The Holly chieftain., 1902-06-13

A~A NoASAN Oan8
-Ye.s xop.n." ssphed P.ai.
quickly turnipg his. head s look over
his sshoulder. as though the mention
OF the COUNTESS might casse her to
appear. y
Well. she is in Metz, though hope
mot withiHsouna Of my voice, Al tpd
may depend upon II Just rs much
factor nsthe Ea1he g ever. l saw her
come out of the hospital whaee your
victim was being nprsed. and th4look
on her face was worth studyingsss
you give me cold shiver. scom-
rade. l fear mo- man alive; but heaven
deliver me from such woman. How
ever. let us dismiss hsr from snr
thoughts, Tel me more about Hide
garde, Such subject will take the
bad taste from my mouth"
well. have seen the young woman.
again and you may even have that
pleasure tonight :.
How so."
Simply because we are going to a
house that adjoins the Red Cross hos
pital where she is engaged in her holy
labor ~ sS s
That is singular indeed"
1T may be more ere we are through.
You know i am arm believer In the
working Of Providence. and to my
mind there Is something more than
a mere coincidence Ia this thing"
They we're now Aear their destina-
ton. Apparently there was no suspic-
ious craft above the horizon-at least
Won. stettin : gave NO indication of
serious alarm. p
THE hospital!" he muttered.
Paul came to stand for a moment
who could blame him under the cir
cumstances!
Although he halted to look In at the
open door only brief time. 1t proved
most unfortunate piece Of business
for him. as subsequent events turned
out sfNi{. iifsfft ~.
A figure stood to one side, perhaps
waiting until the wounded soldiers had
all been carried into the house Of
mercy-a figure screened by the chad
ows that fell on that side OF the great
building, observed Pauls action and
only with dinaculty repressed cry Of
satiafaction when the light fell upon
his face.
! For although the eagursi and dress
Of the watcher seemed to belong, to
. dandy French captain. the ecounte-
nance was surely that OF the bold ad-
venturess. the Countess Aimee.
Karl awaited his friend at the ad-
Joining door. Are you ready!" he
asked, solemnly. u, 90 s1asF
go on" Paul said. shortly.
The door opened and they passed IN.
Up the stairs-now light appeared
above, coming from an open door. stt
Karl. is 1t you!" asked q girls
voice, whereupon the Individual de-
clared it to be no other.
When Paul saw the loverlike meet
ing Of the two young people he knew
1t was all right, and that the chances
were his friend would never again
wish to challenge any one. because of
jealously. f'a tstt4
And how startled the pretty girl was
when she discovered second figure
ascending quickly she sprang
away from Karl and uttered an ex-
clamation. tfzi
Perhaps It was more on account of
her fears for Karl's safety, within the
French lines on such perilous mis-
sion. than mere maidenly modesty.
that made her cry out, sfs
.'Beatrix!" he called.
Sister, have you then forgotten
me?"
Then q glad cry broke nom her lips.
and Beatrix gladly, greeted the. new
conner with all the warmth the dearest
brother could expect
You do not know-oh! Paul, how
shall tall you the truth-hpw will
you bear IT." she said, Ia = weak al
most ic-stricken voice.
"Ah! But I do know 1t. my dearest
girl.
About our mother!" eagerly.
Yes" .s
"Oh! Paul. how II In your heart
do You hate her stiil-she has suffered
so-" fs5a a,,. .li.,
Our mother" he said, softly, ten
derly..
His words. his manner aroused her
widest hopes.
You forgive-you forget-you will
love her even - do. Oh! God, this
IL blessed news-I thank thee for, this
happy hour. Oh! how siad am that
sns has lived to know this blessed
hour"