Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-12-20
Maid, Wife or Midon?
= Mop FROM the Fnep2 =
nn1ann1nnnnrl7nnns + T
B~ MRS. ALEXANDER.

like the wind, leaving the rest. who
shouted reproaches after them for
breaking the line of march, far behind;
the black horse. relieved of the indig-
nifty of having to follow another. set
tied down into a steady rapid trot.
That's all right" said Lies char
iotccr. "NOw we can talk in COM
fort"
But he exercised the privilege with
exceeding caution. determined not to
startlc his companion into being on
her guard.
He inquired with deep interest for
her brother. and listened with pro-
found attention to her history of him;
then he led her on to speak Of her
new home at Leipsic, enjoying the
ready freedom Of her conversation
now that they kept on Indifferent
topics.
She was evidently familiar with the
country and gave him many particu.
lars of its history and traditions.
At length; as Steinhausen was be-
ginning to think they had had enough
of Indifferent subjects, and that his
fair companion was rather too much
at her ease, the road, which had hith.
erto been constantly ascending, ap.
preached the first rocky, pine.
sprinkled hills that guarded the en-
trance to the valley and village which
was the object of the excursion, and
began to descend the side Of a pictur
esque gorge, Mt the bottom of which
in summer time gurgled and chafed a
little stream. now still and silent In the
iron grasp of winter.
The hills rose high at either side.
studded with huge gray rocks which
stood out Oh all kinds Of fantastic
shapes, loaded with snow OH one side
and bare OH the other, as the wind
had drifted; the great solemn pine
trees looked dark and weird over the
exquisite dazzling white which shroud'
ed the earth; the deathlike. utter 81
lence was almost oppressive.
They might have been the first hu
man visitors that had ever broken
in upon the profound solitude, so far
as appearance went
A sense of their complete isolation
seemed to force itself upon Lies Gehr'
ing.
She turned once or twice to look
back and said:
How far we have left the rest be-
hind!"
Yes; they will not be up for this
half-hour," returned Steinhausen. cool
". But that is no matter. What
curious rocks" pointing to gray mass
high above their heads and in front of
them.
1T is called the 'Basket-woman,' "
she replied. "and here Oh the left Is
the Stein Book
"See! you can trace the head and
horns quite well. The shapes OF the
rocks here are very curious"
Every curious, indeed" said Stein
hausen, looking about him. "They are
strangely worn and cut"
Learned people say that q great
lake or sea once filled up this valley
and the country round. and these rocks
are worn and shaped my the action OF
tides and currents.
81 believe Bohemia was once an IN
land sea, and we are close to the from
tier"
"Close to the borders?" replied Stein
hausen, laughing and cracking his
whip.
ut is a temptation to cross It and
bid our party a long farewell"
And glancing at his companion, he
laughed again ut the expression. half
annoyance, half fear, that crossed her
face.
You believe me capable Of any wick
edness, suppose he continued.
"Do YOU not also believe that. what
ever temptation may assail me. my
first thought is and ever will be for
you?
"You may trust in my deep regard
for you"
Lies was silent and when she spoke
again it was to direct him which OF
two rather faint tracks to take.
They had trayersed the windings OF
the gorge. which now opened out in
an oblong valley or basin, at one side
of which was small "Dorf.' the
houses looking like white hillocks
above the universal snowy mantle that
lay thick and soft upon the earth.
Over the village lowered a sudden
mighty mass Of rock rising. six or seven
hundred feet, quite clear from nll the
other hills and crowned by the grace
full ruins Of "Kloster."
The sides were plentifully dotted
with pines and gnarled fir trees; but
here and there great sheer surfaces OF
rock showed bare and uncOuth with
sort of savage strength.
Underneath the road wound past the
first outlying better houses, through
the narrow street, and finally, by Lies
directions, they stopped at a larger
and more pretentious "Restauration'
than could have been expected In sc
small place.
1t was built on the side of the hill or
rock. and was reached by a fight OF
steps.
| The view over the valley was very
charming, and the principal room was
quite surrounded by windows that
commanded 1t.
A respectable-looking woman was
standing at the door to receive them