Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-08
Naid, Wife or WidoM?'
Observation-Disclosures, ,nrn,unnnnIal G7 I
= = McD FROM the nep2 = e
7u1nnnn1urn5nI'nn1' T T
R~ MRS. ALExANDER
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Ste1nlauSen listened lntently.
Why were her prejudices not to be
wondered at?
How was he (Steinhausen) to lead
him back to the prejudices OF the
adorable Lies? So he said, with chiv-
alrous politeness:
"If your charming Frau daughter
has these strong feelings against us
unhappy Prussians, it must be very
painful to her to receive and entertain
us, and that creates a sense of pain
in the recipients of your bounteous
hospitality"
Instead of listening to and correct
Ing any errol In the appellation of the
lady under discussion, the energetic
little judge was eagerly roofing up an
intrusive weed which had reared its
green head between the red tiles of the
veranda, and only caught the last
words.
"You make too much of our poor ef-
forts, nd, believe me, we are not so
blinded by national prejudices as to
undervalue brave soldiers who only
do their duty, and"
Here Burchardt, who had been light
ing an obdurate cigar, interrupted
Herr Amtmann by asking Steinhausen
il he was aware that their friend Won
Wolf was at Pirna, obliged to remain
behind his regiment, as he was i'll
with fever, from wound he consid.
cred teo slight to report?
"No," said the Rittmeister, II had
not heard of him.
"These overheroic young soldiers are
rather troublesome, from their want
Of precaution."
"Planitz and l thought of riding over
to see him.
CAS- you intend resting here today.
will you come with us?'
"Thank you, no." returned Steinhau-
sen, shortly. Il had enough riding
yesterday, and shall be in the saddle
all tomorrow"
"While to-day you have an Eden and
an Eve" rejoined the Lieutenant,
laughing-a jest for which his superior
officer would have liked to give him
three days arrest on bread and water.
He prudently, however, turned deaf
ear to the insinuation, and the kind
Nost Immediately proceeded to give the
two young officers elaborate directions
US to a short and shady route whereby
they could reach the town where their
friend lay.
During the explanation the Ritt.
meister stalked, with stern and dig
nitied air, into the salon, and once
more took up the family album, de.
termined to try the photograph trick
On the little judge, who would, he felt
certain, join him as soon as the others
were gone.
In few minutes he heard Won Plan
itz and Burchardt bid their host good
by, and rattle down the steps to the
garden Oh their way to the stables,
and the next minute Herr Cheering
came to his side.
"Ah, Herr Rittmeister has found
out our picture gallery" he said. with
much complaisance and proceeded
geefully to point out his wife and
couple of brothers, evidently old SOL
Giers and much decorated.
Then he paused at the likeness of
sweet, dreamy looking child, and the
kindly voice trembled as he said it was
his first born, who had been taken
from them in early childhood.
Then he frightened up again when
the next page was turned. and he was
able to expatiate on the manifold vir-
tues and requirements of his only son;
and then came the object of Steinhau-
sens curiosity, the pages on one of
which was the commonplace looking
officer and the Indifferent photograph
of Lies, and, opposite, another and a
very superior carte of the same lady.
with a likeness of Clarchen and the
little boy.
"And these?" asked the Rittmeister,
with just the right degree of polite in
terest.
"You will recognize some," returned
Herr Cheering.
"This is my eldest daughter" he con-
tinued with a sigh "but not good
photograph. 1t does not do her JUS
tice."
Another sigh.
"And this-this is my son-in-law,
poor fellow! 1t is altogether sad
story, and not one to be intruded
OH"
"My father" cried Clarchen, running
in at this critical juncture, "the Herr
Richter is hero, and says some vag-
rants have been thieving in the viii
lage.
"He wishes to make deposition be-
fore employing the Polizei."
"Now, it is too bad" exclaimed the
Judge, hastily shutting up the pho.
tograph book.
II have taken such pains with the
people Under ny jurisdiction, that
Bcrgfeld has hitherto been especially
noted for the absence of crime, for the
intelligence and good conduct of the
people-and now!
"You will excuse me, Herr Rittmeis.
ter. at dinner we shall meet-Auf
wiederschen;" and the little judge hur.
ried away with sharp, quick steps and
corresponding mods of his gray curls.
Left alone with the Rittmeister.
Hlnrchnn crnScnd hnr h q ndc hohind har