The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-03-01

She re-entered the cardroom, and as
Steinhausen assisted her to take of
the cloak he noticed that she had
turned very pale and her hands trem-
bled.
you have taken cold!' he exclaimed.
"I should not have asked you to go out
there"
1T is nothing, Herr Major-a mo-
mcntary chill"
"Ha. meme CUTE F~reunden" cried
the Burgomeister. a little b~reathless
from mounting the stairs. Il have
been looking for you everywhere.
Herr Major, you have your horses
here, NIGHT wahr?
I'VE have Just been arranging a
sleighing party for to-morrow-to Fal-
kenberg. Herr Adjutant Stromer will
be the leader. You will join US, will
you nOt:'
with pleasure. gewiss! I do not
care what K;esburg-what the doctor
says
He comes, too! He says it is all
right.
I'VE assemble at noon, here in the
market place. and'-to Lies, as he
rubbed his hands exultingly-"the
Hauptmann has consented to stay over
another day"
So saying, he hustled away to COM
| plete his arrangements.
You will be my companion, will you
not?'' asked Steinhausen, eagerly.
IL fear I cannot" said Lies, hest
tatingly.
1.-The party was spoken Of before
supper, and I promised the Adjutant
to accompany him, only Otto did not
think be could remain-but suppose
| Gretchen wishes to 60"
A slight sigh. which Steinhausen in
terpreted hastily to mean that Gret-
chen, the lttle dark-eyed, doll-like
cousins wishes, were paramount to
hers.
What a scoundrel, to have such a
pearl, such a priceless jewel, and not
to prize her beyond all else!
"Oh, I suppose he thought you did
not care about sleighing," suggested
Steinhausen, his heart beating at the
possibilities suggested by this indif-
ference.
"Ob, he knows I like it-better than
almost anything else"
Can you not manage to throw over
Stromer, or-will you leave it to me-"
" think the engagement had much
better stand"
"Lies-forgive me; I cannot call you
by any other name-you are unspeaE-
ably cruel.
"In a week or two I must rejoin. my
regiment. l may never look upon your
sweet face again. Right OF wrong,
grant me this hour Of happiness-come
in my sleigh"
81 would be wiser and better I should
not" she returned in a low tone, apd
| Steinhausen 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 e1-
change these words, and the band just
then began the delightful "Soldaten
Lieder Ealse."
Steinhausen's keen eye caught the
figure of the detested Hauptmann lean
ing over a 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, and saw that she,
too, observed it.
well WE'LL" thought Steinhausen,
with all the eager fire of his nature, sis
there 10 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 a last request; the
worst criminals are not refused that;
one turE-a first, and perhaps a last,
tour de ralse."
Lies made NJ reply, but as he put
his arm round her she raised her hand
to his shoulder. and they whirled away.
regardless of doctors, barriers and all
other considerations, floating to the de-
licious music!
A sudden bump brought Steinhau-
sens thoughts at last down to earth,
or rather the parquet.
1t was the Hauptmann and his IA
vOrite cousin. who were looking into
each others eyes, and Enthusiastically
happy.
They sailed on Indifferent to the col
~lision, but, in the sudden effort to hold
up his partner, S%teinhausen felt the
quick beat of her heart against his
own. as, no doubt the sight Of such
evident faithlessness must have cut
her to the soul.
mo, do not stop yet; once more
round" as she made q slight motion
as if to stop; and he continued il low,
deep tones:
IF forbidden anything beyond, al
least accept friendship the most de
voted.
II see and understand all; and re-
member, if l can in any way tighten
your sorrows, you may4 command my
life"
He pressed her ~passionately to lis
heart.
Major Won Steinhausen, this is toe
much" she returned, stopping reso
lutely
You disturb and distress me.
You should not forget the obliga'
tons Of which you have yourself
spoken.
.I cooroalu n1orc1op nj rnr TrNmicc