The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-23


continued, other men Of your age have
married Bertmann was half dozen
years your senior when he took wife
II 5 a thing that happens every day. And
then, those eight hundred fiorinsr
The general stood still in his troubled
walk about the room. and cienched his
two hands at the ceiling. Yes. those eight
hundred hOrins-that. after all was the
susceptible point. The idea that the gov
eminent was destined 10 save another
widow 5 pension. that a life devoted 10 pro-
viding the Arar with pecuniary embar-
easements, should end in a death as
'cheap' as that Of Gen. Bertmann-there-
IN II was that the sting lay, and had lain
Tor long, secret and unacknOwledged. BY
dying unmarried. he was literally max
ing present Of eight hundred forms 10
the government. Yes, IL was riling, and
no mistake. There would only be just
time TO avert that evil. seeing that his
5sth birthday lay behind him; and an,
what a trick lit would be TO play upon
the unsuspecting authorities-what long
faces they would make.
ITS preposterousr' he said once more
aloud, and angrtly knocking the ashes out
Of his pipe. he made straight for bed.
For a week he kept away from the
school, then he walked in unexpectedly
one afternoon. He wanted to see whether
they had quite done laying the new
boards. Having satisfied himself on this
point, he began making straight for the
entrance; then changed his mind and re-
traced his steps Fraulein Buchner with
school books under her arm, met him
halfway down the passage.
her, hercely and abruptly.
The teacher looked at him with a little
establishment. Fortunately, he had spo-
ken loud enough to be understood.
yes. your excellency," she replied.
"Then look here, just sew on this piece
of braid-l mean, please do So It's some
how got loose"
There usually was something or other
either loose or missing about the gem
erals toilet. Very few of his subordi-
mates had ever seen him with his run
complement of buttons. on this occasion
it was the braid on his sleeve which was
the offender
Well why aren't you beginning?" he
because must fetch needle and thread
Will your eXcellency wait here for min
ute2'
The needle and thread was fastened and
the braid made fast again with dett mn
gers. ,,-,,,
reflected the general while he looked down
at the pale sad face that was bent over
his hand. It's quite time that something
should be done for her.
THANK your he shouted when the OPP
Grafton was concluded. How do you like
being at Modelburg?" he added, very much
to his own astonishment.
Not worse than being at other places,
she replied, with the first smile he had
vet seen on her face, and one that said
even more than her tears had done.
"Humphw said the general as he turn
ed back to the entrance; but he took that
smile away with him in his memory, ana II
she sewed on that braid very neatly"
he told himself at home. Il suppose IL
must be a certain convenience TO nave
person at hand who can do those sort of
things And then she could keep the room
in order, too, so that one would know
where to find ones pipe and where the
matches were likely to be. l wonder II
she can make decent cofteeY she looks
practical / fancy that whoever marries
her won't make a bad bargain, as tar as
that goes and something must be done
for her. that's certain. l don't think L m
| quite az frightened of her as of the gem
eral run of women. Probably it, her deaf
| ness that makes her seem more harmless.
Suddenly he stepped up to the half
blind mirror on the wall
/ "'I suppose I'm an awful old fright, ne
soliloouized, peering al his own reflection
with a far more critical Saze than ne had
done for forty years past. Il wonder what
/ I should look like If my beard were cut
an inch or so. l will try it, just as an
And the general began again to walk
about his room. as was his haDlt When ne
The restiessness held on for several
| weeks more by night as well as by day
witness his bedelotheS, whose violently
| tumbled condition was wont to puzzle his
! attendant regularly every morning. How
long this state of things might
have continued no one knows
the girls school, quite unwittingly,
given a sudden turn to the wheel OF rate;
must speak to your excellency, TINS ell
DERBY and Manufactured matron had re-
marked, at the conclusion of one OF his
visits of Inspection Is ap bea, ;pereesl
ing so rapidly of late that she VIII not De
able to perform her duties for much long
er. 1t is quite time TO DC loohins ou'
for a substitute.
"Humph! Yes, I suppose So, grunted
the general. And what is to become OF
Fraulein Ruchner?"
The head mistress shrugged her bony
"Reallv' your excellency, I have not
occllpied myself with the question. My
duty is toward the school, and deaf
teacher is distinct loss TO lhe estapiish-
All right" said Gen. Seidl. send me
FNrauIein Buchner; I'll speak to her"
Then for several minutes he stood alone
in the narlor and stared at the walls.
Even now he did not feel quite sure of
what he was going to do.
Presently the door opened, and Frau
lein Buchner came in, quietly and unob-
trusively as usual but with a distinct
shade of alarm upon her usually so re-
signed face. 1t was evident that she eX-
nected the announcement of her dismissal.
In the same moment that Gen. Seidl met
her frightened, questioning gaze ms
course of action became quite clear to
u don't believe you're happy here!' he
hurst out before he had become aware
that he meant to speak. Eth, tell me the
truth-but the truth, mind ana ne
frowned at her as threateningly as he was
wont to frcwn at a mounted squadron
which had aroused his displeasure in the
matter of stirrups or seat
Marie Buchners eyes filed suddenly
with tears.
at doesn't matter" she said INSTEAD
ily. 81 don't believe I shall be here for
much longer"
Don't you think you would be happier
if vou married-if, for instance, you-con-
found tiff you married-me? Don't
me quickly what you think of the idea?'
~ beg your pardon?" said Marie Buch-
ner. for the dread of listeners in the pass
age had caused the general instinctively
to lower his voice. He repeated his query
in a tone which suggested an approach
ing paroxysm of rage.
your excellency is surely joking" said
Fraulein Buchner, aghast She did not
dare to say Il beg your pardon" again,
although she still distrusted her ears.
1T sounds like a joke agreed the gen.
eral. grimly Il myself took it for one
at first OF course, l know that 1 m old
enough to be your father, and all that
gee into the bargain; but rye thought
and thought, and l can't hit upon any
.I,s,.rr elS see this sort of