The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-14

Colonel. 1 have nothing more to say"
Tho above conversation was taking place
Mt Colonel Brandstein's military quarters.
the day succeeding his interview with MIN
cite.
Tho naughty Prussian officer had been
thoroughly fascinated by the girls beauty
nnd more by tho piquancy OF her manner,
and tho scorn with which she treated his ad-
vances. To will and to have had so long
meant one and the samo thing for him, that
her coldness and Indifference reused in him
IN interest far deeper, u determination more
fierce than any woman yet had been capable
OF inspiring. To this interest was now added
jealousy. He was sure she loved this man
this French prisoner whom the fortune Of
war had delivered into his hands--so sure of
it that he had been content to remain idle in
the city while the fate of his country still
hung undecided in the balance OF events. So
sure Of it, indeed, that his eyes flashed, and
his heart grow furious mt the thought. He
had fanciod this girl would be IN easy con-
quest, and now an array of difficulties faced
him, all tho more tantalIzing because Of their
strangeness and unfamiliarity.
''She sh III be mine yet" he said to himself,
with stern and savage earnestness. And
Leopold Won .Brandstein had never thus re-
solved without accomplishing his purpose.
To him 1t seemed but mere question Of
time. Sooner or later the bough must bond
OF. break the fruit be plucked or fall, accord
own limits Of patience.
She had allured, angered, inconsel him all
| In one, but he resolved none the less to boar
the sharpness OF her scorn, the good OF her
irony, the spur OF her coldnsss, for the sake
| OF that allurement which was in itself so
sweet and by difficulties grew moro tempt-
| ing. His eyes had read the hearts and na-
lures Of many women-they had never read
one like this. To be pure in an atmosphere
of vice, constant in tho are Of temptation
these were indeed virtues he had never OK
perienced, and which, though they won his
| reluctant admiration. never altered tho de-
termination of his heart. And with thoughts
| like these burning in his breast ho went to
the presence OF his rival.
$50 and that is the fellow-n hnndsome
brutel Bohmor, bring that soldier, Pierre
dier gave the salute ami departed on his er-
rand, while the colonel-his inspection Of the
prisoners over-sauntered away from the
| barrack. yard, his face dark, his eyes wrath
full.
EIe long his commands were obeyai. Tn"
man he had desired to see stood before him
calm. grave. patient. On his face no sur
prise, In his eyes no qu stion. though t.
summons was unexpected. The colo'''
| glanced at the list OF names in his hand, tn
| at the figure before him.
"Pierre Leroux?" he questioned.
"The same. monsieur" was the answer
given in French.
81 want few words with you," said the
| colonel, In the same language. BONNER,
you may co." The man obeyed, and left
them together.
Leopold Won Brandstein darted quick
look at the face before him. "You are not a
trained soldier 2" he asked.
"No, monsieur"
"a recruit. suppose?"
"I joined OF my own free will"
"What were your reasons2
"I was not aware that impertinent curioS.
tty was the privilege even OLA conqueror p
"Mein Gott shouted the officer furiously.
| Dare you bo insolent l" Know you not
have full power here. aud could sweep such
vermin US you Off the fuce Of the earth in
two seconds I"
81 do not doubt monsieur's power-or will
to do it."
"Come, come" laughed the colonel,
ashamed OF his momentary loss of temper.
Don't lot us fall to carte and tierce in this
fashion. / wish to be your friend. / have
hoard something OF you that interests NO."
Monsieur is pleased to jest. have neither
friend nor acquaintance who should have
mentioned my name to him." was tho calm
response.
perhaps you are moro fortunate than you
imagine. 1t was woman who spoke OF
you."
Despite his efforts at self control, Pierre
could not keep tho hot flush from his face
could not still these heavy suffocating throbs
OF his heart at these words.
81 nm right, see," resumed the colonel.
''The cause that sent you to the wars, my
friend, is not hard to guess. A woman had
hand in that. or am much mistaken"
II am at loss to surmiso how my private
affairs can possibly interest monsieur" His
questioner frowned angrily.
| Doubtless you are. But there is romance
In most lives. l have mine, would fain hear
yours"
"The leaf is folded down to be opened al
no mans bidding"
"Nor woman's eitherp" his tormentor per-
sisted.
~ have told monsieur that though obedi-
ence is soldiers duty, his private affairs
arc not subjects for an officers inquisitive
fancy to pry into"
"And say they ares il it suits the officer to
make them so. Listen, fellowl You are
here prisoner. alone. friendless, ut the
mercy Of your foes. You are but unit
among many. Your fate none will know
unless We choose"
lis 1t brave to taunt mo with my power
lessness, or contest it with your privilege oil
tyranny, monsieur2" asked the cold calm
voice Of the listening prisoner.
"Gott in Himmel This makes me angry,
and ashamed all in one" muttered the col
onel wrathiully. "Will nothing make him
speakT
"Listen" he- resumed presently. at il
not well for you to use your tongue thus
freely. Remember have it in my power TO
mako you pay dearly for your insolenco. Do
you know that tho woman you love is here,
In this city-that she and I are well ac-
quainted-that it is for hor sake have
sought you out-that to please her would
do you servicop Do you know thisP