Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-08
CHAPTER ~.
Continued.


II regret that it is my business
hour" she replied, "and my work Is
not yet half accomplished"
Clarchen here returned with the re-
rlenished sugar basin, and, setting it
ON the table, restored the keys to their
proper place.
"May ask for a piece?" asked Stein
hansen.
With natural impulse Lies dipped
her pretty fingers into the basin (of
course there were no sugar tongs), and
dropped "Stuckchen" into the Ritz
lneister's cup, their eyes meeting.
She smiled archly, and said, in low
sone:
"To sweeten little of last nights
acidity!
This delicious touch of coquetry sur
prised and delighted Stenhausen.
opening up to him possibilities-say
of amusement-which sent moment
ary thrill along his veins.
Better such bitter sweet than un-
alloyed syrup from other hands," re-
turned Steinhausen, gallantly; but
Lies had turned away already and re-
entered the salon, and breakfast pro-
gressed to happy termination, un-
broken by other visitors,
Steinhausen rose with some satisfac-
tion; an indetinable impression grew
upon him that this charming Saxon
girl-maid wife, or widow, whatever
she might be-was not indisposed to
play with the impression that she was
too observant not to perceive she had
made upon her admirer.
Steinhausen, without any positive
Intentions, resolved that the game
should not be all play-of course he
was too old bird to be easily caught
and marriage-well, if he ever thought
of marriage, it would be in the sense OF
an alliance.
Love, passion, fancy-he had learnt
to consider these emotions as pass.
ing madness which must not interfere
with q mans career; but Lies (he
would think of her only as Lies, that
implied no marriage or entaDglement,
there was some wonderful attraction
about her, peculiar, frank sweetness
that, had he been familiar with Eng
lish poets, would have tempted him to
quote:
"Sure something holy lodges in that
breast"
Not since his early fiery boyish days
had merged into skeptical manhood
had he received quite the same i'm
preston. Yet he tried to laugh at him.
self for his unusual fit of sentimental
ity, and as he stood thus resisting his
own thoughts and lighting his cigar,
up the veranda steps alert, fresh and
neat, from his gray curly head to his
well-blacked stout boots, came Herr
Amtmann, with cheerful greeting,
and even fainter effort than the night
before at distance and dignity.
To have people under his roof, to
feed them with the milk and honey of
the best viands and his choicest wines,
was enough to endear them to the
kindly, generous, simple heart Of Herr
Cheering.
Nothing was too good for those that
wanted anything, and even from ene-
mics forced upon his hospitality he
could hardly withhold the tide of
friendliness so ready to flow toward
whoever had eaten Of his dread and
salt"
While the best and amplest return
his house and grounds, in which he
took great pride-a pride displayed
With the most unaffected and childlike
candor.
1t was in ignorance Of this foble.
and in all sincerity, that the Rittmeis-
ter, after the first greetings, began to
praise the beauty of the view aud the
admirable order of the garden.
Il suppose, Herr Amtmann, you have
n clever Vogt (bailiff). The duties of
your office must leave you but little
time for personal supervision"
ia! GewiSs!' cried Herr Chit ring,
rubbing his hands, with chuckle of
intense satisfaction. II have indeed
a clever Vogt. My eldest daughter
manages cverything-everything. 1t is
wonderful, remarkable-so young and
yet such an organizer"
''Inlecd, most remarkable" ejacu-
lated Steinhausen, anxious to lead him
ON.
Eyes, the cows, the planting, the
reaping even," with impressive EN-.
phasis; "the cheese-she manages all.
at is much--a little too much for
one SO young, and--but Herr Ritt-
rleister will laugh at fathers en-
thusiasm."
"Tar from it," said stci1hausen, al.
most piously.
II should be glad to know something
of your system. for l have Rittergut
in Silesian, where they rnisnanage
matters terribly"
''Ha! that is bad-.very bad, indeed"
cried the host, full of interest; eff after
dinner Herr Rittreister would like to
walk through our fields, and look at the
barns, ON sure Lisabet would, that
is corr rrecting himself, "she has her
prejudices. poor thing, which are not
to be wondered at; but l, gnadiger
Herr, will show you over my small
domains, and then you can jrdge-you
can judge"