Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-22
CHAPTER W.
Continued.

held down her head and became sud-
denly silent.
The words were meant for her ear
alone, but they also reached those or
the watchful Rittmeister, who, divin-
ing their import, with an impulse or
irritation laughed scOrnfully, as he
remarked "that the young Fraulein
had not reached the age at when
prejudice hardened into consistency
At last the repast was over. cerc-
monious bows and murmured "Geseg
nete Mahizeit' exchanged.
Lies slid quietly from the room, and
at the same time the Amtmann seized
Steinhausen's arm.
Now. Herr Rittmeister, l am at your
service.
I've will make little tour of the
Gut and l will fully explain my
principles of cement
The pleasant little gentleman. rub
binc his hands. stood, his head slight
ly on one side bright. alert and brim-
full of useful hints wherewith to en-
tighten his friend the enemy.
Irritated and diSgusted as he was,
Steinhausen could not help unbendlnS
to the simple. kindly, well-bred coun-
try gentleman.
You are very friendly, Herr Amt
mann" he returned, graciously.
Il hope do not trespass too much
upon your precious time
BY no means-by no means! This
way, Herr Rittmeister. Permit me
to direct YOU
For nearly two hours did Steinhausen
perambuate the various Enclosures or
Herr Amtmann's Gut" and enter
eagerly into his hosts explanations.
The farm had indeed, every requisite
save water; and this the Amtmann
had intended to supply by machinery,
already purchased, and placed in
small building beside a deep well
which lay at the foot of the hill; but
tho breaking out of the war. and the
consequent absorption of skilled labor
ers in the army, had arrested the
work, and the good Judges outlay had
been hitherto unproductive.
"A sad loss to me, my dear SIR con-
cluded the little man, for it Will be
some time before | bring matters into
working order; and Lies, too, she feels
it much-thiS delay
At last the Judges exhaustive expo
sjtion of his system. his small econo-
mics and larger outlays, his checks
here. his discipline there, came to an
end.
The precious hour of repose was
over and Won Stenhausen was pleased
to think it must he time for afternoon
coffee-not that his inspection of Herr
Ghering's farm was devoid of interest
TO him--like most Germans of his age
and standing, he looked forward to the
time when. his soldering days over,
lie would turn for occupation and in
terest to the pursuits of country
gentleman.
Su;l. it was much more agreeable to
sit in the shady vcranda and sip the
fragrant coffee handed to him by his
fair antagonist.
party, including the dog Nero, assem-
bled in this favorite resting place.
Lieutenant Burchardt was chatting
Clarchen about the projected ride
which did not come off, in which
amusement Won Planitz assisted; the
little Backfschchen was evidently
yeXed and ill at ease, looking to her
sister Tor help, but the latter was aD-
sorDed in the task of pouring out and
distributing the coffee. and took no
notice of the mute appeal.
Steinhausen looked on in silence for
few moments, until he mastered the
situation.
$50 you did not accomplish your ex-
cursion Fraulein Clara" he said at
last. slowly stirring his cup Of coffee.
"rhe Frau sister would not permit
such tamperlnG with the foe, eh. mein
Fraulein? she would like to train the
little one in the way she should 60
nicht walr. mein Gnadige?"
Il would not teach anything save
loyalty" returned the older sister.
gravely, offering the speaker q plate
of biscuits Nero, by sudden
imporlunate movement, nearly upset.
"Ah. loyalty; it is q noble quality"
said Stcinhausen, absently.
He had started from his seat to as.
s.st in saving the biscuits, and in so
doing inadvertently caught the soft
white hand he had just been admiring
in his own. The touch was electric
70" an instant his thoughts were in q
wlir,-the next he began to hope that,
perhaps. the orders which he was to
await at Ecrgfa!Gcr would not come
until tomorrow evening, and so he
might have morc time-for what? he
sc0rcc knew himself.
lie began to tell lies Of his walk
though the farm with her father.
She said littlc-havins taken up a
C.ecc of ella borate embroidery. on
which hcr eyes were fixed.
suddenly The oil servant Hans pre-
scrtod himself:
IAN orderly wishes to speak to Herr
E.ttmeistcr."
"Oh! brig hlm in, bring him in"
cr.e1 t'Ae master Of the house, who was
in the highest good humor after the
delightful occupation Of the afternoon.