The Red Cloud chief., 1902-03-21
CHAPTER XIX.

Never to his dying day would Paul
forget the strange admixture Of emo
tons that well-nigh overwhelmed him
as. leaning against the cold wall Gf the
courtyard. he saw approaching him the
being whom he loved to distraction.
and yet whom he feared was separated
from him forever by the cruel DEGREES
OF fate.
Hildegarde looked intently in his
face as she came UP.
How strange that we should meet
here, Herr PAUL." she said with q faint
smile.
1T Is remarkable, and l consider
myself fortunate indeed. Tell me, is
he much hurt?" designating with a
nod the spot where Conrad lay, and
pretending not to see her outstretched
hand. since he could not very well ac-
cept 1t. considering the condition Of
his digits.
Through the shoulder, mynheer:
but the doctor tells us with good nurs-
ing he will come through" she re-
piled, appearing somewhat shocked at
his evident disinclination to meet her
friendly advances. But you are
wounded, mynheer."
WHO said so?" he asked. as II an
noyed.
They told me over there. 1t Is nee
essary for the doctor to remain yet
awhile. so he sent me to YOU"
"Ah! 1t Is next to nothing"
Still / insist on seeing It,"
He could no longer refuse.
One of the lei brought water, and
having bathed the stricken member
sne stopped the flow Of blood accord
ing to the latest methods men known
to the medical fraternity.
WAS this fight Of your seeking,
mynheer?"
II assure you. not was forced
upon ne. I was brought up from my
prison cell to meet him and give him
the satisfaction he has long craved."
At this moment one of the soldiers
came up. carrying the doctors bag,
and quickly followed by the English
man.
How eagerly he bounced upon Paul's
good right hand and squeezed 1t most
heartily!
"Hoch, hoch, hoch, the American"
he said, in imitation Of the hoarse
cries that had signaled Paul's triumph
IN that former occasion when he me
Conrad In the Hirschgasse Inn and won
the everlasting regard Of the students
by defeating the hero OF nifty duels.
Glad to see you, doctor!" said Paul.
And I'm delighted. You make me
feel proud OF my cousins across the
big pond. BY Jove! but you soaked II
to him hard! An inch lower down
and the air would have whistled
through his lung on this chill October
morning. But. my dear boy, l must
insist on you putting on your coat to
avoid taking cold. Abr my good nurse
has done her work well, l SEE. She
Is a treasured"
"You are right, Sir Noel" echoed
the wounded man. enjoying the look
OF embarrassment that made her face
turn as red as a peony.
Then you have met her before,
Rhinelander?" as Hildegarde moved
toward the other groups.
'Whats the us OF denying It, Sir
NOEL love that girl with all my
heart and soul. She Is the sweetest
being on earth to me; the dearest In
ten thousand; the one altogether love-
ly!"
That's the way to talk, and I'm in
clined to believe it's all right. too"
said the doctor encouragingly.
Perhaps It will come o. all right,
Sir Noel. I hope so. at least. And
now l wonder what they will do with
mean I to go back to my dungeon?"
II shall see to that-you are wound
ed and should be in the hospital.
can fix 1t so you may walk the streets
OF Metz. The end Is almost ut hand,
at any rate, for surrender is In the air.
Come with me-"
SO the singular event was ever.
Perhaps the like had never been
known before in the annals of warfare.
Paul endeavored to survey 1t In n
calm manner, devoid OF passion, and
was Of the opinion that he had come