Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-10-11
CHAPTER II.
The house seemed empty.


When Won Steinhausen reached the
parterre. which was occupied ly the
reception rooms. not creature was
to be seen
However. nothing daunted, he open
ed q door; it was evidently" that Of
Herr Papa's study" or business room.
and contained large writing table,
heaps of papers, book shelves laden
with sombre, solid looking volumes, a
lamp with a green shade, etc. Stein
hausen, turning sharply away and
lshutting the door, was face to face
with neat little "Stubanmadchen,'
with the pretty, characteristic apron,
lthe "Latzchen," or bib part, fastened
to the bosom with ornamental pins, a
coquettish muslin and lace cap partly
concealing her naXen hair.
Zach! Bite! die Herrschaft honOr.
able company are all out in the gar.
den, or the fields" she said, with the
true Saxon singsong.
"If the .Gnadiger Herr will take 4
seat in the salon they Will soon return,
or by here"-throwing open the door
and pointing to that leading to the Yer.
anda-"he can into the garden and al
lees descend"
= Steinhausen. with quick "Danke
sehr," entered, and. as the door closed
behind him. stood a moment irrcsolute
in the middle of the cool, fragrant
room, which had something gracefully
homelike in its simplicity.
But Steinhausen's irresolute mo-.
ments were usually Of short duration.
The coast being clear, he said to
himself:
ut is permissible in an enemy's
country to reconnoitre,' and, glancinG
round, he very deliberately proceeded
to examine the books, number Of
which were piled on an oval table
pushed into a corner under bracket
which supported bust.
Among the volumes were some
French memoirs, several Enghsh nov.
els and books of travel, German poe.
try. ETC.; some English newspapers,
too. lay about.
Steinhausen, not being familiar with
the language, turned from them with
a slightly contemptuous expression Of
surprise in his upraised brows.
Near the sofa stood another table,
! with a beautiful Meissen china dish,
| full of sweet dowers. and round 1t lay
four or five photograph albums Of va.
rious sizes.
| r'Haw said Steinhausen, almost
aloud, as he caught sight OF them
Here, no doubt, lies Il clew to the
family history" and drawing chair
to the table, he began his inspection.
No. /, large book, was full of land
scapes and street views, all adorned
by prettily designed borders or frames
neatly drawn.
| No. 2 was very varied collection OF
portraits, principally Of young girls
and children, many with signatures
foreign names predominating. There
was also fair sprinkling of men. old
and young. with and without uniform.
Now have it," he thought, as he
opened No. 3, and in the first page
recognized the strong resemblance be-
tween a bright looking elderly gentle
man and the bust on tie bracket.
"This is the family book"
| He was quite absorbed.
| Soon he found out that the little
girl he had seen speaking with the OBJ.
ject of his curiosity.
And then the Fraulein, or Frau, her
| self, in deepest black, with the saddest
expression. but with that graceful
turn of the neck and shoulder-he
would know it among q thousand!
Further on was another portrait Of
her-different. yet not younger look
ing. less depth, less intellect in the
face.
! The longer he looked the more he
perceived the change which had taken
place since this picture had been TAX
en-, o. perhaps it was a. bad photo
graph.
But who is this on the opposite page
smiling at her with all his might?
The same officer whose likeness hung
| in his (Stcinhausen's room, only older
and less simple looking.
"Pooh! Quite a common style Of
| fellow"
To which opinion the Rittmeister
was guided by strong feeling of un-
accountable dislike rather than sound
| Judgment.
Another officer was also to be fire.
quently seen at all stages, from u
cadet to q lieutenant.
] ITO ba Continually