Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-10-25
CHAPTER IL
Continued.

II mad two nepneWS among lne
wounded-one is scarcely expected to
recover, and his unhappy mother had
had no opportunity of bidding him
farewell before the regiment marched
to KoniggratZ."
At this name Frau Cheering moved
somewhat restlessly, and glanced at
her daughter, whose color rose visibly
and becomingly.
Nevertheless" said the noble Frau.
lein, with rather sentimental up
turning of the eyes, "he fell gloriously
for his Fatherland, and in the arms of
victory"
"Ah" cried Burchardt. ut has been
a sharp, short affair. this Bohemian
campaign. and must prove to the enc
mics of Prussia"
"The folly of adhering to obsolete
treaties with effete allies" put in Stein.
hansen. contemptuously.
Better write All is lost. save
honor after our fruitless struggle,
than break faith once pledged" muir
INJURED Lies: but the loud babble Of
voices which arose, each rehearsing
the adventures and exploits Of his or
her relatives and regiments. drowned
her yoice-only Stcinhauscn. listening
intently, caught the words with hard
smile at her enthusiasm, which in
some indefinable way angered him.
The subject being an irresistible
torrent of self-laudati ton, the speakers
were carried away-quitc forgetting
that their triumphant success was Il
bitter defeat to their Saxon hosts
that the desperate hand-to-hand en-
counters so glOwingly described in
flicted cruel wounds perhaps on those
dear to the listeners.
Frau Ghering's soft dark eyes filled
with tears: Clarchen's little hands
clenched themselves viciously; and
above the delicate lace round Lies
throat quick pulse could be seen to
quiver impatiently, as, from war. the
conversation wandered to political ar
rangements, and the wisdom and fore
sight of Prussia was vaunted as COM
pared with the folly. weakness or vac
illation of the other States.
At length a passing but unmstak-
able allusion to the prompt decision de-
manded from SaXOny as to her alliance
with Austria filled the cup of insult
to the brim, and Lies, rising with an
air of decision remarkable in one so
young, although turning rather pale,
said very distinctly:
"Allow me, here in my fathers
place. to remind the company (Herr-
schaften) that to discuss politics or
to good breedinS-to discuss either in
a party so unfortunately constituted
as this one, is contrary to good feel
ing"
She sat down, and profound silence
fell upon the guests.
The gentlemen accepted the rebuke
and looked down on their plates, while
the Prussian ladies laughed nervously
and angrily, and, with some head
tossing and bridling, turned to Frau
Cheering. remarking on the lateness of
the hour, and the necessity of return
ing to pirna.
But the opening of the door to ad-
nit gentleman created happy di-
version.
The newcomer was short, neat
figure, with an. alert, genial look,
chiefly owing to peculiarly promi-
nent nose, which seemed to lift his
upper lip into constantly varying
curve, generally expressive of mingled
fun, kindliness and simplicity; a well.
shaped head, covered with what would
have been boyish curls had not time
bleached them to a pale, -silvery gray,
and very gentlemanlike, active, not
to say dapper figure, completed the
of Herr Gerichtsamtmann,
whose entrance was welcomed by all
His first address was to the lady
strangers; to them, Prussians or not
enemies or not, he was radiantly polite.
HE was made infinitely unhappy
by finding he had detained them, but
now he was quite at Their service, and
as they, had supped, would they ac-
company him into his Arbeitzimmer
and explain their business-it the re-
mainder Of the company"-a circular
bow-"woulf excuse him."
MANY thanks. Herr Amtmann," said
the Baronin, rising in stately man
ner.
MY son has, decided to purchase
Gut not far from here in your district,
TO settle in Saxony. and
have called upon you to ascertain TN
der what conditions one could raise 1T,
from a Bauer to Ritter Gut-for, of -.
course. it would be intolerable to per- 4
sons of our rank to occupy an inferior
position in Saxony" ...
"Ah" returned the polite judge--a
long drawn "Ah" .,att
"rhis is matter which brlstles with
difficulties. =, r2i',h
IF the gnadige| Frau will follow me
| will lay, few Of them before her"
He waved his hand toward the door.
The Baronin looked at her watch.
Il fear, mein Herr, must ask you
10 write them to me. :,
Il am staying in Dresden, at the
Hotel de SAKE. but we have scarce
lime to catch the last train"
.Ach ia! the gnadige Frau has ten