Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-09-07
CHAPTER IL
Continued.

81 had two nephews among the
wounded-one is scarcely expected to
recover, and his unhappy mother had
had no opportunity Of bidding him
farewell before the regiment marched
to Konlggratz."
At this name Frau Cheering moved
somewhat restlessly, and glanced at
her daughter. whose color rose visibly
and becomingly.
Nevertheless, said the noble Frau.
lein, with a rather sentimental up.
turning of the eyes, ''he fell glorlously
for his Faiherland, and in the arms of
victory"
"Ahw cried Burchardt, "it has been
a sharp, short affair. this Bohemian
campaign. and must prove to the enc
mics OF Prussia
"The folly Of adhering to obsolete
treaties with effete allies" put in Stein.
hansen, contemptuously.
Better write All is lost. save
honor after our fruitless struggle,
than break faith once pledged" muir
INJURED Lies; but the loud babblc of
voices which arose, each rehearsing
the adventures and exploits of his or
her relatives and regiments. drowned
her yoiee-only Steinhausen. listening
intently, caught the words with a hard
smile at her enthusiasm, which in
some indefnable way angered him.
The subject being an irresistible
torrent Of self-laudation, the speakers
were carried away-quite forgetting
that their triumphaht success was a
bitter defeat to their Saxon hosts
that the desperate hand-to-hand en-
counters so glowingly described in.
6icted cruel wounds perhaps on those
dear to the listeners.
Frau Ghering's soft dark eyes filled
with tears; Clarchen's little hands
clenched themselves viciously; and
above the delicate lace roS=d Lies
throat a quick pulse could DE seen to
auivei impatiently. as, from war. the
conversation wandered to political ar
rangementss and the wisdom and fore
sight Of Prussia was vaunted as COM
pared with the folly, weakness or vac
illation of the other States.
At length a passing but unmistak-
able allusion to the prompt decision de-
I landed from Saxony as TO her alliance
with Austria filed the cup of insult
to the brim, and Lies. rising with an
air of decision remarkable in one so
young. although turning rather pale,
said very distinctly:
"Allow me. here in my fathers
place. TO remind the company Herr
schaftenl that TO discuss politics or
religion in mixed society is contrary
to good breeding Ito discuss either in
a party so unfortunately constituted
as this one. is contrary to good feel
ing
She sat down, and q profound silence
fell upon the guests.
The gentlemen accepted the rebuke
and looked down on their plates while
the Prussian ladies laughed nervously
and angrily. and. with some head
tossing and bridling. turned to Frau
Cheering, remarking on the lateness of
the hour, and the necessity of return
ing TO r'irna.
But the opening of the door to ad-
init a gentleman created a happy di-
version.
The newcomer was a short. neat
figure. with an alert. genial look,
chiefly owing TO peculiarly promi-
nent nose, which seemed to lift his
upper lip into constantly varying
curve. generally expressive of mingled
fun, kindliness and simplicity; a WELL
shaped head. covered with what would
have been boyish curls had not time
bleached them to a pale, siivery gray.
and very gentlemanlike, active not
to say dapper figure, completed the
personality of Herr Gerichtsamtmann,
whose entrance was welcomed by all.
His first address was to the lady
strangers; to them, Prussians or not
enemies or not, be was radiantly polite.
HE was made infinitely unhappy
by finding he had detained them. but
now he was quite at Their service. and
as they had supped. would they ae-
company him into his Arbeitzimmer
and explain their business-it the re.
mainder OF the company"-a circular
would excuse him"
MANY thanks. Herr Amtmann," said
the Baronin. rising in a stately man
ner.
MY son has decided 10 purchase a
Gut not Ear from here in your district
intending 10 settle In Saxony, and
have called upon you TO ascertain un-
der what conditions one could raise it
from Bauer to Ritter Gut-for, of
course. it would be intolerable TO per-
sons of our rank to occupy an inferior
position in saxony"
"Alig' returned the polite judge-a
long drawn "Ah."
This is a matter which bristles with
difficulties.
'If the gnadige Frau will follow me
l will lay 4 few of them before her"
He waved his hand toward the door,
The Baronin looked at her watch.
Il fear, meln Herr, I must ask you
TO write them to me.
Il am staying in Dresden. at the
1 Hotel de SAKE, but we have scarce
time to catch the last train"
"Ach ia, the gnadige Frau has ten
minutes 10 spare, i'll which can ex
plain much-the abolition Of the Frohn
dienst, the Forest rights. the-Erlauber
Sic mir" and he threw open the door
The Baronin and Baronessa. Will
deep courtly cOnrtesies to the company
who stood up to say adieu, then made
their exit.