Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-09-21
S~ mrs. At
CHAPTER ".

1thNAhdt4s
II regret that it is my business
hour she replied, "and my work is
not yet half accomplished"
Clarehen here returned with the re-
plenished sugar basin, and. setting 1t
on the table, restored the keys to their
proper place.
MAY 1 ask for pieeeY asked stein.
hansen.
With a natural impulse Lies dipped
her pretty fingers into the basin (of
course there were no sugar tongs). and
dropped a "Stuckchen" into the Ritt-
meister's cup. their eyes meeting.
She smiled archly, and said. in low
Gone:
TO sweeten a little of last nights
aeidltyY
This delicious touch Of coquetry sur
prised and delighted Steinhausen,
opening up to him possibilitles-say
Of amusement-which sent a moment-
airy thrill along his veins.
Better such bitter sweet than un-
alleged 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 indefinable impression grew
upon him that this charming Saxon
girl--maid, wife, or widow, whatever
She might be-was not indisposed to
play with the impression that she was
too obseryant not to perceive she had
made upon her admlrer.
Steinhausen, without any positive
intentions. resolved that the game
should not be all play-of course he
was too old a bird TO be easily caught
and marriage-weIl. il he ever thought
of marriage, it would be in the sense Of
an alliance.
Love, passion, faney-he had learnt
to consider these emotions as a pass
ing madness which must not interfere
with mans career; but Lies (he
would think of her only as Lies. that
implied no marriage or entanglement),
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
quofes
"sure something holy lodges in that
breast"
Not since his early fiery boyish days
had merged into skeptioal manhood
had he received quite the same i'm
preston Yet he tried to laugh at him.
self for bis 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
Amtmanns with a 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
mics 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 aud amplest return
friend or foe could make was to praise
his house and grounds, in which he
took great pride--a pride. displayed
with tue most unaffected and ehildlike
eandor
1t was in ignorance of this folble.
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 Amtmann, you have
a clever vogt bailiffl. The duties of
your office must leave you but little
time for personal supervision
'Jal Gewissr' cried Herr GheSlnG,
rubbing his hands, with a chuckle Of
intense satisfaction. 81 have indeed
Il clever vogt. My eldest daughter
manages everything everything. 1t is
wonderful, remarkable--so young and
yet such al organizers'
~Inleod. most remarkable" eiacu-
lated Steiahausen, anxious to lead him
on.
Yes. the cows, the planting, the
teaping even" with impressive en-
phasis; "the eheese-she manages all.
1T is much-a little too much for
one SO young, and-but Herr Rltt-
rleister will laugh at fathers en-
thusiasm..
@Far from ii, said stclnhausea, al
most piously
Il should be glad TO know something
Of your system. for have Rlttergut
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. I am sure Lisabet would. that
.is-'' correcting himself. 'she has her
preiudiees. poor thing. which are not
10 be wondered at; but l, gnadiger
Herr [ will show you over my small
domains. and then you can jrdge-you
gaa judge
Steinhausen listened intently.
Why were her prejudices not 70 be
wondered atg
Glow was he (Steinhausen to lead
him back to the preludices Of the
adorable Liesl So he said, with chly-
uIrous politeness
III your charming Frau daughter
has these stroug feelings against US
unhappy Prussians, it must be very
painful 10 her to receive and entertain
us. and that creates a sense of pain
in the recipients Of your bounteous
hospitality
Instead Of listening 10 and correct