Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-12-13
Nv MR9. ALEXANDER.

! III ~ IOL pIuutuI AOI eltACI VI 10 "
remain here. Pray, come downstairs
again."
She re-entered the cardroom, and rs
Steinhausen assisted her to take of
the cloak he noticed that she lad
turned very pale and her hands trem.
bled.
| "You have taken cold" he exclaimed.
II should not have asked you to 50 out
there"
ut is nothing. Herr Major-a mo-
mentary chill"
"Ha, meme quito Freunden!" cried
the Burgomeister, little breathless
from mounting the stairs. II have
been looking for you everywhere.
"Herr Major, you have your horses
here, NIGHT wahr?
I'VE have just been arranging n
sleighing party for o-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 Kiesburg-what the doctor
says"
"He comes, too! He says 1t is all
right.
1--WE 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 l cannot" said Lies, hest
tatingly.
"The party was spoken Of before
| supper, and promised the Adjutant
| to accompany him, only Otto did not
I think he could remain-but I suppose
Gretchen wishes to 60"
A slight sigh. which Steinhausen in
terpreted hastily to mean that Gret-
chen. the little dark-eyed, doll-like
cousins wishes were paramount to
hers.
What scoundrel, to have such a
pearl, such priceless jewel. and not
to prize her beyond all else!
ooh, l suppose he thought you did
not care about sleighing," suggested
Steinhausen, his heart beating at the
possibilities suggested by this indif-
ference.
"Oh. he knows like it-better than
almost anything else
Can you not manage to throw over
Stromer, or-wll you leave ii to me?'
think the engagement had much
better stand
"Lies-forgiye me: cannot call you
by any other name-you are unspeak-
ably cruel.
I'm a week or two I must rejoin my
regiment. may never look upon your
sweet face again. Right or wrong.
grant me this hour of appness-come
in my Sleigh"
II would be wiser and better should
not" she returned in low tone. and
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 ex-
change these words, and the band just
then began the delightful "Soldaten
Lieder Valse."
Steinhausen's keen eye caught the
figure of the detested Hauptmann lean
ing over chair on which the pretty
little cousin was sitting. his eyes. bear
ing, attitude, all expressive OF the
warmeSt, tenderest feeling-he glanced
Mt his companion, and saw that she,
too, observed it,
"Well, WE'LL" thought Steinhausen,
there no 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 last request: the
worst criminals are not refused that;
one turn-a first, and perhaps last,
tour de valse."
Lies made no reply but as he put
his arm round her she raised her hand
10 his shoulder. and they whirlcd away,
regardless Of doctors, barriers and all
,ther considerations, floating to the de-
! ,icious music!
A sudden bump brought Steinhau-
sens thoughts at last down to earth,
,r rather the parquet.
| 1t was the Hauptmann ana his IA
1orite cousin, who were looking into
/ Zach others eyes, and Enthusiastically
Happy.
They sailed on Indifferent to the col
ision, but in the sudden effort to hold
Up his partner, Steinhausen felt the
luick beat of her heart against his
,wn. as no doubt the sight of such
her to the soul
"No. Go not stop yet; once more
round" as she made slight motion
us il to stop; and he continued in low,
deep tones:
"If forbidden anything beyond. Mt
least accept friendship the most de-
voted.
81 see and understand all; and re-
member, If 1 can in any way tighten
your sorrows, you may command my
life"
He pressed her passionately to his
heart.
Major Won Steinhausen, this is too
much" she returned. stopping reso.
lutely
| "You disturb and distress me.
| "You should not forget the Obliga-
tons of which you have yourself
spoken.
II scarcely understand you Promise
never to speak in srch a strain again.
"And so goodnight; am weary, very
weary"
There was sound as of tears in the