Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-10-05
CAApEER WI


The little sister blushed crimson,
held down her head and became sud-
denly silent.
The words were meant for her ear
alone, but they also reached those OF
the watchful Rittmeister, who. divin-
ing their import, with ali impulse OF
irritation laughed scornfully, as he
remarked "that the young Fraulein
had not reached the age at which
prejudice hardened into consistency"
At last the repast was over, cere-
monious bows and murmured "Geseg-
nete Mahizelt" exchanged.
Lies slid quietly from the room, and
at the same time the Amtmann seized
Steinhausen's arm.
''Now. Herr Rittmeister. l am at your
service.
ave will make little tour of the
Gut and 1 will fully explain my
principles Of management"
The pleasant little gentleman, rub
bing his hands, stood, his head slight
ly on one side. bright, alert and brim-
full of useful hints wherewith to en-
tighten his friend the enemy.
Irritated and disgusted as he was,
Steinhausen could not help unbending
to the simple. kindly, well-bred coun-
try gentleman.
"You are very friendly, Herr Amt
mann." he returned. graciously.
II hope l do not trespass too much
upon your precious time"
"By no means-by no meansl This
way, Herr Rlttmeister. Permit me
to direct you"
For nearly two hours did Steinhausen
perambulate the various Enclosures Of
Herr Amtmann's Gut" and enter
eagerly inte his hosts explanations.
The farm had, indeed, every requisite
save water; and this the Amtmann
had intended to supply by machinery,
already purchased, and placed in a
small building beside a deep well
which lay at the foot of the hill; but
the breaking out OF the war. and the
consequent absorption Of skilled labor
ers in the army, had arrested the
work, and the good Judges outlay had
been hitherto unproduetive.
"a sad loss to me, my dear sir" con-
cluded the little man, "for 1t will be
some time before bring matters into
working order; and Lies, too, she feels
1t much-this delay"
At last the Judges exhaustive expo
sition of his system. his small econo-
mics and larger outlays, his checks
here, his discipline there, came to an
end.
The precious hour Of repose was
over. and Won Stelnhausen was pleased
to think it must be time for afternoon
coffee-not that his inspection Of Herr
Gherings farm was devoid of interest
TO him-like most Germans of his age
and standing, he looked forward to the
time when, his soldering days over,
he would turn for occupation and In
terest to the pursuits of a country
gentleman.
Stiil, 1t was much more agreeable to
sit in the shady veranda, and sip the
fragrant coffee handed to him by his
fair antagonist.
The two gentlemen found all the
party. including the dog Nero, assem-
Died In this favorite resting place.
Lieutenant Burchardt was chatting
Clarehen about the projected ride
which did not come of, in which
amusement Won Planitz assisted; the
little Backfischchen was evidently
vexed and Ill at ease. looking to her
sister for help, but the latter was ab-
sorbed in the task of pouring out and
distributing the coffee, and took no
notice of the mute appeal
Steinhausen looked on in silence for
a few moments, until he mastered the
situation.
$50 you did not accomplish your ex-
cursioH, FrauleiH Clara" he said at
last. slowly stirring his cup Of coffee.
''The Frau sister would not permit
such tampering with the foe, ehi mein
FraIlein? she would like to train the
little one in the way she should CO.
NIGHT wahr, mein Gnadige?"
81 would not teach anything save
loyalty" returned the older sister.
graveiy. offering the speaker a plate
of blscuits-vhich Nero. by a sudden
importunate movement, nearly upset
"Ah! loyalty; it is noble quality"
said Stelnhausen, absently.
He had started from his seat to as.
sist In saving the biscuits, and in so
doing inadvertently caught the soft
white hand he had just been admiring
in his own. The touch was electric
for an instant his thoughts were in q
whirl-the next he began to hope that,
perhaps, the orders which he was to
await at Bergfelder would not come
until tomorrow evening, and so he
might have more time-for what? he |
scarce knew himself
He began to tell Lies Of his walk |
through the farm with her father.
She said little-having taken up a
piece of elaborate embroidery, on
which her eyes were fixed
Suddenly the old servant Hans pre-
sented himself:
AN orderly wishes to speak to Herr |
Rittmeister.r
On. bflhg Rim IN, Drlng MIN In" |
cried The master of the house. who was |
In the highest good humor after the
delightful occupation of the afternoon. |
"Through the garden. Hans" said
the young direcrcss of the house,
quietly, but emphatically Won Stein
hausen turned his eyes ON her, and
their expression Of mingled resentment
and reproach showed her that he
thought she shrank from permitting
their salon to be polluted by the pres
ence of Prussian trooper soldier.
This was not what she meant, and
feeling 1t was not possible to explain,
an mexplieable sensation Of annoyance
brought the color TO her cheek in
quick, fitting blush, which did not es-
cape Steinhausen's observation. even