The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-02-17
Nv MRS. ALEXANDER.


| dispatch 10 Rittmelster.
Steinhauscn took IL, broke the seal,
and opening 4, glanced at It's contents
a look OF fierce discomfort darkening
his brow as he read; then, crushing IT
somewhat in his hand, said TO his
brother officers:
1--WE march early tomorrow, gentle
men. We must be in Dresden by
noon"
Then TO the soldier:
"You can go. have no further
orders"
Hans take him to the kitchen; give
him food and drink, said the kindly
Frau Cheering.
"March to-l.orrow' cried Burchardt.
THAT is a misfortune! one would
ike 10 rest month tong in such a
heavenly house as yours, gnadigc
Frau
And no chance for a ride now, licbcr
Fraulein," sai1 the Fahnrich 10 Clar-
chen.
Does any other party succeed TO
yOursT asked Lies.
Zach! / am sorry" exclaimed the
hospitable Gerichtsamtmann.
1--WE shall not soon find gentlemen
so courteous and accommodating as
Yourselves" to which ciyility Burch-
ardt made n suitable reply, and some
talk cnsucd, unhceded by Stelnhausen,
who was sunk in prOfOundcst silence.
This order shattered his haif-formed
plans; il forced him TO turn his back
on the first mOrscl Of real, vivid inter
est and delight that he had tasted
for ycnrs. 10 forego the clucidatiOn OF
the mystery which tantalizcd and at
traCted him.
IT seemed a lifetime since the same
fierce cagcrness had thrilled his nerves,
and ii came back to him like renewed
youth.
A question from the judge broke the
spell and compelled his attention.
Pardon me! / did not hear
81 merely asked If the view from the
balcony above answers your eXpecta-
tions. Herr Rittmeistcr"
what ViewY asked Stcinhauscn,
quickly. 81 have not yet had a chance
of seeing IT,"
"Why. Lies" cried her father. inn
patiently, "why did you neglect my
request?
Now, perhaps, tho Rittmcister may
leave without seeing the best view
from the villa or from anywhere else
in the neighbOrhood.
please conduct him at once TO the
upper balcony. ] would gladly accom-
pany YOU: but letters | have neglected
this afternoon must bc written, and
pray do not miss this fine sunset
Lies rose silently, hcsitatcd an In
stant. and then, bowing to Steinhau-
sen. led the way through the salon to
staircase ascending to the first hoor.
Here the Prussian officer exclaimed:
IL believe il would only be polite IN
me 10 relieve you from the perform
ance of task so evidently unwci'
come: butt should like to see the
view Of which your father spoke
ut is no unwelcCme task to show you
the beauties of land so little esteemed
by your countrymen.'
Little esteemed! Why do you say
so?"
THAT is Of no consequence. Fray
follow me. and confess that SaHOny at
least has beauty OF which you cannot
deprive her.
she rmilcd as Ghc spoke with some
thing of q Jest and earnest, preceding
him upstairs and through another
salon which Stciulauscn had not yet
seen.
Che long French windows of this
apartment opened on balcony which
ran along the north side of the house,
and, pass'rg through one Of them,
Lies lcSnt against the balustrade, and
with q silent but expressive gesture
stretched Cut her hand toward the
wide landscape, and then let it slowly
fan q her side.
Pre.cccupied as Stc'nhauscn was by
his clgernes5 II improve this prob
ably last tetc-a-tetc with the object of
his admiration he was for a few sec
ends rivetcd Ey thc unusual beauty Of
the view before him.
Below relied the broad silver silent
highway" Cf thc ElAc.
4 widc.sprcadirg plain - the left
was sprinklcd with villages. each clus-
tCring round church or tower; and far
away the domcs and stecales of the
capital were Cirlly discerlible.
At the other side Of the river the
banks stretched more o less stceply
up % the forest heights, which again
led n 10 thc bohemian mountains; and
TO tie right. like isolated giants, stood
the rocly masses OF the Sillenstein,
and the royal. fortress crowned 10.
nigstCin. all stepped in the golden haze
OF glowing autumnal sunset. all
sleeping il a stiffness SO profound as
almost 70 be felt.
Stcinhausen looked at the fair scene
in silence. and the grave expression
OF his Companion's face deepencd and
Softcned into sadness.
She lcant her elbows on the parapet,
Gn1 rested her cheek on her clasped
hands.
At length q low sigh, unconscious!y
breathed. struck on the Rittmelster's
ear.
He turned his dark. stern eyes upon
the figure beside him.
"To-morrov," he began. i'm n softer
tone than usual. and paused-"to.mor-
row. then, l leave Bergfeldci. and pr.
haps may never again behold this
loveliness." Tiers or that Of the
sceneryD