Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-12-27
NONT FREDERICK COUNTY,

Steinhausen. quivering with the new
light breaking upon him, II wish to
drive the same lady as l brought
down."
"GOod,' returned the BurgOmeister.!
"There she stands. If you wish to-
be first-go."
He pointed to Lies. who stood near,
the door, with downcast eyes. and
coloring to the roots Of her hair.
Steinhausen strobe across the room,
and, taking from her the wraps with
which she was encumbered, silently
offered her his arm, silently led her to
The sleigh, silently wrapped her up with
the same assidious care. and. taking
his place beside her, drove off rapidly.
Still in silence till the restauration,
and its guests We're left at some dis
lance, then, handing the reins to his.
groom, who was perched behind, he
exclaimed. in an earnest and somewhat
indignant voice:
"What is this cruel trick you have
played upon me?
Give me your promised explanation,
now"
"1ndeed, indeed. Herr Major, have
played no trick upon you," cried Lies,
who was still very pale.
1--WE have both been self.deceived.
did not understand that you thought
was my cousins wife till couple of
hours ago. when we were waiting for,
the rest Of our party end your 'allusion
last night to the barrier which you
knew existed between us. made me
think you were yourself married.
at was awkward Immediately to
explain. I thought it would be better
-less-less terrible to write. Pray for
give"
"Meine Geliebte.' interrupted Stein.
hausen, trying to find her hand among
the furs in which she was wrapped.
"the knowledge that you are free is
too delicious to leave room for any
thing but delight.
II breathe, hope again: tell me
/ tell me how all this tissue Of mistakes
arose"
He had found the hand, which, after
moments hesitation. was gently
| withdrawn.
"When the Frau BurgOmeister pre-
kented you to lis last night, you must
have taken Gretchen for Fraulein and
myself for Frau Cheering. and nothing
! occurred to correct the error.
MY own conduct must have con-
firh ell you in your mistake
IL see it ALL" cried Steinhausen; "but
go on, explain everything. the old mys-
terry which so puzzled me at Berg
fielder"
"Ah! that is long story" replied
his companion, the color coming back
to her cheeks. and sweet, conscious
smile TO her lips, as she proceeded to
relate the history, interrupted by per-
tinent questions from Stenhausen.
which drew out minuter details.
Lies, it appeared, had sister few
years older than herself, to whom she
had been fondly attached, and whom
she closely resembled.
This sister was early married to her
cousin, the Hauptmann Ghering-a
very happy but shOrt-lived union.
At the end of two years the young
wife was carried off by fever, leaving
m infant daughter first to afflict and
then to comfort the bereayed father.
About a year and half after the
death of her sister, Lies was greatly
surprised by q proposal from her
cousin that she should be that sisters
successor, and mother to the little
niece she cherished so fondly.
In Germany such proposition had In
1t nothing revolving, and although Lies
at first, from a personal disinclination.
rejected her brOther-in-law's offer, she
was over-persuaded, especially by her,
mother, to accept it, stipulating only
that the engagement almost as serious
an affair in Germany as a marriage)
should not be formally announced until
the second year of her brother-in-law's
*idowhood had elapsed.
Before that period, 4 strong convic-.
ton had grown upon her that she
could not and ought not to complete
the sacrifice urged upon her by her
family.
At length, by a tremendous effort Of
moral courage. she brought herself to
explain her difficulties to the Haupt-
mann himself
A most painful struggle ensued, for
the unhappy wfdower was more in
love with her than she believed, and
angry beyond description at his dis
appointment.
The war of '66 broke out at this
juncture of the family history, and
Lies had first to endure the great trial
of parting on unfriendly terms from
her cousin, for whom she had sin
cere sisterly regard, and then the fur
ther grief. when he ,ay severely
wounded after Koniggratz, of his re-
fusal to permit her to so and nurse
him, or to come to Villa Bellevue, that
the whole family might care for and
tend him.
In this depressed mood, saddened
and sobered by the disappointment she
had caused every one, she was reused
to a little of her old playfulness by
Clarchen's report Of the curiosity re-
specting herself expressed by the
Prussian Rittmeister when looking at
her photograph, and which the little
Backflschchen accidentally over
heard.
Lies determined that the intruder
should not be gratlfied, and gave the
servants strict injunctions to that ef
feet.
Accident, and her father and mothers
warm sympathy with the rejected
Hauptmann, assisted her game, which
the unexpected fire and earnestness of