The Lamar register., 1902-04-30


interest to Beatrix. and in that grow
ing love Paul believed he could see the
strongest possible fertilization against
all harm.
He remembered his promise to Hill
degarde. and was desirous of keeping
1t 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 night express. the
Dutch cannon ball train of the period.
that would land him in the German
capital in phenomenally short time.
That the influence of the schemer
Countess Aimee would follow him to
Berlin. he never once thought. believ-
ing he would leave her far behind.
That was because he did not know
the willy woman and her astonishing
powers as we'll as he should have done
in order to defeat her clever plans.
Paul had been well watched.
The government spy lowered near,
and there was besides another who
worked in the interest of the countess
great times these two honest
while keeping an eye on the main
chance. as embodied in the American.
Paul ignored them as much as pos
sible-be had quite enough to think
about in the premises.
Should they give him too much trou-
BILE later on perhaps he would take
turn out of them in fashion peculiar
to the wild and woolly West, and after
a way, to weaken their enthusiasm.
Karl was not surprised when he
heard what sudden alteration Paul
Of phlegmatic temperament and dis
posed to take the most extraordinary
things as he found them.
"One 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 a 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
at 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 it 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 1t 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 a 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
has interview with Hildeg1rde.
How plainly it all came before him
he could easily shut his eyes and see
her again as she stood there blushing
in confusion.
He loved to dwell upon this scene.
Somehow, there were features con-
nected with 1t that told him he could
not be an object of Indifference in ner
eyes.
the blot that rested upon his family
name he groaned in secret.
Could She would she forgive-these
bigh-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 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
a pail of mingled doubt and despair
All this while the train was booming
on. crossing broad plains. rafting over
bridges, and stopping occasionally at
towns en- route.
Paul. finding it utterly impossible
for him to sleep. began to amuse him
self by observing his fellow-passen-
gers.
This is always an interesting study
for any one fairly fond of reading hu-
man nature, for nowhere may more
pronounced types be found than in a
second-cIass Continental railway car
riage.