The Red Cloud chief., 1902-03-07

III imdSiIdtlOn, Idul COulu already
see the formal character of the order
which gave him a footing among the
soldiers Of the King, and directed him
how to reach the front.
lie was therefore never more sur
prised in his life thar when. upon
opening the letter, he discovered that,
instead OF the printed form he had ex-
pected, he saw feminine chirography.
He looked up, frowning.
You have made q mistake" he said.
Surely not. Look on the other side."
returned the messenger, eagerly.
Here was his name beyond a perad-
venture:
Herr Paul Rhinelander.
Hotel Royale.'
With a feeling of establishment he
again whipped the paper over, and
this time his eye ranged from the
Dear Friend at the top to the sig
nature that he discovered below.
Then il was an electric snock per-
meated his whole system.
For that name was "~Hildegarde!"
y He somehow or other forgot all about
the important order he had been eX-
Decting-love takes preference even
above the ambitions of martial glory.
When Paul read the contents of the
note he was stirred, and for the time
being reason gave way to impulse.
H~ildegarde was in Electromagnetic
ed trouble had come upon her n she
needed a friends advice and assistance
could she presume upon his courtesy
to assist her in solving a p%erplexing
dilemma, and. II thus inclined, would
he speed without delay to the house at
which she was stopping. since o-mor
row might be too late?
Would he go? Well-it must be
something very unusual that could stop
him.
But where-the note failed to men
ton the name and number Of the
strasse where she awaited him
Again he turned to the messenger.
The lady gave you this letter her
self?"
With her own charming hand, myn-
heer."
You can take me to her at once"
"That Is what | am here for, myn-
heer."
Lead me to her. friend, said Paul,
endeavoring TO still the eXultant strain
in his voice.
"At once. mynheer. Pray follow"
came the reply.
= They set off.
The messenger seemed fully at home
in the great German capital, and led
Paul hitler and thither with the ut
J most freedom.
sIpJonI if III, ,1ya,ot, IoI hnor
. especially intended to confuse the
American, and make him lose all sense
of his bearings, they could hardly have
been better arranged.
Those numerous bridges over the
Spree seemed so much alike that
Rhinelander found himself utterly un-
able to declare which side of the river
he stood upon.
A stranger in Berlin can easily be
lost in some of the districts that com
pare with London's Whitechapel.
Paul was not paying much attention
to these things, his mind being upon
facts that seemed of more importance
to him. facts that concerned the writer
Of that note.
Why had Hildegarde come to Der.
lin?
There must be some mystery back Of
1t. some story which she was DESTROYS
of confding to him.
This thought increased his eagerness
to reach her side.
She spoke of %peril-how gladly would
he throw himself into the breach tc
ward off any impending disaster-it
was a blessed privilege for which hi
could not be too thankful.
Finally his guide led him into 6
house.
Paul had a vague feeling that tn,
neighborhood was hardly up to tn,
standard of responsibility he might
y have set, but such minor matter!
should not be allowed to disturb hi!
pleasant frame of mind, as he antici
pated a speedy interview with the OBJ
feet Of his regard.
AS he sat In a stuffy little parlor anC
awaited the coming OF Hildegarde, h,
remembered the occasion in Heidelberg
when he had last seen her. when sh,
blushed SO beautifully under his com
pliments, and aroused within his hear
so furious a holy passion that the yer,
thought of 1t still had power to cleo
trify him.
He could not sit still longer, but
thrilled with eager anticipation, begar
to walk excitedly up and down the con
fines OF the little room.
Was that a voice-ah! surely hi
keen ears should know the swish o
feminine skirts.
She was coming. then, his heart
idol, his queen. and the miserable littl
parlor would presently be glorihed b.
her radiant presence.
Closer still came the sound Of femi
nine garments, and Paul held his yer,
breath as his eyes were glued Upon tn
door at the other end of the room
through which she must presently ap
pear.
Than anna ane hurst nnnn his etart