The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-07

| be coming nearer Some belated person
was toiling through the snow towards
him.
| ..Haltr' called the sentry, bringing
his gun to his shoulder The figure con-
tinucd to approach. Halt, or | will
| fire, called the sentry once more in a
threatening tone.
| Don't fire! it's only me. It's Katie. -
| He dropped the butt of his gun to the
| ground. Are you here? In the name
of the devil, himself. what brings you
| out of your village in all this cold wealth
er?"
| wanted to speak to you, Fritz, and
| had to come tonight, or not at all. -
The dark spot on the snow came near
er and nearer.
THE soldier is not allowed to talk
| when he is at his post"
But | want to talk to you. Nobody
can hear It's.
when the relief guard comes and finds
me here talking to q woman, l will be
locked up in the classmates" said the
soldier sullenly
There is no danger of anybody com
ing here in this snow storm. I'll be
gone before you are relieved "
What devilish sly girl you are,
laughed the soldier grimly, shaking
himself up to get rid of the snow thai
was falling thick and heavy. Here
you have fianked me in place where
can't advance or retreat. You have
stragetic head, you have. There is
staff officer lost by you being woman
and the soldier, tall, handsome speci
men of the German soldier, laughed
heartily.
Katie did not laugh On the contra
~. she looked sad and her large black
eyes seemed surcharged with tears
Don't look at me SO sharp with you1
big black eyes. You are a sly one, tt |
take me by surprise when [ have nc
chance to fire and fall back. So you
want to talk, do youp Talk away, tel
your hearts content. only don't expec
me TO answer YOU Ny oath as a soldier |
forbids me to answer you when | am OF
guard.
your OATH she exclaimed scorn
fully, her darl, eyes flashing fire. your |
oathr' she repeated in a ringing voice. |
Cant you remember another oath that |
you took when my people drove me |
away from home on your accountP She |
clasped her hands in despair, and /
nroaned in her misery.
For Gods sake, Katie, calm your |
self You cannot reasonably expect me |
10 I6kt care III Il " Itt anu GAIAAd HitAAS
am soldier in the barracks, on my |
pay |
II can work for three" she said, in
a fierce tone of voice. Give me back my |
honor, and | will work for us all.
keep quiet responded the soldier, |
lowering his voice, they will hear you |
at the guard house, and then l am |
lost.
LET them hear. Let the whole world |
hear that came here in the cold and |
snow to remind you, for the last time, |
of YOUR oath. L want You to keep your
word. Make me your wife before God
and man, as you promised me you
would.
She looked beautiful, in all her des-
pair and wretchednesS. Fritz looked |
away for moment, and then replied:
.sI'll do all that you wish, Katie. only |
keep quiet. If the patrol were to come,
we would both be lost. -
Doubt and Joy were mingled in the |
expression OF her face, as she almost |
shrieked:
xviii You. Fritz. will you?''
The soldier glanced around anxiously |
but there was no sign of relief.
$50 help me God, we will be married |
tomorrow"
Her eyes danced with joy, as she
nestled up to him. He threw the cape |
of his mantle over her shivering form, |
and placed his arm around her.
Il always knew you were only |
thoughtless | knew you were not bad. =
And she looked up trustingly into his |
face
lyon love me yet, don't you, Fritz. :"
s@0f course | do, what a foolish ques- |
ton to ask. "
..But YOU have not come near me nor |
the baby for almost year"
How could /, penned up here in the
garrison? BY the way, how is the ba-
by?"
..He is BIG, stout fellow Your mother
takes good care of him.
My mother always was good to me, .
said the soldier, with sigh. Many a
time she saved me from whipping. -
It's good for US my father is dead. He /
would never have allowed us to marry |
never in this world. He wanted me
to marry Elise, the rich miller's daugh-
ter, but wouldn't marry her if she was
up to her neck in money
''But you viii marry me. won't you,
FritzPn
You have captured the fort, little
one The garrison had to surrender OF
die, and / would rather surrender and
take my chances of good treatment.
Fritz, please don't joke; it hurts
me- and she pressed her hand to her
heart. You used to be joking all the
time, but i suppose you are cold. You
are not dressed warm. But, Katie, you
must 60 1t is nearly time for the re-
lief guard. Are you coldP 1t seems to
me you must be freezing.
.sI'll 90 in minute. Where will we
live when we are married?"
ssAs soon as my term of service has
expired, which viii be in few months,
we can get into Silesia and establish a
home there. Hans Stockelbauer. who
used to belong to my company, has of
fered to sell me q farm on easy terms,