The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-10

Steinhausen assisted her 10 take of
the cloak he noticed that she had
turned very pale and her hands trem-
bled.
You have taken coldp' he exclaimed.
II should not have asked you TO 30 out
there"
at is nothing, Herr Major-a mo-
mcntary chill"
"Ha. melne CUTE FreuDdenw cried
the BurgOmeister, a litde breathless
from mounting the stairs. IL have
been looking for you everywhere.
Herr Major, you have your horses
here. NIGHT wahrf
I'VE have just been arranging n
sleighng party for tomorrow Fal-
kenberF Herr Adjutant Stromer will
be the leader. You will join u.s. will
you noti"
with pleasure, gewiss! do not
care what Kiesburg-what the doctor
says"
"He comes, too! He says it is all
right.
1--WE assemble at noon, here in the
market place. and"-to Lies. as he
rubbed his hands exultlngly-"the
Hauptmapn has consented to stay over
another day"
So saying, he hustled away to com
plete his arrangements.
You will be my companion, will you
notT asked Steinhausen, eagerly.
II fear ! cannot" said Lies, hest
tatingly.
"The party was spoken OF before
supper, and ] promised the Adjutant
10 accompany him, only Otto did not
think he could remain-but suppose
Gretchen wishes TO 60"
A slight sigh, which Stcinhausen in
tcrprcted hastily TO mean that Gret-
chen. the lstle darkeyed, doll-like
cousins wishes were paramount to
hers.
what scoundrel. to have such n
pearl, such a priceless jewel, and not
10 prize her beyond all else!
"Oh, ! suppose he thought you did
not care about slelghing" suggested
Steinhausen. his heart beating at the
possibilities suggested by this indif-
ference
"Oh, he knows like it-better than
almost anything else"
Can you not manage 10 throw over
Stromer. or-wlll you leave IL to me"
think the engagement had much
better stand"
Lies forgive me; cannot call you
by any other name-you are unspeak-
ably cruel
"In y week or two must rejoin my
regiment. ! may never look upon your
sweet face again. Right or wrong
grant me this hour Of happiness-come
in my sleigh
IL would be wiser and better | should
not" she 'eturncd in low tone, and
Steinbausen felt her arm tremble in
his; and yOu-you must not ought
not, TO forget the barrier of which you
spoke
They paused in the doorway to eX-
change these words. and the band just
then began the delightful "Soldaten
Lieder Nalse"
Stelnhausen's keen eye caught the
figure OF the detested Hauptmann lean
ing over chair on which the pretty
little cousin was sitting, his eyes. bear
ing, attitude all expressive of the
warmest, tenderest feeling-he glanced
at his companion, aud saw that she,
too, observed A.
"Well. wellr' thought Steinhausen,
with all the eager fire of his nature. "is
there no way OF severing these tangled
cords?"
But he only said. as the magic Of
the music extinguished his small re
naming stock of prudence:
AT least grant last request; the
worst criminals are not refused that;
one turn-a first, and perhaps a last,
tour de valsc"
Lies made no reply. but as he put
his arm round her she raised her hand
TO his shoulder, and they whirled away,
regardless of doctors, barriers ana all
other considerations, floating TO the de
licious musicl
A sudden bump brought Steinhau-
sens thoughts at last down TO earth,
or rather the parquet.
lt was the Hauptmann and his IA
vorite cousin, who were looking into
each others eyes. and unmistakably
happy.
They sailed on indifferent TO the col.
llsion. but, in the sudden effort 10 hold
up his partner, Steinhausen felt the
quick beat OF her heart against his
own. as no doubt the sight of such
evident faithlcssness must have cut
her 20 the soul.
mo. do not stop yet; once more
round" rs she made a slight motion
as II 10 stop; and he continued in low
deep tones:
"lf forbidden anything beyond. at
least accept friendship the most de
voted.
II see and understand all; and rc
member IL | can in any way lighter
your sorrows. you may command m,
life"
He pressed her passionately TO Lii
heart.
Major Won Steinhausen this is TO,
much" she returned, stopping reso
lutely
"You disturb and distress me.
"You should not forget the obliga
tions of which you have yoursel
spoken
II scarcely understand you. Pomis
never TO speak in such strain again.
And so goodnight; am weary. yer
| weary"