The Lamar register., 1902-06-04
CHAPTER XIX.


Never to his dying day would Paul
forget the strange admixture of emo
tions that well-nigh overwhelmed him
as. leaning against the cold wall of 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 u faint
smile.
"It is remarkable, and I consider
myself fortunate indeed. Tell me. is
he much hurt?" designating with
nod the spot where Conrad lay. and
pretending not to see her outstretched
hand. since he could not very well ac-
cept it, 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 SOP" 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, it is next to nothing"
Still l insist on seeing it."
He could no longer refuse.
One of the men brought water, and
h,, hot ha of
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?"
Il assure you. not was forced
upon me. / was brought up from my
prison cell to meet him and give him
the satisfaction he mas 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 pounced 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
on that former occasion when he met
Conrad in the Hirschgasse Inn and won
the everlasting regard of the students
by defeating the hero of htty 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 1t
to him hard! An inch lower down
and the air would have whistled
through his lung on this chill October
morning But, my dear Doy. l must
insist on you putting on your coat to
avoid taking cold. All! 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 peony.
Then you have met her before,
Rhinelander?" as Hildegarde moved
toward the other groups.
What's the use of denying 1t, 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!"
II nat S tne way 10 talR, ana m IN
clined to believe it's all right, too,"
said the doctor en- :ouragingly.
perhaps it will come out all right. |
Sir Noel. I hope SO. at least. And
now l wonder what they will do with |
mean l to go back to my dungeon?"
Il shall see to that-you are wound
cd and should be in the hospital ] |
can fix it so you may walk the streets
Of Metz. The end is almost ut hand.
1T any rate. for surrender Is in the air. |
Come with me-"
So the singular event was over
Perhaps the like haa never been
known before in the annals of warfare. |
Paul endeavored to survey it in
calm manner. devoid of passion. and |
was of the opinion that he had come