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

Soreiy disappointed at the result Of
mis- severe and unwonted mental eXer-
ton, Karl, after a moments hesitation,
disappeared.
Some totally new spring of feeling
made the idea of a common mans
coarse inquiries concerning Lies in.
supportable to Steinkausen.
There was something understandable
about this Saxon girl Of woman, the
sort of magic
Which warns the touch while win
ming the sense.
Nor charms US least when it most
repek."
However,, Steinhausen was no boy
yielding to- the force Of a first pas
sion; he. vas quite capable of putting
aside the sudden potent whim which
had seized him, and throwing himself
heartily into his morning task iof, in
spection, the ordinary duty of regi-
mental parade, as if no such fascinat-
ing creature existed.
But these duties over, he galloped
back to the villa, on fire with impa-
tience, to renew the conversation OF
the previous night. which had pos
sessed such a tantalizing charm, and
in which he flattered himself he had
after all, made not SO bad an impress
sion on his sweet antagonist.
He stopped, after dismounting, to
permit the well-trained Karl to brush
the dust Of his early demarch from
his garments and permit his junior
officers to join him.
They found ''Fruhstuck" laid in the
veranda.
The meal, which corresponds with
our luncheon, was plentifully set forth
cold partridge. fruit omelettes, coffee
and some long-Aecked, tempting bot
ties; beside the table sat Frau Cher.
ing knitting, and at the farthest end
Of the veranda stood Clarchen, play
ing coup and ball" with much dex.
terity.
A quiet "good-day" from the lady of
the house, profound bows from the
Prussian officers, and the latter seated
themselves at table, while Clarchen
came forward with shy pleasure, yet
visible reluctance, the result Of mingled
ioy in the unusual excitement Of such
visitors, and patriotic resentment at
having to. entertain them.
After the kindly old German fashion,
she assisted Daisy to wait upon the
guests, and even forgot herself so far
as to make sprightly rejoinders to the
young Fahnrich and Burchardt.
But there was no sign Of Lies.
Indeed, Burchardt had asked Frau
Cheering politely for her "Fraulein
Tochter," and was answered that she
was 'squite well, but always busy"
At last, the excessive demands of the
Fahnrich upon the sugar basin e1-
hausted the supply, seeing which Frau
Cheering told Clarchen to fetch some
more. .....-, K .
81 will go to Lies for the key-bas-
ket,' she replied, and peeping into
the salon, exclaimed: .
"-Ah! she is there; Lies, Lies"'
Whereupon Steinhausen's eyes were
at last rejoiced and satisfied by the
object they longed for.
As she stepped into the veranda in
answer to her sisters call, the Ritz
meister's doubts as to her being mar
ried or single became almost certainty.
She looked o'deliciously matronly in
a black and white morning wrapper,
and a small, delicately white muslin
can. with black ribbons, a lace cravat
tied around her neck, and fastened
with miniature brooch, the minia-
ture of that cemmonplace-looking fell
low whose portrait disfgured the Ritz
meister's room.
The, guests rose and greeted her with
d%eferential bows, which she accepted
with a pretty, gentle stateliness that
went we'll with her air and costume;
but Steinhausen noticed, as she urn
to speak to her mother, that on n
side of her cap was pinned q small
green and white rosette.
"a piece of silent defiance, thought
Steinhausen, but he only uttered a
polite "good morning" and drew for:
ward a chair neal to his ,
She acknowledged h~isSefvility with
a slight courtesy. and selecting a
bunch of keys from numbers in
her basket, gave them 10 her sister,
who disappeared with an air of great
Importance.
MAY 1 Offer. the :gnadige Frau some
coffee?' asked Lieutenant B~urchardt.
Frau Cheering looked up quickly at
the speaker. ,
II thank you" returned Lies, u
breakfasted an hour ago. I hope you
have all you require. gentlemen"
"All that we require, certainly, and
more than we deserve" said the Ritz
meister, smiling.
Twill you not give US the pleasure OF
your company at the table,"
To be continued.
St. Paul's Island Park.
Dr InstpS ,Ohor became. z few