Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-12-20

Are you afraid Of Herr Haupt
mann's displeasure at our demarch?
mot at ALL she answered; he is fal
too much occupied with Gretchen to
think Of me-"
Greatly surprised at this admission,
Steinhausen, looking into his compan.
IONS eyes. ventured to observe:
"This Is to me incomprehensible; to
you 1t must. fear. be very painful"
He spoke feelingly, and with unusual
difidence for him.
mo" she returned, with what he
thought bitter smile; ''On the con-
trary, it is in many ways a relief"
Steinhausen's heart beat exultingly
at this extraordinary avowal, and vet
an odd sort of disappointment mnrred
his complete satisfaction.
Lies was to him not only charming
woman, the touch of whose hand sent
subtle, delicious thrill through every
vein, but an ideal woman, tOO-and his
first ideal!
For a moment he did not know how
to reply.
For a moment he did not know how
70 reply.
He feared to presume on her strange
he hoped peculiar-confidence in him.
But her manner left him in doubt,
| and while he doubted. the first sleigh
Of the party they had left behind came
round turn of the road under the
great rock. and rapidly approached.
| Steinhausen uttered a strong express
sion of disgust.
II did not think they were so close
! upon our heels" he said
Lies made no reply. but after an in
stant's silence. said, as she played
somewhat nervOusly with the scarf she
had taken from her head:
"Tell meas we have fallen into a
confidential tone-why Frau Won Stein
hansen is not with you!'
Frau Won Steinhausen" he repeated,
greatly puzzled. "Who is she?'
Your wife, Of course" said Lies.
opening her great blue eyes.
my wife! l have nonc-l never nlur'
ried. Who told you so:'
81 thought understood you to say
that"
You misunderstood OF mscOnstrue1
anything l could have said" he in
terrupted, eagerly.
"Ah. Lies! distance, time various
distractions may have dimmed the
first vividness Of the impression you
made upon me, but no other has ct er
interfered with 1t.
| Must l never tell you of the agGly
it is to feel that you are another'u-
another who does not value the jewel
he possesses--'
He stopped. for the long line of
sleighs were all In sight, and the first
almost at the place where they stood.
Lies still gazed at him as If be.
wildered, then sudden, bright, sweet
smile lit up her face: quick blush
fitted over her cheek, she looked down
and had Just begun to speak:
IL think l begin to see how the mis-
| take" when the newly arrived
sleigh driver shouted from beneath:
you We're not SO far ahead. after
all, Herr Major, though you did break
our rules SO boldly"
Better break rules than b0ncs.' re-
turned Steinhausen, hnstening down
the steps to assist the lady who occu-
pied the second seat in the sleigh to
eXtricate herself from her fnrS.
She was pretty, simple girl Of sew
cnteen, the Burgomeisters daughter,
and as soon as she was liberated from
her profuse wrappings she ran up the
steps to link her arm through that of
Lies, and began chatterlng at rapid
rate.
The rest of the party now drove up
in quick succession, and the large
room of the Restauration was crowded
with gay, laughing. noisy, talkative
groups. which contrdsted with the
deathlike silence and Stiffness which
rcigned without.
Most of the gentlemen charioteers
had delayed few moments to sec
personally to the accommodation of
their horses, but they soon Joined the
rest. and then coffee was brought, and
the pleasant confusion Of finding seats
ensued.
During this time Steinhausen care.
fully bestowed his attentions on every
other lady except Lies. yet never lost
sight Of her.
He saw that she talked with much
animation with nearly all the ladies'
and many of the gentlemen.
He noticed a light in her eyes, q
bloom on her cheek that made her, in
his opinion, quite lovely; and he at
tributed both to the excitement of
wounded feeling.
He saw, too, that brute Of a husband
Of hers speak to her with an angry
brow and look that made Stein
hausen long to tear him limb from
limb.
And how sweetly she smiled upon
him in reply! Steinhausen wondered
at her.
1t would be wiser to show more
spirit. So, internally chatting, he sat
down with the rest to take his coffee.
Now the ladies' according to German
sleighing custom, attended sedulously
to the wants of their chilled cavaliers,
whose hands, numbed with cold,
despite the thick fur-covered driving
gloves, could scarce at first hold plate
or pick out the slices Of rich cake
which were handed round.
(To be Continued.)