Daily Republican., 1883-04-17
ON GUARD.

h lurlNlnB clouds, through winch, IRON
= time to time, the moon shone with dull
light. The pedestrians covered up thei
faces and ears with the collars of thei
overcoats, and hurried up the frozel
streets. Nobody stood still moment
The sentry at the powder magazin,
. did not seem 10 mind the snow very
| much He walked his post briskly
. with his mlskct at "carry arms - but
as the cold increased, he took a shelter
/. ed position against the wall ofthemaga
? zine, holding his muSket with his man
tel, to prevent his stitiening finger,
from adhering to the metal, and gazeG
out over the vast eXpanse of snow. Dc
casionaIly he stamped his feet. A cou
, pie Of icicles hung down from the ends
Of his heavy moustache. 1t was indeed
"A terrible snow storm. All at once his
attention WAS directed to a dark point.
1t certainly moved, and it appeared to
be coming nearer Some belated per-
son was toiling through the snow
towards him.
Halt - called the sentry, bringing
his gun to his shoulder. The figure
continued to approach. ''Halt, or
will fire, called the sentry once more
in threatening tone.
Don't fire ! its only me. It's Ka-
tie"
He dropped the butt of his gun to the
ground. Are You here ? In the
name of the devil, himself, what brings
you ont Of your village in all this colo
weather 2"
| 81 wanted to speak to you, Fritz, and
| had to come tonight, or not at all.
| The dark spot on the snow came
nearer and nearer.
1.-THE soldier is not allowed to talk
when at his post.
"But | want to talk to you. Nobody
can hear us.
"Whef the relief guard comes and
finds me here talking to a woman,
will be locked up in the easements"
said the soldier, sullenly.
There is no danger of anybody COM
ing here IN this snow storm. III be
gone before you are relieved"
"What a devilish sly girl you are,
laughed the soldier grimly, shaking
himself up to get rid Of the snow that
was falling thick and heavy. "Here
you have thanked me i'll a place where |
can't advance or retreat. You havea
stratgrtic head, you have. There is
staff officer lost by you being a woman
and the soldier, Il tall, handsome speci
men Of the German soldier, laughed
heartily.
Katie did not laugh. On the contrary
she looked sad, and her large, black |
eyes seemed surcharged with tears
Don't loOk ut me 50 sharp with your
L. Il
take me by surprise when | have no
chance to fire and fall back. So you
want to talk do you? Talk away to
your hearts content, only don't expect
me to answer you. My oath as IA sol
dicr forbidS me to answer you when |
am Oh guard
"Your oath !" she exclaimed scorn-
fully, her dark eyes flashing fire.
:. Your oath !" she repeated in ring
ing voice. "Can't you remember another
oath that you took when people drove
me away from home on your account ?'
She cla>ped her hands in despair, and
sroaned in her misery.
For Gods sake, Katie, calm your
self. You cannot reasonably expect me
TO take care Of IA wife and child while
am soldier in the barracks, on my
pay"
II can work for three, she said, in
l fierce tone of voice. Give me back my
honor, and | will work for us all. "
keep quiet, responded the soldier,
owering his voice, they will hear you
II the guard house, and then | am .
ost."
"Let them hear. Let the whole
world hear that came here in the cold
md snow to remind You, for the last {
line, Of your oath. | want you to keep |;
,Our word. Make Inc your wife before
iod and man, as you promised me you
would ,
She looked beautiful, in all lcr de-
,pair aud wretchedness. Fritz looked
way for moment and then replied;
"I.l do all that you wish, Katie on {
y keep quiet. If the patrol We're 10
ONE, we would both be lost"
Doubt and joy We're mingled in the {
XpresSion of her face, as she almost
hrirked: i
evil you, Fritz, will you""
The soldier glanced around anNiously d
nut there was no sign of relief. :.
$50 help me God, we will lie mar
led tomorrow. {
"Hcr eyes danced with JOY, as She
estled up to him. He threw the cape t
f his mantel over her shivcring form, c
nd placed his arm around her. "
81 always knew you We're only t
! knew you We're not
ad." And she looked up trustingly 9
ITO his face. r.
You love me yet, don't you, Fritz" y
"Of course do, what a foolish lucS-
on to ask"
"But you have not come near me nor
he baby for almost II year"
GLOW could |, penned up here in
he garrison? BY the way, how is the +
lby?" ]
"IIe is a big stout fellow. Your =
other takes good care of him." 7
My mother was always good to !
e. said the soldier with sigh. "
Manga time has she saved me from sc
whipping. It's good for lis my father IS
dead. He would never have allowed "
, to narry-ncver in this world. He ne
antcd me to marry Elise, the rich IL
Hers daughter, but ! wouldn't n
AIRY her if she was up TO her neck in br
Oney.'
i''' So'' W ~ man. nv, WIN y w,
ritz"
" You have captured the fort, little
lie. The garrison had to surrender or =
G, and | would rather surrender and Y
Ike my chances of good treatment" \
" Fritz, please don't joke; it hurts W.T.
c;' and she pressed her hand to her I ua
art. -
6 You used 10 De joking all the time, Il
It suppose you are cold. You are s.
It dressed warm. But, Katie, you M
llst 90. 1t is nearly time Tor the re- ~
f guard. Are You cold' 1t seems to -
. you must be freezing, ~
'Ill 60 III IL minute. Where will "
; i've when we are nIarricd?'
y AS soon rs my term of service has
inspired, which will be in ii few 70,
'nths, we can get into Silrsia and ing
abliSh home there. Hans Stocked a II
ler, who used to belong to my com W