Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-10
DEAD OR ALIVE, HE'D COME.


eyes, and from bis gentle, withered
lips. Strange a his story sounds,
his whole existence vouches for it
He has lived the life OF lonely
man, a recluse almost who never
experienced the tender ministradons
Of a loving wife, nor had ring IN
bis ears the innocent prattle OF little
children, and all because Of an Incl.
dent that cast shadow over bis cary
youth.
My friend was at Heidelberg in the
days when the old German university
was as popular with Americans q
with England and the entire European
continent From the outset Of biz
student life abroad to bis sophomore
days be was intimately acquainted
with a colleague from a little German
town in the Harz mountains, who was
studying law, and whose only desire
was to gain for himself a position
which would make 1t possible for him
to support hts aged mother. In order
to reduce expenses she had come with
him to Heidelberg, and the two were
keeping house together In little cot
tage not far from the university
grounds.
During the Hrst year Of their 80
journ at Heidelberg, Karl Werner, the
young fellow from the Harz, fell In
love with a beautiful German girl, the
daughter Of glovemaker. She was
q Gretchen" beauty, with long blonde
tresses and eyes Of heavenly blue. Tho
attachment between the two young
lovers was most pathetic, especially a.
Karl was poor, and suffering from the
same dread disease that carried away
his NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. He could
not take part in their sports, their
drinking bouts and their frolics, but
once a month he insisted on dancing
the supper dance with his German
sweetheart at the soph0mores' re-
union.
Months went by and Karl grew
neither better nor worse until, when
the winter set In with unusual sever
ity, he was missed from the lecture
room one morning. My white-haired
friend, then a handsome young man
with raven black locks and alluring
dark eyes, Immediately FASTENED to
see him. Karl was III. He had taken
cold, his mother said, and it probably
would be several days before he would
be able to resume his studies.
The two friends talked of the com.
Ing reunion, and Karl regretted that
probably he would not be able to en-
Joy his monthly dance with the girl Of
his choice.
"If l am not able to 60, promise me
that you will dance with her that
night; and afterwards take her to the
little round table In the corner, where
we have been wont to sup together.
Take my place, Godfrey, and be her
escort that night"
Godfrey promised. To cheer up his
friend he made light of the whole
thing, said that he would go further
and endeavor to say to the young lady
all the sweet things she had been In
the habit of hearing from Karl.
"She shall not miss you, old fel-
low" he remarked jOcularly, as he
held out his hand to press Karls slen-
der fingers.
Before the words had died away he
saw that he had made a mistake.
Karrs face grew deathly pale. 'If you
do, I shall stop you, dead or alive he
said, solemnly. Nothing shall ever
come between me and the woman |
love-"
"You can't bear to be teased' re-
piled Godfrey, with a jolly nod, and
he went from the room.
The night of the reunion came. Karl
was not able to 60, and sent word to
Godfrey to take his place with the
little German frauleln.
He danced the supper dance with
her, as he had promised, and then he
led her to the little round table In
the corner for the customary refresh
ments.
1--WE promised Karl to do just as he
would do remarked Godfrey In the
course of their conversation, which re-
verified to the sick man more than once.
"If he were here know he would
have all sorts Of pleasant things to
say to you, and it's about time | began
to compliment you on your beautiful
ball dress, your brilliant"
Godfrey stopped suddenly. He was
deadly pale. Karl, for heavens sake;
you herew he yelled, staring at an
l!lNglHdlt uSulc DVuiuu uio Shhl'
Everybody looked at him in amaze
ment first, and then with apprehen-
sion, for by this time Godfrey was on
his feet, searching the place with his
eyes for his colleague, whom he de-
rlnred he had seen standing behind his
chair, whose hand he had felt drop
heavily on his shoulder In the midst Of
that sentence, the last words Of which
froze to his lips.
at was Karl he declared; CHASTITY
white and with blood all over his white
1ress shirt,
The girl had seen nothing. Nobody
else had seen Karl about the place,
ard Just as some of the college boys
began to think that Geoffrey had i'm
bibed little more freely than he
should, a messenger came into the
room and handed Godfrey a note.
IT was from Karl's mother PLEASE
come immediately" 1t said; my son