The Red Cloud chief., 1902-04-11

SOIHt way Ol utltdllNB lH' c'h h'oioh"
of the plotters.
%Iiildcgarde now knew all.
She had recognized the disguised
countess with contempt and scorn In
her eyes. and the presence OF the stall
wart soldiers told the rest.
But when she saw BcatriX. looking
so lovely, with the startled look upon
her face, the tears of distress in her
beautiful eyes. Hlldcgarde almost
wished she had been more discreet and
remained at her duties in the hospital.
for Il was absurd to realize that the
mention of Paul's name had acted so
upon her heart as to- bring her In great
haste to this apartment to find that he
had doubtless been enjoying a delight
full tete-a-tete with this fjal little
beauty at the time the soldiers came.
This bold American had won her
love--in her maidonly eyes he was
everything that could be deemed man
ly, and In dreams at least he had told
her the charming things which his eyes
betrayed whenever they mct-as she
UDuI1u up HlS NpulliS ulltl tIt uUtl
with Conrad she had been thrilled
when their hands CHANGED to come in
contact. and ever since then Il delicious
hope had found Judgment In her heart
that they might be nearer and dearcr
than friends.
This was now apparently scuttled
forever, and she must summon the
pride which belonged to her by birth.
in order to conceal the intense misery
the death Of her hopes caused.
Well, the major had received his lit
tie curtain lecture. and was primcd up
for the boiling point.
When he left the countess and turn
ed npon the others who formed part
of the dramatic personae connected
with this closing scene in the play,
for squalls. for the major was CALLED to
action aud meant TO enter upon the
warpath.
Paul saw this and nerved himself for
the encounter.
The bombastiC major, having wheel
ed with military precision. bore down
upon Paul, who awaited his approach,
supported by the doctor.
1t was a mopent Of considerable sus-
pcnsc.
Much would depend upon what the
major was about to say. and hence
Paul eagerly awaited for him to speak,
hoping to discover a peg upon which
to hang their expectations.
1t was 10 Sir Noel he addressed him
| self.
my duty has been delayed too long.
Whatever protest you may desire to
make. II must be presented to the
higher officials. | am sent to make the
arrest, and wish 1t distinctly under
stood that already both OF these gentle
men are prisoners OF war"
Sir Noel recognized the fact that "A
point had been made in the case, but
he was too smart to betray the slight
est uneasiness. since that would be aid
ing the enemy.
At least there was hope. because the
major had not proven a bully, who
would hustle his prisoners away with
all haste.
Through his own pride of manner
and speech the Frenchman might he
endorsed in the joist-men as gallant
as he have many times gone down be.
lore the rude plunge of adversely.
Monsieur le major" said the Eng
lishman slowly, Il would not wish tt
interfere with your duty as a soldier
| have every respect for your arm,
and for you individually. But thi,
man is my friend. | am his sponso,
before the commandant, and you as
gentleman would not blame me II
e%ndeavored to the best of my ability I,
free him from his wholly unwarrante,
detention. You know that he has bee,
placed upon his sacred parole-you ar
not ignorant of the fact that he ha
been given the entire freedom of tn
city. and hence as much right to be 1,
this particular spot as any FrenChmal
among you. desire to make thi
point particularly plain in order tina
whatever happens you may not hav
cause to regret having done the wron
thing"
The major smiled and bowed.
What you say is very true, mon
sieur. but that liberty of which 70
speak expires whenever the person O
parole breaks his given word of homo
? We have abundant reason to believ
this party has done this u~npardonabl
thing of conspiring with certain sp!e
the enemies of our country, to betra
our weakness to the Germans. | re,
g ognize the point your make, m'sieu
but ii does not swerve me one 10,
[ from the course mapped II for m
@ observance. Unless you can produt
= something stronger your friend mui
= return to his cell and stand before Il
drumhead court"
Hildegarde had turned very viii
z at these words, but she did not alt,
y gether lose hope.
- uNk-~ ,,,kn,t on,,. .--.