Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-11-22
-Maid, Wife Or Widow?
-n,,,,,,,nnnn1I,;5 SS ln1,..,nnn,
N5p Prom the F?s12 : s.
1 1
B~ MR9. ALEXANDER.


quietly, but emphatically. Won stein.
hausen turned his eyes on her. ana
their expression of mingled resentmens
and reproach showed her that he
thought she shrank from permitting
their salon to be polluted by the pres
ence of a Prussian trooper soldier.
This was not what she meant, ana
feeling it was not possible to explain
an inexplicable sensation of annoyance
brought the color to her cheek in
ouick fitting blush, which did not es-
cape Steinhausen's observation. even
while he seemed only to see the dusty,
travel stained trooper who now ascend
ed the steps, and, saluting, handed
dispatch to Rittmeistcr.
Steinhausen took it. broke the SEAL
and opening it, glanced at its contents
q look of fierce discomfort darkenlng
his brow as he read; then, crushing it
somewhat in his hand, said to his
brother officers:
1--WE march early tomorrow. gentle
mon. We must be in Dresden by
noon."
Then to the soldier:
"You can go. l have no further
orders"
"Hans. take him to the kitchen: give
him food and drink said the kindly
Frau Cheering.
"March tomorrow" cried Burchardt.
"That IS a misfortune! One would
like to rest month long in such
heavenly house as yours gnadlse
Frau"
"And no chance for a ride now, hebHr
Fraulein," said the Fahnrich to Car
chen.
docs any other party succeed to
yoursT asked Lies.
Zach. | am sorry" exclaimed the
hospitable Gcrichtsamtmann.
1--WE shall not soon find gentlemen
so courteous and accommodating rs
Yourselves" to which civiity Burch-
ardt made a suitable reply, and some
talk ensued, unheeded by Steinhnuscn,
who was sunk in profoundeSt silence.
This order shattered his haif-formed
plans; it forced him to turn his back
on the first mOrscl of real, vivid inter
est and delight that he had tasted
for years. to forego the eiucidatlon OF
the mystery which tantalized and at
tracted him.
1t seemed lifetime since the same
fierce eagerness had thrilled his nerves.
and it came back to him like renewed
youth.
A question from the judge broke the
spell and compelled his attention.
"Pardon me. l did not hear
81 merely asked if the view fr"T'l the
balcony above answers your eXpecta-
tons. Herr Rittmeister"
what view?' asked SteinhauSen,
quickly. 81 have not yet had chance
of seeing it,
"Why. Lies" cried her father, i'm
patiently, why did you neglect my
request!
"Now, perhaps, the Rittmcister may
leave without seeing the best view
from the villa or from anywhere else
In the neighborhood.
"Please conduct him at once to the
upper balcony. | would gladly accom-
Dany YOU; but letters | have ncgiec'e"
this afternoon must be written, anu
pray do not miss this fine sunset
Lies rose silently, hesitatcd an ir-
slant. and then, bowling to Steinhau-
sen. led the way through the salon TO
a staircase ascending to the first floor.
Here the PYussan officer exclaimed:
81 believe it would only be polite in
me to relieve you from the perform
anre of task so evidently unwei-
come; butt should like to see the
view of which your father spoke
ut is no unwelcome task to show you
the beauties of land so little esteemed
by your countrymen.'
Little esteemed! Why do you say
sol"
THAT is Of no consequence. Pray
follow me, and confess that SaIony at
least has beauty of which you cannot
utptlNc
She smiled as she spoke with some
thing Of Jest and earnest, preceding
him ups!airs and through another
salen which Steinhausen had not yet
sect.
The long French windows of this
apartment opened on Il balcony which
ran along the north side of the house,
and, passing through one of them.
Lies leant against the bdlustrade, and
with silent but expressive gesture
stretched out her hand toward the
wide landscape, and then let it slowly
fall to her sile.
Pre- occupied as Stcinhausen was by
his eagerness to improve this prob
ably last tete-a-tete with the object OF
his admiration he was for a few sec
onds riveted by the unusual beauty OF
the view before him.
Below rolled the broad silver silent
highway" of the Elbe.
A wide-spreading plain to the left
was sprinklcd with villages, each clus.
teriilg round church or tower; and far
away the domes and steeples of the
capital were dimly Giscernible.
AT the other side of the river the
banks stretched more o less steepiy
up 20 the forest heights, which again
led up to the Bohemiar mountains; and
to the right, like isolated giants. stood
the rocky masses Of the SillensteiR.