Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-10-11

She bent her head lit acknowledge
ment, while q slow grave smile parted
her lips.
"Gnadige Frau?" repeated Stein
hausen. Impossible" But his watch
was over: a bright, dark'eyed little
girl Of thirteen or fourteen. her fair
hair in long plaits. tied also with black
ribbon, came quickly through the glass
door, with large garden-hat in one one
hand, which she held out to the fair
"keeper Of the keys" speaking at the
same time with some eagerness..
The lady wnom stemhausen nad 80
sedulously watched Immediately put
on the hat, and, gathering up her long
muslin dress, fastened 1t in the silver
clasp hung around the waist for that
purpose. ,.. ,
Followed by the young girl. she de-
scended the steps, and walking quick
" through the yard, was soon beyond
Steinhausen'S ken.
The scene had occupied fewer min
utes than I have pages in describing
it.
Steinhausen strobe quickly across his
room and opened the door; 1t led into
that occupied by Won Planitz and
Burchardt, which was vacant; but be-:
yond, a sound Of brushing and Kissing
mindful of his duties.
"Karl," cried Steinhausen.
"Her Rittmeister?" A gaunt, tall
figure in fatigue jacket quickly pre-
sented itself.
"Send that-Martin here" 49,,
ia wohl, Herr Rittmeister."
In q few minutes heavy thump on
the door was followed by the entrance
Of trooper.
Martin. how 90 the horses?. There
are four unfit for service left behind
by the last party, l am told"
ia, Herr Rittmeister! two are still
very bad, the feet intiamed; one will
be scarce fit for much again"
After few more questions on regl.
mental matters, Steinhausen. throwing
himself back in his chair, said sternly:
Look here! Twill have no insolent
airs played off. The people Of this
place are civil and hospitable, and
there is no need to make them more
unfriendly than they are"
The man gazed, open-mouthed, too
astonished to reply.
"There, thick-head," exclaimed the
Rittmeister. have you spoken so much
Bohemian jargon that you cannot un.
derstand honest German when you
hear it?"
"Donner-wetter! do not understand
what Herr Rittmeister means! Who
has complained of me?
"Gott! l have been an angel Of po-
liteness and good-nature since I came
In here, and"
"Silence" cried his officer.
II saw you just now stand there,
like an audacious scoundrel as you are,
and stare and grin at the gnadige
Fraulein when she was feeding the
pigeons"
Zach, Gott," said the man, the objec-
tionable grin stealing back over his
large, strong features.
"That was no matter! the gnadige
Frau is very friendly with me. She
didn't mind!
"You see, Herr Rittmeister. was
with the rear guard; we did not get up
here till past noon; it was hot-hot as
a furnace. -.'.~
'"Instead of turning into this heav-
emily place, it was my Ill luck to have
to go on higher up to q poor hovel of a
Hausier; but the road behind there
brought me past a window, and saw
through into the kitchen, where they
were baking and cooking. and chop
ping and grating, and the Gnadige
stood in the midst and ordered every
thing like a real Oberst."
"Cut it short, Martini" interposed
Steinhausen.
ia wohl, Herr Rittmeister. Well, l
was nearly dead with thirst, so that
looked in and asked for. glass of
water; with that the gnadige Frau
turned her sweet eyes on me, so grave
and still, and says she:
"'Poor man, he looks hot and weary;
enemy or no, give him some drink for
the sake Of our own dear ones far
away, and suffering, too
$50 she handed me a big glass, so
high" holding his hand over the table.
Zach! it was heavenly cold-dew
was all over the sides, and foaming,
and"
His powers Of description exhausted,
he smacked his lips and stood silent.
$50, in return for the young lady's
goodness you come back to stare rude
ly-for you had no business here, if
your quarters are elsewhere"
"But, Herr Rittmeister! she is the
lady of the house they all obey, and
call her Gnadige and gnadige Frau.
81 think her man is either dead or
away with the army, and the Herr
papa and Frau mamma either stay
with her or give all into her keeping.
"But If Herr Rittmeister had but
seen the face Of the cook, cranky
Frauenzimmer-"
"Silcnce, Martin, no more gossip;
right about, march," The man saluted
AID walked stiffiy away.
Karl" called Steinhausen, after q
few minutes pause.
"Here. Herr Rittmeister." aud Karl