The Holly chieftain., 1902-06-20

tsmperamsnt could not account for .
young fellow With . sweethslft re-
signing himself to death 70 calmly.
+ There must be something back OF II.
Perhaps he was watching his chance.
and when, the old major and his
guards were caught mapping he meant
to suddenly Ialvanize into life. make
one mad spriag through the door
which Paul's mother had left open
and, taking his chances with pursuing
bullets, attempt to escape
At best 1t was hazardous game.
with the odds three TO one against
him. II ..
Z And yet, what Of that-were not
they ten to one he would be hung or
shot II he remained!
80 Paul was ready to see him MT
past. into the blackness beyond the
door, and felt even In condition to
give him his blessing and good wishes.
There was something about Karl's
coolness. that warmed the cookies o:
his heart and gave him renewed con-
ldence for the young German soldier
had the confident appearance Of
man who possessed faith.
At least there was not an atom OF
that quality called fear about his COM
position.
So Paul devoted himself the task.
which was one of the strangest In his
whole adventurous career, Of spell
binding the enemy.
Seconds counted, and as to min
ute. it was precious beyond words.
Perhaps the major might be little
more amenable to reason now that he
had things in his own hands.
The speil-hinding began.
Paul crushed down his bona flde
feelings and bent his energies toward
cajoling the man who held their des-
tiny in the hollow of his hand.
To hear him talk one might have
been pardoned for entertaining a
grave suspicion that his ancestry. in
stead of dating back to old Holland or
some Dutch country extended to the
famous region of Blarney Castle.
For truly Rhinelander did himself
proud upon this occasion. when the in
centive that spurred him on was life
itself.
So rapidly he talked that the major
was not able to get word in edge
wise.
Several times he half raised the arm
holding that sword Of authority. as
though he would fain give the signal
for a closing in on all sides.
But the major was Frenchman.
with all the courtesy that distinguish
ed his countrymen from the barbarian
outer world, and on his life he could
not treat soldier and gentleman
with so great disrespect as to break
in upon the thread of his discourse
with an order for his arrest.
So he waited.
Delays are often dangerous, and II
this case the old aphorism seemed
peculiarly suggestive.
For delay was what Paul desired
the hope of 1t oiled his tongue. and
gave him an eloquence he had neve'
before known he possessed.
The wretch who stands with the
moose about his neck. scanning tht
horizon to see some cloud OF dust that
might betoken the advent Of some
courier bearing reprieve. would ap.
preciate the feelings of Paul Rhine.
lander as he endeavored to so hold tn.
fat major by the power Of his elo.
quence that the soldier would delay
giving his signal until the hoped fol
arrival Of newcomers on the scene ol
| action.
At first Countess Aimee listened te
his fiow Of ofcompliments with astonish'
ment, since she had never suspected
the young American capable Of such Z
remarkable effort.
Gradually, as she noted the soporins
effect Of his harangue upon the major
she began to feel some apprehension
les. her end might be defeated ate:
all.
She frowned and stamped her little
/ foot, whereat the major started and
| glanced hastily toward her.
| Then ensued pantomime between
the two, he struggling his shoulder
as though asserting his unwillingnesa
| to act while Paul kept up this now o.
eloQuence, while the woman pointed
to the American nodded her head
vehemently and again stamped hel
foot in q temper.
Paul saw 1t all but he did not lei
a little thing like this disturb him.
He talked on, even faster than be