Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-05-02

That the influence OF the schemer
Countess Aimee would follow him to
Berlin. he never once thought, teliev-
ing he would leave her far behind.
That was because he did not know
the willy woman and her astonishing
powers as we'll as he should have done
in order to defeat her clever plans.
Paul had been well watched.
The government spy lowered near.
and there was besides another who
worked in the interest of the countess
great times these two honest
WORTHLESS had In lodging each other
while keeping an eye on the main
chance, as embodied in the American.
Paul ignored them as much as pos
sible-be had quite enough to think
about in the premises.
Should they give him too much trou-
BILE later on perhaps he would take
turn out Of them in fashion peculiar
to the wild and woolly West, and after
way, to weaken their enthusiasm.
Karl was not surprised when he
heard what sudden alteration Paul
was making in his plans, for Karl was
of a phlegmatic temperament and dis
posed to take the most extraordinary
things as he found them.
"One favor, comrade," he said while
shaking hands at the train later in the
night. .
Granted before you speak," replied
Paul.
Speak good word for me when you
apply for commission. God knows l
would like to be at your side If the
war comes, and 1t grows closer and
hoarser along the Rhine every day"
ut shall be zwei," was what Paul
called back as the express quilted the
platform.
When young Rhinelander shook the
sacred dust Of Heidelberg. with all its
pleasant student recollections, from his
feet, and started in the direction of the
capital, he took it for granted that he
would be closely watched, since at the
time he was an object of solicitude to
several parties.
He little guessed, however, to what
ends some of these spies might go in
order to prevent him from carrying out
his designs.
To the countess it was matter of
considerable moment whether or not
he reached Berlin with the design of
seeking an audience with those high in
authority.
And she would go to considerable
trouble in order to prevent this same
thing, being woman of remarkable
will power. +..
Through the night the Berlin train
painted, and Paul, having made himself
as comfortable as the conditions would
allow, endeavored to sleep
But he found sleep would not come.
so he reviewed what had passed during
his interview with Hildegarde.
How plainly it all came before him
he could easily shut his eyes and see
her again as she stood there blushing
in confusion.
He loved to dwell upon this scene.
Somehow, there We're features con-
nected with it that told him he could
not be an object of Indifference in ner
eyes.
Then. again, when he remembered
the blot that rested upon his family
name he groaned in secret.
Could she. would she forgive-these
high-class German families. as he we'll
knew, were very punctilious about
such things, and in many cases the
breath of scandal had severed arrange
ments for wedding.
So Paul was miserable, at times let
ting his mind dwell upon a picture
painted by fancy in her lightest mood
and then dashing over the bright scene
a pail Of mingled doubt and despair.
All this while the train was booming
on, crossing broad plains, rafting over
bridges, and stopping occasionally at
towns en- route.
Paul, finding it utterly impossible
for him to sleep. began to amuse him
self by observing his fellow-passen-
gers.
This is always an interesting study
for any one fairly fond Of reading hu-
man nature, for nowhere may more
pronounced types be found than in
second-class Continental railway car
riage. 49,. ~.
There were several persons in the
compartment with him.
One was a merchant travelling to
Berlin, second seemed to be an old
officer, grizzled with years in the serv-
ice of his king, while the third Paul
found himself much in doubt about
though finally reaching the conclusion
that he was possibly the son of some
rich man journeying to Berlin to offer
his services to the Grown, his term in
the army having expired.
All of which was pure speculation.
Later on Paul discovered. somewhat.
to his surprise, and not at all to his
liking. that he was an object of con-
siderable curiosity to the trio.
: Finally this aroused Paul's curiosity
and he began to suspect that his fell
low-travelers might be other than the
innocents they appeared upon the sur
face.
Perhaps one Of them was a govern
ment agent, bound at all hazards to
keep him under surveillance since it
was believed in official circles that the
American had entered into conspir-
acy against the authorities.
Which one this might be gave him