Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-08-17
~ Mze. ALsxANDee.

She held a tolerably large basket in
her hand. which she held up as she
approached the steps Of the veranda.
See. dear motherl I have picked
Eve schock pease so we have enough
for a regiment"
She smiled as she spoke, a bright
but very heeting smile, gone almost
before you caught the brightness; and
her face reassumed its habitual ex-
preston, thoughtful. earnest, pensive.
almost sad, With a yearning depth in
the clear blue eyes.
"a regimentF' repeated Frau Cher.
ing.
Part Of one will no doubt help to de-
your them"
Hans has just told me a hussar has
been here to speak to your father-ths
avant courier, suppose, Of the ex.
pected party"
what. morer cried Lies, her coun.
tenance clouding over.
when viii the end Gomez When
shall we be relieved from these in.
fllctions?
ut is too hard to be obliged to lavish
on our enemies care aud comfort our
own dear ones are forbidden to share.-
ut must be nearly over now. Lies.
"But tell me. child, IS all prepared
the sleeping rooms, the"
"Yes, mother, all.
80 soon as the last left yesterday,
Suschien and l made all ready for the
newcomers. whom my father thought
might arrive.
''You may trust me"
81 dol always do, Liebling.
"You are the best of little Haus-
Fraus."
The young lady kissed her hand to
the mother.
Twill take these pease to the kit
chen, she said, "and look once more
TO our good Marie's preparations.
"We must be well provided for such
visitors
She walked away with a quiet dig
nifty of movement which hardly suit
ed her youthful face and figure
An hour later. and the quiet little vii
Iage was all alive with soldiers and
horses, the rattle Of sabres and jim
gle of accoutrements.
Before every door groups of weary.
dusty men and horses were gathered.
seeking quarters and presenting bill
les.
A party Of ten OF fifteen. followed by
two officers. slowly rode up the hill to
Villa Bellevue.
The officers. distinguished looking
men in spite of their travei-stained as
pect. laughed and talked cheerily. en-
iivened by the prospect Of rest and re-
freshment. as they admired the view
and augured well for their entertain
ment from the air Of comfort and cul-
tivation which they observed.
A few yards from the gate Of the
villa. the elatter of horses hoofs drew
their, attention, and Herr Fahnrich "
Planftz. the younger, and consequent
" the most curious. turning in his sad
die. exclaimed:
ut is the Rittmeister-it is Won Stein
hausen."
Whereupon they drew rein till Joined
by another officer, evidently Of the
same regiment. tall. broad-shouldered
man. splendidly mounted. although his
charger showed signs Of hard work.
$50 you're here. Won Steinhausen."
Cleared of your invalids?" were the
remarks addressed to him.
"Yes, it's myself. though dare say
look ghostly enough. have seen
the wounded safely housed, sent OF
a report, and been in the saddle since
daybreak.
Come along. comrades. II this wiz
10 p our destination. it looks delicious
l. cool and shaGy.
What visions OF iced Rhenish and
seltzer seize my brain at the sight of it,
Come onF'
Sc. in deep. rich voice. with ring
of command in its tones. spoke Won
Steinhausen, and pressed his weary
horse up the hill, and in few minutes
more the three officers dismounted at
the entrance of the villa, where Hans,
whose whole aspect was a silent, sto-
lid protest against the presence of the
foe. stood waiting by his mistress's
orders to direct the military guests to
their respective quarters.
Zach. Himmelr' said Won SteinhAu.
sen,as he swung down from the sad
die.
II feel as if could sleep all round
the clock. I'll just take a mouthful
and then TO bed.
"You must present yourselves to the
sGnadige Frau if there is one. without
me.
=. MAKE my excuse; say prefer sleey
TO dinner. but at the 'Abend Brod !
hope to make my bow. Adieu.
Come. old sulky. show me my
ROOM" and following Hans, he dlsap-
peared into tue interior. his comrades
calling after him. "Sehiafen sic
wohl."
The room into which the reluctant
Hans ushered Herr Rittmeister Won
Steinhausen was well calculated to in
lite repose.
Its windows looked upon the Hof, or
courtyard, at the other side Of which
We're the stables and farm offices.
They were sheltered by the villa IT.
self from the morning sun. and fur
ther shaded by q large walnut tree,
under which a spring bubbled up and
filed large. rough stone basin; its
overflow. escaping in tiny rivulet,
stole away to supply pond in the oct.
er farm yard. where a goodIy number
Of ducks and geese, with its help. grew
and multiplied.
The room itself, simply furnished.
but exquisitely clean; the snowy bed
linen all perfumed with sweet laven
der which had laid among them.
Won Steinhausen glanced approving
ly at the easy chair. the writing mate.