Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-08-24

sedulously watched Immediately put
on the hat, and. gathering up her long
muslin dress, fastened 1t in the silver
clasp hung around the waist for that
purpose.
Followed by the young girl, she de
scended the steps. and walking quick
ly through the yard, was soon beyond
Steinhausen's ken.
The scene had occupied fewer min
utes than have pages in describing
1t.
Steinhausen strobe quickly across his
room and opened the door; it led into
that occupied by Won Planitz and
Burehardt, which was vacant; but be
yond, sound Of brushing and kissing
mindful Of his duties.
"Karl." cried Steinhausen.
"Her Rittmelsterg7 A gaunt, tall
figure in fatigue jacket quickly pre-
sented itself.
"Send that-Martin here"
'Ja wohl, Herr Rittmeister."
In few minutes heavy thnmp on
the door was followed by the entrance
of a trooper.
Martin. how go the horses? There
are four unfit for service left behind
by the last party. am told"
ia, Herr Rittmeisterl two are still
very bad, the feet infiamed; one will
be scarce fit for much again"
After few more questions on regi.
mental matters, Steinhausen, throwing
himself back in his chair, said sternly:
Look herel 1 will have no insolent
airs played off. The people of this
place are civil and hospitable, and
there is no need to make them more
unfriendly than they are.
The man gazed. open-mouthed. too
astonished to reply.
There, thick-head." exclaimed the
Rittmeister. "have you spoken so much
Bohemian jargon that you cannot un.
derstand honest German when you
hear it,"
''Donner-wetterl do not understand
what Herr Rittmeister meansl Who
has complained of me?
'Gottl have been an angel of po-
likeness and good-nature since i came
In here, and"
s'siIencetg cried his officer
Il saw you just now stand there.
like an audacious scoundrel as you are.
and stare and grin at the gnadige
Fraulein when she was feeding the
pigeons"
''Ach, Gott," said the man, the objec-
tionable grin stealing back over bis
large, strong features.
"That was no matterl the gnadige
Frau is very friendly with me. She
didn't mindl
"YOu see. Herr Rittmeister. I was
with the rear guard; we did not get up
here till past noon; it was hot-hot as
a furnace.
"Instead of turning into this heav-
enly place, 1t was my i'll luck to have
to go on higher up 10 a poor hovel of a
Hausier; but the road behind there
brought me past a window, and l saw
through into the kitchen, where they
were baking and cooking. and chop
ping and grating, and the Gnadige
stood in the midst and ordered every
thing like real Oberst."
"Cut it short, Martin" interposed
Steinhausen.
ia wohl, Herr Rittmeister. Well.
was nearly dead with thirst. so that 1
looked in and asked for a glass of
water; with that the gnadige Frau
turned her sweet eyes on me, so grave
and still, and says she:
Poor man, he looks hot and weary;
enemy or no, give him some drink for
the. sake of our own dear ones far
away, and suffering, too
$50 she handed me a big glass, so
high" holding his hand over the table.
"Achl it was heavenly cold-dew
was all over the sides, and foaming.
and"
His powers of description exhausted,
he smacked his lips and stood silent,
so, in return for the young lady's
goodness you come back to stare rude
ly--for you had no business here, if
your quarters are elsewhere"
"But. Herr Rittmeister! she is the
lady Of the house they all obey. and
call her Gnadige and gnadige Frau.
Il think her man is either dead or
away with the army, and the Herr
papa and Frau mamma either stay
with her or give all into her keeping.
"But if Herr Rittmeister had but
seen the face of the cook, a cranky
Frauenzimmer--"
silence. Martin, no more gossip;
right about. march," The man saluted
ard walked stiffiy away.
''Karl," called Stelnhausen. after a
few minutes pause.
"Here. Herr RIttmeister.r and Karl
iattened himself against the door by
which he had entered.
as supper readyfr continued Stein
hansen, putting up bis writing things
and locking a small dispatch box.
"They are now setting 1t FORTH" re
piled Karl, with faint sigh at the
recollection.
Good l will present myself at
table; rest has restored my appetite.
Made friendship with the cook al
readyT
mot yet, Herr Rittmelster.p
@Flre away. then! want partlcu.
lars about the family"
"The Herr is Gerichtsamtmann of
the district. and" interrupted the
lmpudent Karl
Hold thy foolish tongue cried his
master; know that.
"Flnd out for me who this is. point.
Ing to the portrait above described
"Who-who the lady Of the house is
--the young lady-or-in short for once
In thy life be intelligent and carry out
the spirit of thy orderslr
So saying. stelnhausen left the
room and clattered downstairs, his
sabre clanking behind him.
"Ach Himmel!" said Kari. gazing