
and nettled by the spirit with which
she answered.
He despised soft, sentimental women,
vet resented self-assertion, with the
consistency common to men in other
countries besides Germany.
"a painful impression is not so easily
shaken Off"
No reply.
II mean, gnadige Frau, that the NOR
LITIGATION of receiving Prussian SOL
diers leaves its mark.
But may I not urge, that, being by
the accident of birth and circumstances
one Of these un~fortunates, could I,
with any sense of honor, decline to
serve my king, my government?
"And, being ordered here, am I to
blame for forcing myself upon your
reluctant hospitality"
He spoke in a wounded tone.
ut is true" said Lies, grayely.
e"Perhaps I am unjust.
; "But, Herr Rittmeister, imagine your
sisters, your wife, your mother, forced
to receive Saxon soldiers, as we are 10
receive yours"
mo stretch Of my imagination could
depict such a state of things. he re-
turned, with a light laugh, which
brought the quick, eloquent blood to
LESS cheek.
But if such an event could happen,
and I had mother, sister, or wife,
which I have not, they would, I am
sure, be less .unkind, less cruel than
you are"
Cruel! Pooh! That is a large word
for a little fruitless, wordy animosity."
"There is animosity, then? You al.
low it,"
How could it be otherwise?" cried
Lies, throwing. down her work, when
:. your unnecessary ambition has caused
the sorrow and impoverishment of a
whole people, the suffering Of those
1earer to, us than our own lives, the
loss often of all that makes life worth
diving"
She stopped for a moment and GOV.
y cred hec face with her hands. "
You make me wish myself a Sax,
on" said Steinhausen, in low tones,
which showed be was deeply moved.
"Ah! if you were" cried Lies, re.
moving her hands and looking at him
with q sudden, strange impulse.
"And if l were? What then?" he
asked, drawing. nearer.
"Saxony would have one more brave
capable soldier, no doubt, Herr RIFT
meister," she replied quietly.
!, %Steinhausen rose and walked toward
the veranda.
Through the open door he saw the
smart little. :Dienstmadchen." Daisy
setting out a table for the benefit Of
his brother officers.
Clarchen had vanished.
On looking hack he vas alarmed K
see his fair antagonist folding up hel
work as if to retire
1--WE have infringed the rule you 81
iorcibly laid down at supper, mei1
Fraulein," he said.
politics and religion should never
be discussed in mixed society; ant
small as it is, ours is 4 very mixed so
ciety, MIGHT wahr?'