The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-01-06
CHAPTER III.
The house seemed empty

The house seemed empty
When Won SteiDhausen reached the
parterre, which was occupied by the
reception rooms, not a creature was
TO be seen.
However. nothing daunted, he open
ed door; il was evidently that Of
Herr Papa's study" or business room,
and contained large writing table,
heaps Of papers, book shelves laden
with sombre, solid looking volumes "A
lamp with a green shade. etc. Stein
hansen, turning sharply away ana
shutting the door. was face 20 face
with a neat little "Stubenmadchen.'
with the pretty. Characteristic apron.
the "Latzchen," OF bib part. fastened
10 the bosom with ornamental pins Il
coquettish muslin and lace cap partly
cOncealing her naxen hair.
"Achl Bite! die Herrscbaft honor-
able company are all out il the gar
den. or the fields" she said, with tie
true Saxon sing-song.
IF the 'GnadiCer Herr Wi. take q
seat in the salon they will soon return
or by here"-thrOwing open the door
ana pointing TO that leading to The yer-
anda-"he can into the garden aud al
lees descend"
Steinhausen, with n quick "Dauke
sehr." entered, and. as the door closed
behind him. stood moment irrcsolute
In the middle Of the cool, fragrant
room. which had something gracefully
homelike in its simplicity
But Steinhausen's irreSOiute mo-
ments were usually Of short duration.
The coast being clear be SAID TO
himself:
1T is permissible in an enemy's
country to reconnOitre,' and. glanclng
round, he very deliberately proceeded
to examine the books, a number OF
which were piled on an oval table
pushed into a corner under a bracket
which supported bust
Among the volumes were some
French memoirs. several English nov
els and books Of travel. German poe
Try. etc. some English newspapers,
too, lay about.
Steinhausen, not being familiar with
the language, turned from them with
slightly cOntemptuous expression OF
surprise in his upralsed brows
Near the sofa stood another table,
with a beautiful Mcisscn china dish,
full OF sweet lowers, and round II lay
four or five photograph albums Of va
riOus sizes.
"Haw said Steiahausen, almost
aloud. as he caught sight OF them.
Here. no doubt lies clcw TO the
family history and drawing n chair
to the table he began his inspection.
No. /, a large book, was full OF land
sca1es ard street views. all adorned
by prettily designed borders or frames
neatly drawn.
No. VIZ very varied collection of
portraits, principally OF young girls
and children, many with signatures
foreign names predominating. There
was also a fair sprinkiing OF men. old
and youn, with and without uniform.
Now ! have it," he thought. IS he
opened No. .. and in the first page
recognized the strong resemblance be-
tween bright looking elderly gentle
man and the bust on tie bracket
This is the family book
He was quite absorbed.
Soon he found out that the little
girl he had seen speaking with the oh.
ject of his curiosity.
And then the Fraulcin. or Frau. her
self. in deepest black, with the Saddest
expression, but with that graceful
turn OF the neck and shoulder-he
would know it among a thousand,
Further on was another portrait OF
hcr-diifercnt, yet not younger look.
ing, less depth, less intellect in the
face
The longer he looked the more he
perceived the change which had taken
place since this picture had been TAX
en-, q: perhaps il was bad photo
graph.
But who is this on the opposite page
smiling at her with all his might?
The same officer whose likeness hung
in his tStenhausen's) room. only older
and less simple looking.
Pooh. Quite common style or
fellow"
To which opinion the Rittmcister
was guided 10y strong feeling of un-
accountable dislike rather than sound
judgment.
Another officer was also TO be fire.
quentiy seen at all stages. from u
cadet &c lieutenant.
Go be ContinueGD