Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-06-06
CHAPTER XIX.

Never to his dying day would Paul
forget the strange admiXture of emo
tons that well-nigh overwhelmed him
as leaning against the cold wall of the
courtyard. he saw approaching him the
being whom he loved to distraction,
and yet whom he feared was separated
from him forever by the cruel DEGREES
of fate.
Hildegarde looked intently in his
face as she came up.
How strange that we should meet
here. Herr Paul" she said with faint
smile.
1T is remarkable, and | consider
myself fortunate indeed. Tell me, is
he much hurt?" designating with a
nod the spot where Conrad lay. and
pretending not to see her outstretchei
hand, since he could not very we'll ac-
cept it, considering the condition of
his digits.
Through the shoulder mynheer:
but the doctor tells us with good nurs-
ing he will come through" she re-
piled, appearing somewhat shocked at
his evident Discrimination to meet her
friendly advances. But you are
wounded. mynheer."
who said so?" he asked as if an
noyed
They told me over there. 1t is nee
essary for the doctor to remain yet
awhile, so he sent me to you
"Ah! it is next to nothing
Still insist on seeing it,
He could no longer refuse.
One of the men brought water, and
having bathed the stricken member
sne stopped the flow of blood accord
ing to the latest methods men known
to the medical fraternity.
WAS this fight of your seeking.
mynheer?"
Il assure you, not was forced
upon me. I was brought up from my
prison cell to meet him and give him
the satisfaction he has long craved
At this moment one of the soldiers
came up. carrying the Doctors bag.
and quickly followed by the English
man.
HOW eagerly he pounced upon Paul's
good right hand and squeezed it most
heartily!
"Hoch, hoch. hoch. the Americana
he said, in imitation of the hoarse
cries that had signaled Paul's triumph
on that former occasion when he met
Conrad in the Hirschgasse Inn andwon
the everlasting regard of the students
by defeating the hero of tltty duels.
Glad to see you, DOCTOR" said Paul.
and I'm delighted. You make me
feel proud OF my cousins across the
big pond BY Jove! but you soaked 1t
to him hard! An inch lower down
and the air would have whistled
through his lung on this chill October
morning. But. my dear boy. | must
insist on you putting on your coat to
avoid taking cold. All! my good nurse
has done her work WE'LL see. She
is a TREASURED
You are right. Sir Noel echoed
the wounded man, enjoying the look
Of embarrassment that made her face
turn as red as a peony.
Then you have met her before,
Rhinelander?" as Hildegarde moved
toward inc OtueF groups.
whats the use of denying it. Sir
NOEL love that girl with all my
heart and SOUL She is the sweetest
being on earth to me; the dearest in
ten thousand; the one altogether love-
ly!'
That's the way to talk. and I'm in
clined to believe it's all right, too
said the doctor encouragingly.
perhaps it will come out all right,
Sir Noel. | hope SO. at least. And
now wonder what they will do with
mean to go back to my dungeon?''
Il shall see to that-you are wound
ed and should be in the hospital.
can fix it so you may walk the streets
of Metz. The end is almost at hand.
at any rate, for surrender is in the air
Come with me-
So the singular event was over.
Perhaps the like had never been
known before in the annals of warfare.
Paul endeavored to survey it in n
calm manner. devoid of passion. and
was Of the opinion that he had come
out of the affair with something to his
credit.
There was a grim satisfaction in the
reflection that, even as on their first
encounter, he had emerged from the
engagement with honor.
Sir Noel was as good as his word.
He had some magical influence at
headqurters.
AS result Rhnelander found HIM
self given the freedom of the city in
return for his simple promise that he
would neither run away nor attempt
to communicate with the German
forces investing Metz
Paul was keenly interested in all he
saw. But he was seeking face-here
and there he looked wherever crowds
roamed, endeavoring to locate the one
who was in his mind.
If only Karl were present-Karl who
was with the besiegIng host. winning
golden opinions from his superior Of
fcers by his bravery and discretion.
And then Paul had what was pos
sibly one of the most severe shocks
Of his life.
He heard his name softly pronounc-
ed, and, with Karl in his mind, u
seemed to him as though . spirit Of
the air must have spoken. so familiar
were tha tones. Paul could not refrain