The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-12-30
r/unr pRALLBuRG stood before

tache had indeed grown more present
able in the course Of the last week, and
that his new lieutennnt's uniform was
fadltless in fit. IL was still quite new,
the uniform-Kurt had possessed the
right TO wear it but six short weeks
and he was only 20 years old. To be
sure, If his elder brother had not been
determined that Kurt must pass his
university examination before he en-
tered the regiment he would have taken
rank as officer three years ago. He had
missed a great deal through his long
detention in college, but he would re-
trieve the loss-he was on the best way
20 that end now-and o, If Reinhard,
his elder brother, but knew thatl
Just then he entered the room, the
Herr Assessor Drnllburg. He was ten
years older than the lieutenant, and
since the early death of their father
he had taken his place in caring for the
youth.
81 come TO ask If you will accompany
me TO the theater this evening"" be-
gan the assessor. "A new comedy by
Moser is 10 be given, and the company
IS not at all bad"
Hurts face assumed look OF grave
importance and mystery.
II am very sorry--it is impossible for
me TO go-I must go 10 Heldreichs."
"To Heldreich's? Were you invited
there?"
"No-not exactly-that is, / am in
vited so often that i accept Fraulein
Greta's kind permission and go when
j choose--but tonight l am obliged to
go in order to return her fam"
"How do you happen TO have her
FAM"
''She gave IL TO me at the pension"
The Herr Assessor paced the floor in
given him such permission. Suddenly
he stopped before Kurt.
"Listen, my boy. I must speak TO
you in regard to Fraulein Heldreich.
She is a very capricious girl, accus-
toned TO indulge her every within and
fancy"
"Allow me-"
"She is, as said, capricious, and her
latest fancy is an overwhelming feeling
of friendliness toward YOU"
"But allow me"
az must advise you 10 have care how
you compromise her in society by fol-
lowing her like n shadow, and beg Of
you not to make yourself ridiculous by
assuming certain airs when you speak
of her"
81 most earnestly beg that you allow
me TO interrupt you for n moment.
give myself none OF the airs you men
ton and certainly have not compro-
missed this lady. whom / most sincere
~ respect Besides, am an officer, and
OF age, and, although shall never for
get that you are my elder brother, to
whom l owe everything, yet / must
earnestly request that you do not in
terfere in my most intimate private
affairs. Good evening-and n pleasant
time at the theater."
With that and the coolest little bow,
the lieutenant left the room. The Herr
Assessor threw himself into chair
and, with bowed head resting on his
hand, sank into deep thought. Had it
come TO thisi Kurt speak 20 him SOL
But why did he grow so angry when
Kurt spoke of Greta Heldreich? He
was right, but IL was so hard for him
20 accustom himself to the fact that
"little Kurt" was grown. He could not
help admonishing him; perhaps he had
said too much. But could he calmly look
on while Greta allowed Kurt 10 devote
himself to her in this conspicuous man
a. 10 ,1at tttt Inc .f IfU
boyish brain? Gretal Greta! What an
enigma is n maiden's hearth When was
the time when Rcinhard believed that
he himself was not indifferent TO her?
Kurt was certainly the possessor Of
many attractions, none knew better
than did his elder brother, but he was
so immature, younger than Greta and
totally unable TO comprehend the deep
err nature OF the girl. 1t was a puzzle
TO him.
With an effort, the Herr Assessor
aroused himself from his painful
thoughts, and, feeling himself incapa-
BILE of work, and equally unfit for the
nmiabe usagcs OF society, carried out
his original purpose and sought the
little theater which had been running
for several weeks in the provincial
town. With programme In hand he sat
in his corner, following the play with
no especial interest. During n pause
an acquaintance called his attention
20 an announcement, which read:
sin preparation, The Physician
Original comedy by We call
attention especially 10 this novelty,
which will probably be produced with
In n week, because OF its authors as
ISOLATION with our own community
and because IL has never been produced
elsewhere"
"Who among MS writes plays?" in
quired the Herr Assessor.
swell, that is the question" replied
Lieut.. F..
'During the next pause we will make
some Inquiries OF the director"
The director, with an air OF great
mystery, declared that he had pledged
himself to secrecy. In short, the
authorship was not vet 10 be made pub