Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-01
CHAPTER III.
Continued.

Continued.
And there was a pause, the young
lady composedly tracing the leaves OF
a rose, part of which already glowed
on the silken screen she was working,
while Steinhausen racked his brain
for some fresh topic by means of
which he might relieve his curiosity
and ingratiate himself.
She was dreadfully provoking; and
the irresistible, amused smile which
crept over her lips as the silence con-
tnued seemed as if she was aware Of
his difficulties.
1.-THE gnadiges Fraulein is lover Of
the dumb creature she cares for so
kindly" he said, at length.
II could not resist watching you this
evening as you stood in the Hof yon.
der and fed your pigeons"
"You didv' she exclaimed in sur
prise.
II trust I may be forgiven, Gnadige
Frau-Fraulien or Frau?" he asked,
insinuatingly.
whichever you like" she returned,
unmoved.
"But, pardon me, should like to give
you your proper title"
ut Is Of no consequence" she said,
slowly, as she threaded her needle.
"Your accuracy or your error are
alike to me, while tomorrow you will
ride away, and the memory Of your
passing curiosity will have faded be-
fore you reach your next quarters"
Without raising her eyes she worked
steadily on.
"But I shall not ride away tO-mor
row, nor perhaps the day after" cried
Steinhausen, impetuously; land if my
memory Is to retain nothing of the in,
teresting hours l have spent under
your hospitable roof, do you imply that
yours will be more endurng?"
"Much more" said Lies. pausing as
she drew out long thread.
II shall always retain most vivid
recollection of your visit, and those of
your fellow soldiers who preceded
you"
She spoke emphatically. looking up
straight into his eyes with an effort
to be grave, while slight but mis-!
chievous smile would steal into the
dimples Of her cheek.
81 understand, Fraulein," replied
Steinhausen, charmed yet surprised
and nettled by the spirit with which
she answered.
He despised soft, sentimental women,
vet resented self-assertion, with the
consistency common to men in other
countries besides Germany.
"a painful impression is not so easily
shaken Off"
No reply.
81 mean, gnadige Frau. that the NOR
tification of receiving Prussian SOL
diers leaves it's mark.
"But may 1 not urge. that, being by
the accident of birth and circumstances
one of these unfortunates, could l,
with any sense of honor, decline to
serve my king, my government?
"And, being ordered here, am I to
blame fer forcing myself upon your
reluctant hospitalityY
He spoke in wounded tone.
at is true" said Lies, gravely.
''Perhaps am unjust.
''But, Herr Rittmeister, imagine your
sisters your wife, your mother, forced
to receive Saxon soldiers, as we are to
receive yours"
mo stretch Of my Imagination could
depict such state of things" he re.
turned. with n light laugh. which
brought the quick, eloquent blood to
LESS cheek.
"But If such an event could happen,
and l had mother, sister, or wife,
which I have not, they would, am
sure, be less unkind, less cruel than
you are"
"Cruel! Pooh! That is a large word
for little fruitless, wOrdy animosity."
There Is animosity, then? You al
low it?"
"How could 1t be Otherwise?" cried
Lies, throwing down her work, "when
your unnecessary ambition has caused
the sorrow and impoverishment of a
whole people, the suffering of those
dearer to us than our own lives. the
loss often Of all that makes life worth
fiving-"
She stopped for moment and COW
cred her face with her hands.
"You make me wish myself a Sax
on" said Steinhausen, in low tones,
which showed he was deeply moved.
"Ah! if you were" cried Lies, re.
moving her hands and looking at him
with sudden, strange impulse.
"And IL I We're? What then" he
asked, drawing nearer.
"Saxony would have one more brave,
capable soldier, no doubt, Herr Ritz
meister," she replied quietly.
Steinhausen rose and walked toward
the veranda.
Through the open door he saw the
smart little "Dienstmadchen." Daisy,
setting out table for the benefit of
his brother officers.
Clarchen had vanished.
On looking back he was alarmed to
see his fair antagonist folding up her
work as IL to retire.
"We have infringed the rule you so
forcibly laid down ut supper, mein
Fraulein," he said.
politics and religion should never