Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-15
Naid, Wife or Widon?
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R~ MRS. ALEXANDER.
CHAPTER Nv.
Continued.
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Continued.
So, with sound reason in his head
and thrill of wild delight in his
heart Steinhausen "closed with the
chase"
Pardon me, gnadige Frau" he said.
"can I return to the villa by this
rOad?"
You cam she replied, with very
slight start and increase of color; fol
low it to where there is an old cross
half sunk in the ground by an oak
tree, and you will find a footpath
which will lead you back through the
river meadows"
"Thanks; you seem to be going in the
same direction--may | not accompany
you?'
Another slight blush and very cold
bow of assent; they walked on few
PAGES in silence, down a narrow ravine.
in the shelter of which was a pleasant
growth of beech and chestnut trees,
with here and there tall, graceful
larch.
The shade was most welcome, and
a cool breeze from the river famed
Steinhauscn's hot brow.
"You see. | did not ride away this
morning." began the Rittmeister at
last.
II am but too glad to avail myself
of the discretion allowed me and let
myself and my poor fellows enjoy Il
brief repOsc in your happy valley; in
deed, the difficulty will be to leave it,
Life in our happy valley is but little
suited to such as YOU" she answered,
seven find it a little monotOnous."
II should imagine a life so active as
yours would lie free from any feeling
of dullneSs."
How do you know | am active?'
she asked, turning to him with smile
as she closed her sunshade and used it
for walking stick,
"Oh. very small degree of obServa-
tion would enable one to perceive that
much, even if Your Herr papa had not
detailed all your business abilities to
lit uS Ht dS hIltilN 'IION lIl- Ii' tIN
photographs this
Ibid my father show you the pho
tos?" interrupted his company quickly,
with an uneasiness she could not quite
repress.
''He did" returned StcinhauSen with
significance. and looking full into her
eyes.
Lies, blushing deeply. turned away
as if annoyed. and the RittmeiSter.
after an instant'S pause, continued in
a lower tone:
81 must entreat pardon for what
may have seemed 10 you indiscreet
curiosity: shall be more prudent in
future, more absolutely obedicnt to
your tacitly-eXpressed wish; hereafter,
perhaps"
"Say no more-Speak of something
else" she interrupted, hastily. and Il
silence of some minutes ensued
At last, with frank, pleasant laugh,
SteinhauSen exclaimed:
"HOw difficult it is to avoid any one
forbidden subject. and when there are
two or three a fellow does not know
where to turn; l dare not speak of
war, or Prussia or SaXony. or my own
impressions. or worst deprivation of
all, yOur"-he paused as if with diff
Guilty suppressing some eplthet-"your
self"
"If the effort TO find conversation is
so trying" said Lies, with an arch
smile, land it must be, pray do not
punish yourself; go on-I shall sit here
in the shade. and. at least. you can
have the freedom of your own
thoughts"
mo, no! certainly not" cried Stein
hansen, eagerly, "unless you absolute
ly object to my company.
"Let me walk with you-to-morrow
you will be free from the presence of
the detested Prussian; but to-day-let
me enjoy today, come what will to-
There was touch of passionate en-.
treaty in his tones that, perhaps.
reached his listeners heart, for al
though she made no reply, she turned
her eyes to his with wondering yet
not unkindly expression, and breathed
a slight sigh as her glance sank under
his.
"Now," continued the Rittmeister,
''as | have confessed the poverty of
ideas, will you not come to my aid?
The world stands with YOU
With quick arch nod, she said:
"Have you ever been in England
that, surely, is safe?''
Steinhausen laughed. mo, l have
not; have you?
eyes"
when, may ask?"
about two years ago"
"Did you like it?' said the Rlttmeis-
Ter. recovering his equanimity suf-
ficently to light fresh cigar.
"In some ways, yes; in others. not
Mt all"
"What displeascd the gnadige Frau?"
She looked up quickly for an instant,
md replied:
"rhe life is somewhat tiresone; peo-
pie are always en- grand toilette, and
the eating is such solemn undertak.
ing, and so punctual-no one dares to
be two minutes late; and, although
women are freer, and seem to have
more power than here, do not think
they are really any more loved or re.
spected.