The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-05-01

7 Il SMITH, New York
| Somehow the memory of Karl 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
4 strongest possible fertilization against
all harm.
| He remembered his promise to Hill
degarde, and was desirous of keeping
it 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 a phenomenally short time.
That the influence of the schemer
Countess Aimee would follow him to
Berlin, he never once thought, heliev-
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 lowered near,
aud there was besides 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.
mi ION ~,
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 a
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 Kari was
of a phlegmatic temperament and dis,
posed to take the most extraordinary
things as he found them.
Zone 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 zwei." 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 1t 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 go in
order to prevent him from carrying out
his designs.
To the countess it 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 go to considerable
trouble in order to prevent this same
| thing, being woman of remarkable
will power.
Through the night the Berlin train
painted, and Paul, having made himself
as comfortable as the conditions would
allow, endeavored to sleep.
But he found sleep would not come
so he reviewed what had passed during
his interview with Hildegarde.
How plainly it all came before him
he could easily shut his eyes and see
her again as she stood there blushine
in confusion.
He loved to dwell upon this scene
Somehow, there were features con-
nected with it that told him he could
not be an object Of indifference in mel
eyes.
| Then. .gain, when he remembered
the blot that rested upon his family
name he groaned in secret.
Could she, would she forgive-these
high-class German families. as he well
knew, were very punctilious about
such things, and in many cases the
breath of scandal had severed arrange.
ments for a wedding.
So Paul was miserable, at times let.
ting his mind dwell upon picture
painted by fancy in her lightest mood
and then dashing over the bright scene
pail Of mingled doubt and despair.
| All this while the train was boomins
on, crossing broad plains, rafting ovel
bridges, and stopping occasionally a
towns en- route.
4 Paul, finding 1t utterly impossible
for him to sleep, began to amuse him
self by observing his fellow passen
u gers.
This is always an interesting stud,
for any one fairly fond of reading hui
man nature. for nowhere may nor,
pronounced types be found than in
second-class Continental railway car
| ,;1r