The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-04-12

J,sss--<N
He tOttered and tcU in the arms Of his
subordinate.
battles" said sternly. MY Cod"
breaking down suddenly, "supposing
you had been killed.
at was not possible. And the man
insulted me, not you. a woman? Very
well. | can defend myself against ev-
erything but calumny. Have l made
laughing stock Of you? 1t is nothing
to me. 1t would not have altered
my She was very white, and she
stroked her forehead.
"Well?' said |.
'It would not have altered my deter
mination to take the sword in hand
again."
She put her hand to her throat as
though something there had frightened.
"Ah, am a woman, for | believe that
| am about to faint. No!' imperious-
ly as | threw out my arms to catch
her. Il can reach the door alone with
out assistance"
And so we went along. l did not
know what to do nor yet what to say.
A conflict was raging in my heart be-
tween shame and love-shame that a
woman had fought for me and won
where l should have lost, love that
strove to spring from my lips in eXulta-
ton. | knew not which would have
conquered had | not espied the blood
on Gretchen's white hand.
You are wounded" | cried.
She gaZed at her hand as though she
did not understand; then, with a little
sob and little choke she extended her
arms toward me and stumbled. Was
ever there a woman who could look on
blood without fainting? Gretchen had
not quite tainted, but the moon had
danced, she said, and all had grown
dim.
Gretchen, why did you risk your
life? In Gods name, what manner of
woman are you and where did you
learn to use the sword? Had you no
thought Of me" | was somewhat in
coherent.
mo thought Of your She drew the
back Of her hand over her eyes. mo
thought Of you? | did it because-be-
cause | did mott could not-you would
have been killed."
| was man-human. | loved her.
had always loved her | had never
loved any one else. | was q coward to
do what | did but | could not help it.
/ crushed her to my breast and kissed
her lips, not once. but many times.
How dare your weakly.
How dare |, Gretchen, dear Gret-
chem said 81 dare because | love
you love you, What is it to me that
you have dishonored me in the eyes of
men? Nothing. | love you. Are you
Il barmaid! | care not. Are you con-
sprator? | know not nor care.
know but one thing. | love you.
shall always love you. Shall tell you
more? Gretchen. you love mel"
mo, no, it cannot be!' she sobbed.
pushing me back. II am the most
wretched woman in the world. Do not
follow me, herr. Leave me; | beg you
to leave me. | have need Of the little
strength left. Leave me, leave mew
And she passed through the doorway
into the darkness beyond. | did not
move from where | stood. / grew
afraid that it was a dream and that IL
| moved it would vanish. | could yet
feel her 1.-THE, warm body palpitating
in my arms. My lips still tingled and
! burned with the flame Of hers. An
eXultant wave swept over me. She
loved me! She had not told me so, but
! | knew. She had put her heart before
mine. My life was dearer to her than
her own. could have laughed for joy.
She loved me! My love overwhelmed
my shame, engulfed it, Then
81 know you" said a harsh voice al
my elbow. 1t startled me. and wheel
ed swiftly. 1t was the lleutenant's
brother officer. 81 thought from what
heard of you that you were n man
worth trouble and caution. Ach. you.
the man we have secured the country
for? | should not have believed 1t.
To let woman fight for him! And
she-she Is more than woman-she Is
goddess" with enthusiasm. IF |
was betrothed TO her. I'd find her II
I had to hunt In heaven and hell for
her. And what does she see i'm your
He snapped his fingers derisively. 81
warn you that your race Is run. You
cannot leave a railway station within
the radius Of hundred miles. The
best thing you can do Is to swim the
river and stop In the middle. The
prince Is at the village. and he shall