The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-03-17
s~ M1s.'ALExANDEe.,


now that they kept Oh Indifferent
topics.
She was evidently familiar with the
country and gave him many particu-
lars OF its history and traditions.
At length as Steinhausen vas be
ginning 10 think they had bad enough
Of Indifferent subjects, and that his
fair companion was rather too much
at her ease the road, which had hlth-
erto been constantly ascending, ap-
preached the first rocky, pine
sprlDkled hills that guarded the en-
trance TO the valley and village which
was the object OF the excursion, and
began 10 descend the side OF pictur-
esque gorge. at the bottom OF which
in summer time gurgled and chafed
little stream. now still and silent in the
iron grasp Of winter.
The hills rose high at either side,
studded with huge gray rocks which
stood out on all kinds Of fantastic
shapes. loaded with snow on one side
and bare on the other, as the wind
had drifted; the great solemn pine
trees looked dark and weird over the
exquisite dazzling white which shroud-
ed the earth; the death-like, utter 81
lence was almost oppressive.
They might have been the first hui
man visitors that had ever broken
in upon the profound solitude, 50 far
az appearance went
A sense Of their complete isolation
seemed 10 force Itself upon Lies Gehr-
ing.
She turned once or twice TO look
back and said:
How far we have left the rest be
hindw
"Yes; they will not be up for this
half hour" returned SteiDhausen, cool
". But that Is no matter. What
curious rocks" pointing 10 n gray mass
high above their heads and III front OF
them.
"It is called the Basket woman,
she replied, land here on the left is
the stein Book
"See! you can trace the head and
horns quite well. The shapes OF the
rocks here are very curious"
Very curious, indeed" said Stein
hansen. looking about him. "They are
strangely worn and cut
Learned people say that a great
lake or sea once filed up this valley
and the country round, and these rocks
are worn and shaped my the action Of
tides and currents.
IL believe Bohemia was once an in
land sea, and we are close 70 the from
tier"
CLOSE 10 the bordcrs| replied Stein
hansen, laughing and cracking his
whip.
at is temptation 10 cross IL and
bid our party long farewell"
And yglancing at his companion, he
laughed again at the expression, half
annoyance, half fear, that crossed her
face.
"You believe me capable of any wick
edness, ] suppose" he continued
"Do you not also believe that, what
ever temptation may assail me, my
first thought is and ever will be for
you?
You may trust il my deep regard
for you"
Lies was silent, and when she spoke
again II was TO direct him which OF
two rather faint tracks TO take.
They had traverscd the windings Of
the gorge, which now opened out in
an oblong valley or basin, ut one side
OF which was q small "Dorf," the
houses looking like white hillocks
above the universal snowy mantle that
lay thick and soft upon the earth.
Over the village lowered sudden
mighty mass OF rock rising six or seven
hundred feet. quite clear from all the
other hills and crowned by the grace
ful ruins OF a "<lostcr."
The sides were plentifully dotted
witt pines and gnarlcd fir trees; but
here and there great sheer surfaces of
rock showed bare and uncCuh with
sort Of savage strength.
Underneath the read wound past the
hrst outlying better houses, through
the narrow street, and finally, by Lies
directions. they stopped at larger
and more pretcntlous "Restarration"
than could have been expected in SO
small place.
IT was built on tic side Of the hill or
rock. and was reached by fight Of
steps.
The view over the valley was very
charming. and the principal room was
quite surrounded by windows that
commanded it.
a rcspcctablc-loolin: woman was
standing at the door TO receive them.
while within warm stove and long
piles Of cakes, showed they were ex-
pected.
Stcilhcrscn threw the rcins 10 his
groom ami assisted Lies 10 disentangle
herself from her wraps and 10 alight:
then tho horse and sleigh were led ofc
TO TIC stables. and they ascended the
steps 70 the little terrace before the en-.
trance 10 the "Restauration."
Here Lies paused. and looking back
along the road by which they had just
come. said, rather anxiously:
II can see no sign Of them yet"
II thought heard faint sound OF
music returned SteinEausen: "they
are not far OF" he continued, aud
yentured u add:
Are you afraid of Herr Haupt.
mann's displessure at our demarchy"
Not at ALL" she answered; he is far
too much occupied with Gretchen to
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