Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-08-17
la PLATA MARYLAND. FRIDAY AUGUST H. 1906.

rIals on a convenient table. and oppo
site the bed a water color sketch of a
young man in uniform-an open. kind.
ly face.
While he looked his soldier servant
entered with a tray on which was
spread tempting luncheon and foam
ing beaker
SCOT sic dank." said Rittmeister, as,
throwing himself into the easy chair.
he seized the glass. while he held
out one foot that his servant might re-
move his boot.
"Good quarters. KarIF he continued,
setting down the half drained glass.
mot bad, Herr Rittmeister; plenty
Of everything, but folks little sulky.
However, l have scarce been here an
hour"
Hence, Karl. Do not let any one
come near me, but at five arouse me,
If / have not already reused YOU"
Good, Herr Rittmeister." and soon
the weary soldier was wrapped in
profound slumber, while the junior
offcers--von Planitz and First Lieu
tenant Standardization an elaborate
toilet, proceeded to pay the visit of re-
spect which Prussian officers rarely
omitted. albeit eonquerors received on
compulslon.
When Won Steinhausen awoke the
sun had accomplished the circuit Of
the villa, and was glinting its yellow
evening rays through the quivering
spaces of the leaves. and touching the
water In the basin with gold.
A few minutes Of delicious con-
scious repose. Of dreamy uncertainty
as to where he was and how he came
there, and Karl entered with automat-
ie punctuality to rouse his master, and
lay out his dressing things.
So the Rittmeister, recalled to the
realities of existence, rose to dress
himself and write some letters before
joining the supper table.
The realities of existence had not
been all rose color to Steinhausen; but
that was his own fault
Well born. and well endowed by ma
ture, few men had had better start;
but a dash Of fierce eagerness in his
pursuit Of whatever pleasure or whim
attracted him had led him into trouble
in various ways, and made him some
enemies, and want of wholesome
checks in early youth had permitted a
crust of pride and selfishness to form
over the better and warmer nature
which lay beneath.
Some years before the breaking out
Of the war, Won Steinhausen had
found himself on the brink of ruin;
gambling and other debts pressed mad
deningly upon him.
A proposed marriage with beauti-
full and wealthy widow was broken
of; when suddenly distant relative.
who resided too far from Berlin to be
well informed as TO his kinsman's do
ings, died, leaving the whole Of his
large property to the drowning lieu
tenant.
From that day Won Steinhausen was
a different mau-harder. steadier in a
sense, and certainly a better member
Of society.
The fair widow made some graceful
advances. which Won Steinhausen had
politely. but positively ignored, and now
he had WON for aaifaself high reosttla-
ton. not merely fof courage. Sat tef
soldierly ability.
His toilet finished. his rich Red Hus-
sar uniform. thickly laced with gold.
accurately adjusted, he sat down to
write his letters before leaving the
room
A tall figure, every inch a soldiers.
with deep dark eyes cleaning under
black brows. and crisp. dark-brown
hair clustering round somewhat rug
ged temples; face sunburnt to almost
Eastern swathiness, and lined here and
there as a man of his age ought not
to be; his mouth was hidden by a
heavy dark mustache. through which
white teeth cleaned when he laughed.
as he often did, not without touch Of
seorn. and without any accompanying
softness in the eyes.
It was the hour of universal repose
in Germany. The confused murmur
of sound he had heard when be first
awoke had gradually died away. and
profound stiffness made itself felt.
After his third letter Steinhausen
laid down his pen. and leaned back in
his'chair to enjoy the delicious silence.
Presently a sound stole upon the
stiffness like a gentle ripple over the
face of sleeping babe.
Max Won Steinhausen listened. and
then tapped his boot in time to the
well-known German afr:
''When come, when come,
When ] come back again.
very softly and sweetly sung-so softly
that but for the extreme quiet of the
afternoon hour it would not havO
reached Steinhausen's ear.
To be continued.