Maryland independent., 1906-09-21
s~ mrs. Al
CHAPTER ".
Continued.

COHlluueua
II regret that it is my business
hour" she replied, "and my work is
not yet half accomplished"
Clarehen here returned with the re-
rlenished sugar basin, and, setting 1t
on the table. restored the keys to their
proper place.
MAY 1 ask for a pieceY' asked Stein
hausen.
With a natural impulse Lies dipped
her pretty fingers into the basin (Of
course there were no sugar tongs). and
dropped a "Stuckehen" into the Ritt-
melster's cup, their eyes meeting.
She smiled archly, and said, in low
Some:
TO sweeten a little Of last nights
acidlty"
This delicious touch of coquetry sur
prised and delighted Steinhausen,
opening up to him possibilitles-say
of amusement-which sent moments
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-
ton; an indefnable impression grew
upon him that this charming Saxon
girl-maid, wife, or widow. whatever
she might he-was not indisposed to
play with the impression that she was
too obseryant not to perceive she had
made upon her admirer.
Stelnbausen. 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 a pass
ing madness which must not interfere
with mans career; but Lies Che
would think of her only as Lies, that
implied no marriage or entanglemenu.
there was some wonderful attraction
about her, a peculiar, frank sweetness
that, had he been familiar with Eng
lish poets, would have tempted him to
quotes
"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 vlands 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 enc
mies forced upon his hospitality he
could hardly withhold the tide of
friendliness so ready to now toward
whoever had eaten of his bread and
salt"
While the best and amplest return
friend or foe could make was to praise
his house and grounds, in which he
took great pride--a pride. displayed
with the most unaffected and ehildlike
candor.
1t was in ignorance of this foible,
and in all sincerity. that the Rittmeis-
ter, after the first greetings, began to
praise the beauty of the view and the
admirable order Of the garden.
Il suppose, Herr AmtmanB, you have
a clever vogt bailifp. The duties of
your office must leave you but little
time for personal supervision"
ia! Gewisss cried Herr GhtSing,
rubbing his hands, with a chuckle of
Intense satisfaction. Il have indeed
a clever yogt My eldest daughter
manages everything-eyerything. 1t is
wonderful, remarkable-so young and
yet such an organizerp'
"Inlead, most remarkable" ejaeu-
lated Steiahausen, anxious to lead him
on.
Yes, the COWS, the planting, the
reaplng even" with impressive en-
phasls; the cheese-she manages all.
1T is much--a little too much for
one SO young, and-but Herr Ritt-
neister will laugh at a fathers en-
thusiasm.
"Far from it, said stclahausea, al
most piously
Il should be glad to know something
Of your system. for have a Rittergut
in Silesian, where they mismanage
matters terribly"
Hal that is bad-very bad, indeed
cried the host. full Of interest; 'if after
dinner Herr Rittneister would like to
walk through our fields, and look at the
barns, l am sure Lisabet would, that
is correcting himself. "she has her
poor thing. which are not
70 be wondered at; but l, gnadlger
Herr, will show you over my small
domains, and then you can judge-you
gan judge"
Stcinhausen listened intently
Why were her prejudices not 10 be