The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-02-03
E~ MRS. ALExAkDER
CHAPTER ".
Continued.


Clarchen here returned with the re-
plenished sugar basin, and. setting it
on the table, restored the keys to their
proper place.
"May ask for n pieceT' asked Stein
bauseD.
With natural impulse Lies dipped
her pretty fingers into the basin (of
course there were no sugar tongs), and
dropped a "Stuckchen" into the Ritt-
meisters cup, their eyes meeting.
She smiled archly, and said, in low
tone:
"To sweeten a little Of last nights
acidityr'
This delicious touch Of coquetry sur
prised and delighted Steinhausen,
opening up 10 him possibilities-sa
OF amusement--which sent moment
ary thrill along his veins.
Better such bitter sweet than un-
alloyed syrup from other hands" re-
turned Steinhausen, gallantly; but
Lies had turned away already and re-
entered the salon, and breakfast pro
gressed 10 happy termination, un-
DrOkeB Dy Olntr NIsltOrs.
Steinhausen rose with some satisfac-
ton; an indefnable impression grew
upon him that this charming Saxon
girl-maid. wife, or widow. whatever
she might be-wss not indisposed 10
play with the impression that she was
TOO observant not to perceive she had
made upon her admirer.
Steinhausen, without any positive
intentions. resolved that the game
should not be all play-of course he
was too old a bird to be easily caught
and marriage-w if be ever thought
OF marriage, il would be in the sense Of
an alliance.
Love, passion, fancy-he had learnt
10 consider these emotions as n pass
ing madness which must not interfere
with q mans career; but Lies lhe
would think Of her only as Lies, that
implied no marriage or entanglemenO,
there was some wonderful attraction
about her, peculiar frank sweetness
that, had he been familiar with Eng
Iish poets, would have tempted him TO
quote:
"sure something holy lodges in that
breast"
Not since his e@Ae fiery boyish days
had merged into ptical manhood
had he received dtiite the same i'm
preston. Yet he tried TO laugh at him
self for his unusual fit of sentimental
ity, and as ne stood thus resisting his
ltnh lie al,
up the veraDda steps, alert, fresh and
neat, from his gray curly head TO his
well-blacked stout boots, came Herr
Amtmann, with cheerful greeting,
and even fainter effort than the night
before at distance and dignity.
TO have people under his roof, TO
feed them with the milk and honey OF
the best viands and his choicest wines,
was enough 10 endeGr them TO the
kindly, generous, simple heart of Herr
Cheering.
Nothing was too good for those that
wanted anything, ana even from enc
mics forced upon his hospitality he
could hardly withhold the tide OF
frlendliness so ready 10 flow toward
whoever had eaten of his bread and
salt"
While the best and amplcst return
friend or foe could make was TO praise
his house and grounds. in which he
took great pride-a pride displayed
with the most unaffected and childlikC
candor.
1t was in ignorance Of this foblc,
and in all sincerity, that the Rittmeis-
ter, after the first greetings, began 10
praise the beauty of the view and the
admirable order Of the garden.
II suppose. Herr Amtmann, you have
clever Vogt (bailiff). The duties Of
your office must leave you but little
time for personal supervision"
ia! Gewissr cried Herr Cheering,
rubbing his hands, with q chucklc of
intense satisfaction. Il have indeed
clever Vogt. My eldest daughter
manages everything everything. 1t is
wonderful, remarkable-so young and
yet such an organizer
Indeed. most remarkable" ciacu-
lated Steinhavsen anxious TO lead him
on.
'YeS, the cows. tho planting. the
reaping Cven" with impressive en-
phacis; "thc che,se-che manages all
1T is much--a little too much for
ono so young, cnd-Jut Herr RIFT
rlcistcr will laugh at fathers cr-
thusiasm.'
Tar from IT," said r,cinhausen, al.
most piously.
II should be glad 10 know something
tf your system. for have a I,ittergut
in silcsian, where they nisuanag,
matters terribly
''Ha! that Is bad-vcry bad. indeed"
cried the host. full CT interest: III after
dinner Eerr Rittmeister would like 20
walk thr )ugh our fields. and look at the
barns, / am sure Lislbet would. that
is" correcting himself "she has her
prejudices. poor thing. which are not
to Be wondered at; but !. gnadiger
Herr, will show you over my small
domains. and then you can juGge-you
can Judge"
Steinhausen listened intcnuy.
Why were her prcjudices not 10 be
wondered at?
How was he (Steinhausel) to lead
him back 10 the prcjudicss of the
adorable Lies? SO he said, with chiv.
alrous politeness:
III your charming Frau daughter
has these strong feelings against us
unhappy Prussians. IL must be very