The Holly chieftain., 1902-07-04
CHAPTER XIII.
Conclusion.

LAANc8dAuc AAC6 lOSI lIA VolIOEs anu
Paul smiled grimly. At the same time
he kept an eye on Aimee.
Just as he expected, the banned
countess aimed to carry out desper-
ate plan.
1T Il a lie. base forgery. trick
to deceive fools; but 1t cannot hood
, wink me. What is this you say-that
tho man shall go free. he, caught red
handed in the act. = spy, . hated Ger
man SPY. at only for the haltery And
you dare to say that, you who swore
ON bended knees that my word should
be law?"
The poor major, victim Of cross
purposes, could only shrug his shoul-
-ders.
There is previous oath, ma'mselle,
my vow to my country to obey my
superiors. That Is above life to me.
since my honored name is involved.
Even for you dare not order my
men to arrest one who is under the
protection OF such sacred document.
written by Marshal Bazaine him
SELF"
The countess, apparently cheated
out Of her prey, and deserted by an
ally whom she had believed could be
depended upon through thick and
thiQ. looked about her sullenly. Des-
peration had made her temporarily
mad. and she would risk even her own
destruction in order to gain revenge.
From figure to figure this glance
went--and then he saw q fierce JOY
fash over her face.
II was as though she had discov-
cred that all was not yet quite lost.
All! 1t was Karl!
Remembering as he did that. the
other had candidly confessed he was
In Metz as secret agent of the Ger
man forces, no wonder Paul felt
sudden fall OF his spirits when he
srecoliected that the magic document
of his British friend would not cover
two companions, and that the dread
ful fats Of death at the hands OF the
mob, from which he had Just escaped
by mere scratch, would probably be
the doom of his friend and brother,
poor Karl.
Still keeping her eyes glued upon
Karl. the countess once more ad-
dressed the major, resolved to test the
last remainder of her power over that
worthy. &
"One has escaped US, you say, but
do. not forget, my friend. there are
two. Yonder man, his comrade, il
the spy we seek. You prate Of your
sacred duty rs soldier-let US see
some Of 1t now-arrest that man and
search him for positive evidence OF
his guilt"
The major woke up. He was once
: more the warrior bold, eager to faith
fully serve the woman he adored.
Heaven help the poor devil upon
whom his concentrated wrath now
fell. for, having been held in the leash
80 long the Aghting major was apt to
be exceedingly ferocious.
Howevet, II the bellicose soldier an
,ticipated any quailing ON the part OF
Karl Won Stettin, he made the most
grievous mistake Of his life,
The young Heidelberg philosopher
even smiled as brightly as one could
wish.
In fact, he even appeared pleased to
have all eyes concentrated in his di-
rection.
This was not braggadocio.
What could 1t mean?
3 Beatrix crept up beside Karl, and
caught hold Of his arm.
Her action could not be mistaken-
1t meant q plainly ~ those words of
old which Ruth spoke to Naomi:
whittier thou goest l shall 20, thy
country shall be my country. thy God
God my Cod
Karl put an arm around the girl
and strained her to his heart.
And into Hildegarde's cheeks. hith-
erto rs white q marble, the color
isurged, a. the light Of . great reveia-
ton began to force its way.
Paul. then, was not lost-he had not
been unfaithful-he was I'LL her most
.fervid fancy had ever painted him
and deep down In her heart she knew
he loved her. I5
No wonder. then. she siowsa with
sudden hope and the world took ON 4
new brightness after al, Il = our
condition Of mind that makes or mars
ths ,nAns. TO The happy soul even 4
dreary day Of rain AAotds ssusons 81