The Holly chieftain., 1902-05-02


time believed.
It was after Paul had left the house
that he remembered one thing-he had
failed to tell her the name Of the man
whose action had brought such dis
grace and ignominy upon their family.
She would not know, unless he sent
word, that the one she believed to be
her cousin, Conrad Hoffman, was the
son OF that same mani
The thought made his blood boil
he feared lest In some way this scion
OF an infamous traitor should in his
turn bring additional sorrow upon the
house OF Rhinelander.
Somehow the memory Of Kari COM
forted him-the leader Of the Rhine
korps was already an object of deepest
interest to Beatrix, and in that grow
Ing love Paul believed he could see the
strongest possible fertilization against
all harm.
He remembered his promise to Hill
degarde, and was desirous Of keeping
1t without delay. The school must be
given up-other duties seemed to call
him to fields Of more activity.
SO Paul began to prepare to leave
Heidelberg by the nignt express, the
Dutch cannon ball train of the period.
that would land him In the German
capital in phenomenally short time.
That the influence of the schemer
Countess Aimee would follow him to
Berlin. he never once thought, believ-
ing he would leave her far behind.
That was because he did not know
the willy woman and her astonishing
powers as well as he should have done
in order to defeat her clever plans.
Paul had been we'll watched.
The government spy hovered near,
and there was bssides 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-he 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 phlegmatic temperament and dis
posed to take the most extraordinary
things ~ 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 /
would like to be at your side If the
war comes, and it grows closer and
hoarser along the Rhine every day"
ut shall be xwei," 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 30 in
order to prevent him from carrying out
his designs.
To the countess 1t 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 60 to considerable
trouble in order to prevent this same
thing. being woman Of remarkable
viii power.
Through the night the Berlin train
painted, and Paul, having made himself
a. comfortable ~ the conditions would
allow, endeavored to sleep.
But he found sleep would not come,
70 he reviewed Whist had passed during
his interview with Hildegarde.
How plainly 1t ali came before him
he could easily shut his eyes and zee
her again ~ she stood there blushing
In confusion.
He loved to dwell upon this scene.
Somehow. there were features con-
nected with It that told him he could