The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-16

= l.
that had often been wonder to me. 1t no
longer perpleXed me after the few words
now overheard.
''You will come in when all is done TO-
night!' said Herr Steinberg.
II will come-yes. But last night came
and Fraulein Minna would have no word to
say to me-
to her." said the old man grimly. "She
will know better in the future"
After that, many things were clear to
me. l understood why Herr Hartmann
smiled so serenely on his troublesome old
visitor and reserved his opinion when it
was likely to clash with Herr Steinbergs.
returned presently to the other room,
and after few minutes Herr Steinberg
stalked in to talk to the German soldiers
and improve their minds. He had many
acquaintances by this time in the wards
and the men were willing enough to be re-
proved and set right in argument when
there was q reasonable hope OF cigars re-
warding meekness. He stalked about be-
tween the beds and mattresses until he
came to the corner close by the window
where the young French officer lay. There
was still little light in the evening sky
| and what light there was fell on the up
turned face, and the old man started back
| as though he had been shot.
"One part of your prediction is verified,
| Herr SteinbeTg," said the young officer,
dryly. | am disabled as you see"
f'Is your hurt serious?n said Herr Stein
| berg, laconically; but his eyes betrayed,
thought, more feeling than this one.
The reply was a little defiant and so was
| the glance that accompanied it.
81 hope not. hope to do good service in
| the battle for my country yet"
ut will needs be in another war than
s,.a ,,c LII; ~ s' iasTed - 49,
her master. Her pride will be humbled
again for a little while; she will be craving
peace with us-peace at any cost-peace on
our conditions. She will have learned the
great lesson of repentance and submission"
Submission to Germany's will is what
| she will never learn" retorted the young
| man, tiercely.
"Tme win prove. Bazaine must retreat.
What say you to that! The first page of
the lesson is learned, my friend"
II do not admit that any lesson has been
learned. We estimate your losses as greater
than our own"
''You estimate! But we do not trust your
! estimates
'They are not founded on opinion. but on
fact
I'VE do not trust your facts, monsieur.
| Your French facts are well known. We
| call your facts liesl Your country is a
| country of lies, country of scOundrels, a
| country Of And there the old man
went off into vituperations and oaths to
which my politely-acquired German did not
extend
Again my duties carried me into the ad-
| joining room, and it was not until long
| after Herr Steinberg had taken his departure
| that [ returned Candles had been lighted,
| and made patches of sickly light here and
| there in the gloom. Some of the men were
| smoking the cigars which had been given
! them; now and then from other beds a low
groan or moan would come and at the
! upper end of the room some fierce discussion
was going on.
went from bed to bed, fulfilling to the
| best of my power the different demands
| modest demands enough, for our poor fell
| lows were Injured to hardship, and were
almost pitifully patient; and, last of all, /
sought Herr Steinberg's young antagonist,
| The pain-lined face he turned to me was
flushed, and his eyes bright with excite
ment.
gave him some water which be asked
| for; then | sat down for a minute by his
mattress.
"Your shoulder is troubling you tonight
| / fearl' / said.
| Eyes; it gives me PAIN
| He remained silent and thoughtful for q
| moment; then he looked at me and said
sorrowfully, but with bitterness:
| Madame understands now how the war
| has broken all friendships
4p0a<se- -z.Il ,se,,d +hn ), 7 eisl .,zi.,
speak soothingly.
"Peace will end the war he said with an |
impatient sigh 'it will not end the bitter |
ness which the war has brought" And |
then, after at least minutes sjlencG, he |
added: st is not possible that Herr Stein |
berg will ever again forgive me for being |
French. have taken the part of my cOun,
try and fought for her. Nothing can alter |
that"
Herr Steinberg's friendship seemed to be |
strangely valuable; it was odd that it should
have the power of inspiring such deep affec-
ton. While pondered this my patient
TTa or TNaip,S n III L IL
very casually.
MADAME knows Herr Steinberg. Posi-
bly, she is acquainted with the good frau!'
But madame was not and said so.
"And there is a daughter, too, continued
the young man, in the same studiously list
less tone.
Eyes; Fraulein Minna."
The listlessness had disappeared in mo-
ment.
"You know herr" be said, eagerly; ''you
see her sometimes, madame: Shall you see
her again! Do you see her alone@ VIII 1t
be soon that you will see her!n
Poor lad! There was not much mystery
about his secret.
''No, do not know her. said; II have
heard her name, no more"
And the look of disappointment that
crept over his face was most pitiful to see.
Some one needed me next moment and
was forced to leave him. ] was busy for
the next few hours. But the little romance
! had partly heard, partly guessed at, was
often in my thoughts. I was growing old,
but my youth was not so far behind me
that had forgotten it. l could be sorry
still for the sorrows of young men and
maidens. My heart ached for the poor
young fellow for whom the war had
T'broken all friendships'-which meant one
friendship And perhaps because was
woman, was more sorry still for the un-
known Minna, who had mo word to say"
To Herr Hartmann her fathers guest.