Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-08


 Rise, sluggardl" he shouted. 'Kriegs Mobil. We are to mobilize for war. In fortnight the cavalry of the guard must be beyond the Rhine.''
 The Chateau Revenant in the neigh borhood of Nancy had been forsaken by it's aristocratic owners. When, in spite of their splendid bravery, Mac mahon and his gallant troops had been driven in headlong rout from the blood stained field of Worth, the ancient family fled westwards, too, leaving behind only Gabriel Monod, the aged butler, to whom it would have meant death to go forth from the home of his masters, where he had lived, man and boy, till now so summers whitened his head. He would guard and care for it lovingly while they were away.
 A patrol of Uhlans had ridden up to the main entrance, and the officer an. nounced to the pale and astonished Gabriel that the must prepare break fast for Gen. Helm von GruBsch and his staff, who would arrive and take up their quarters for the day, and pos sibly the ensuing night.
 That was a day never to be forgotten by the aged servant of the Revenants. In and out of the parquetted rooms stamped the spurred and booted Ger mans, and instead cf decorous still ness there was the clank Of sabers. and the costly hangings of the stately dining and reception rooms showed through wreaths and spira1s of to- bacco smoke. And the wine cellar the pride of the butler and the wonder of the neigh ghborhood for miles around what gaps were made in it! Was there ever such thirst known? At last the day came to an end, and the of ficers anpased themselves with sone and jest.
 In a corner of the lofty drawing room card table wa s setout, and here Helm von Grubscil and three of his principal officers sat down to whist. Every now and then they would ad- journ to a massive sideboard in the next apartment and quaff goblets of that wonderful champagne of the Revenants, which was quite priceless. Gabriel came and looked at them from a nearer distance every now and then. Should he tell them the story of the Reyenant ghost, and thrill the nerves of those naughty, martial Teutons? At last he plucked up courage, and asked permission from the 'sMessieurs les officiers AlIemands'' Helm von Grubsch laughed a. consent, and to a znocking group Gabriel told his tale, and this is it's substance.
 A young man had been cheated of his lady love by a wealthy member of the Revenant family. He, in despair, but disgusting his grief, had come one night and played cards with his rival. Late, towards dawn, when the rosy fingers of the coming day were caress- ing the hill tops, the rich Revenant trumped the ace of hearts with dia- monds. At that moment D'Estrees sprang from his seat and blew his brains out with a pistol. His rival died two days later, thrown from horse. And since that date it was the tradition that ifaanyone who had separ- ated two loving hearts should play at cards in the room, to him young DIES trees would appear in the shape of the living lover and be a sportent of the doom of the rich and ruthless destroy CT CT love S young dream.
 The Germans heard the story through, and then gutfawed. Helm von Grubsch laughed less merrily than the others. Indeed, he had drowned once or twice during the mar. rative.
 Well" he said at last, '"we will play till dawn and test your ghost, my man. The wine is good. Let tomorrow take care of itself.''
 The next rubber opened with dia. monds, but interest in hearts there was none till Von Grubseh's partner. playing second, put down the ace ct hearts. A look of perpIexity pasee over the generals face as he gazed at his cards.
 "Awfully sorry to trump your trick" were the words whose German equiy- alent came to his lips. But no soon. CT had he taken the card between two of the fingers of his right hand than it was laid hold of He looked up. and there, standing in front of him, was the tall figure of an officer of the cavalry of the guard The eyes were fixed in q strangely absent man. ner on the distant dawnIight All saw, but took what they saw for real flesh and blood, till q moment later the figure was gone. The general played the ten of diamonds.
 ..The rest of the tricks are mine, gentlemen" said he, showing q hand Of all the court and higher cards of diamonds.
 What hand. What luclsl' ex- claimed the others.
 Helm von Grubsch rose from the chair. cloud was OH his brow.
 You saw a cuirassier?' he. asked, suddenly.
 II thought so,' stammered each in turn.
 Perhaps 1t vas that champagne. he unused.
 Two days later he fell dead in battle. shot through the temple by a Chasse- pot bullet.
 Diamonds can sunder hearts 10 more" whispered Max von yelGenz, as he led his charming bride. Eva von salitz, from tho altar of the Daum