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

| HeXe, ana WHAT lnore Coulu
"True, true" cried Steinhausen,
laughing. "I think you have acted
with amazing tact; but Karl"
GAY, Herr Rittmeister-I can
"You can do nothing more, Schafs'
kopf,' said his master, impatiently.
Il did not care for further informa'
ton; let the matter drop.
after all, it is nothing to us who
and what these Saxon churls are"
"But, Herr Rittmeister-"
"Silence! My sword, and then bring
me coffee!"
Sorely disappointed at the result Of
his severe and unwonted mental exer-
ton, Karl, after moments hesitation,
disappeared.
Some totally new spring of feeling
made the idea Of common mans
coarse inquiries concerning Lies in
suppcrtable to Steinhausen.
There was something indescribable
about this Saxon girl or woman, the
sort Of magic
| w ulCll WdIuS tuc tOuCh NhiiC "iA~
ming the sense,
Nor charms us least when it most
repels."
! However, Steinhausen was no boy
yielding to the force of a first pas
sion; he was quite capable of putting
aside the sudden potent whim which
had seized him. and throwing himself
heartily into his morning task of in
spection, the ordinary duty of regi-
mental parade, as if no such fascinat.
Ing creature existed.
But these duties over, he galloped
back to the villa, on fire with impa-
tience. to renew the conversation Of
the previous night, which had pos.
sessed such q tantalizing charm, and
In which he tiattered himself he had
after all, made not so bad an impres.
sion on his sweet antagonist
He stopped, after dismounting, to
permit the well-trained Karl to brush
the dust of his early demarch from
| his garments and permit his junior
officers to join him.
They found "Fruhstuck" laid in the
veranda.
The meal, which corresponds with
our luncheon, was plentifully set forth
cold partridge. fruit omelettes. coffee
and some long necked, tempting bot
ties; beside the table sat Frau Cher
ing knitting, and at the farthest end
of the veranda stood Clarchen, play
ing "cup and ball" with much dex-
terity.
A quiet 'good- day" from the lady of
the house, profound bows from the
Prussian officers, and the latter seated
themselves at table, while Clarchen
came forward with shy pleasure, yet
visible reluctance, the result of mingled
Joy in the unusual excitement Of such
visitors, and patriotic resentment at
having to entertain them.
After the kindly old German fashion,
she assisted Daisy to wait upon the
guests, and even forgot herself so far
! as to make sprightly rejOinders to the
young Fahnrich and Burchardt.
But there was no sign of Lies.
Indeed. Burchardt had asked Frau
Cheering politely for her "Fraulein
Tochter," and was answered that she
was quite well. but always busy"
At last. the excessive demands of the
Fahnrich upon the sugar basin ex-
hausted the supply, seeing which Frau
Cheering told Clarchen to fetch some
more.
II will go to Lies for the key-bas-
ket," she replied, and peeping into
the salon, exclaimed:
"Ah. she is there; Lies, Lies"
Whereupon Steinhausen's eyes We're
at last rejoiced and satisfied by the
object they longed for.
AS she stepped into the veranda in
answer to her sisters call, the Ritz
meister's doubts as to her being mar
ried or single became almost certainty.
She looked so deliciously matronly in
n black and white morning wrapper,
and a small, delicately white muslin
cap, with black ribbons, lace cravat
tied around her neck, and fastened
with a miniature brooch, the minia-
ture of that commonplace-looking fell
low whose portrait disfgured the Ritz
meister's room.
The guests rose alt greeted her with
deferential bows, which she accepted
with pretty, gentle stateliness that
went well with her air and costume;
but Steinhausen noticed, as she turned
to speak to her mother, that on one
side Of her cap was pinned a small
green and white rosette.
"a piece of silent Defiance" thought
Steinhausen, but he only uttered
polite good morning" and drew for
ward chair near to his own.
She acknowledged his civility with
slight courtesy, and, selecting
bunch of keys from the numbers in
her basket, gave them to her sister,
who disappeared with an air of great
importance.
"May offer the 'gnadige Frau some
coffee" asked Lieutenant Burchardt.
Frau Cheering looked Up quickly at
the speaker.
II thank you," returned Lies, II
breakfasted an hour ago. I hope you
have all you require, gentlemen"
"All that we require, certainly, and
more than we deserve" said the Ritz
meister, smiling.
"Wil you not give us the pleasure of
you: company at the table?"
. To be continued.