The Leon reporter., 1902-04-03
SOLDIER OF The RHINE.
BY ST. GEORGE RATHBoRNE
Copyright, by sTRYEr 4 SMITH New York


the months passed This purpose was
to visit Germany and to seek my sister
II she were yet living.
| Il would not confess then, but
know now, there was another motive
that urged me on-and this, revenge!
"Often in secret had cursed the
author Of our shame, and registered a
VOW to some day pay him or his back
for every hour of agony my poor
father suffered through his duplicity.
I'VE knew they had gone to Ger
many, and 1t was the vague hope of
meeting this treacherous friend that
really lured me here. That in nut
shell is the skeleton story of my life.
"It is wonderful" said Karl; "but
| you did not make any effort to speak
to herr"
THAT time is not yet ripe. must
learn more about her, more about her
mother, and what relations she bears
to that mani"
"But-Hoiffman-I do not under
stand"
He Is his son-the man was wild
over when he stabbed my father in
the back. have his picture, hand
some devil he was, surely, ana the
boy promises to be the same unless
some steady and cunning hand man
ages to mar his looks"
His manner as he said this was
almost ferocious-the wrongs of years
had burned in his heart until the seat
of life had become like young Vesu-
vius.
And Karl Won Stettin understood
the eagerness that was in his SOUL
What is it you would know of Bea-
trix?" he asked, presently.
Tell me everything, as l am In
complete ignorance"
'"That is little enough. She lives
with the lady you saw, her aunt, she
calls her, and known to US as hand
some Waldeck."
"And her name-Beatrix what?"
"Stannard."
"1t was my mother'ss maiden name.
Tell me, do yon know aIght df her
have you ever heard Beatrix mention
her?"
"once she said her mother was
dead"
A spasm passed over Paul's face
that was all.
God forgive her, as l do. But as
to him-the traitorous hound, may he
be rewarded through his son, whose
actions shall sting his pride sharper
than serpent's TOOTH
"You are determined to fight him,
in spite of the fact that he is the bully
of the university. devil with the
sword who has never yet been
beaten?" asked Karl, eagerly.
"At the very first opportunity, "
calmly, as he looked around as though
in search of the offender.
Speak of the devil!" said Karl.
"Yonder he comes now, and heading
straight this way. By my soul, there
is blood in his eye, too. never saw
Hoffman look SO savage"
That is good-it makes it easier %
muttered Paul grimly, with the air of
a man who sees all things within his
grasp.
Straight up to the table at which
the friends sat came the Saxo-Prus-
sian, scowling like dragoon
"One Of you ours presumed to insult
lady in my company-which one
was it, demand satisfaction" he
clustered.
Paul looked him calmly in the eye.
,GIi,3 ha Jodx, nj in l,o o.1rat1
quietly.
Not at all; but l have eyes, and
could see she was deeply disturbed
by some gesture imagine your COM
panion, who is insanely jealous of me,
| made"
you are mistaken, Herr Hoffman.
Neither of us made the slightest ges-
ture. But I see you are spelling for
trouble. In my country we are al
ways ready to oblige, and shall in
sist on your crossing swords with me-"
1T is my right and privilege"
growled Karl.
Il shall be most happy to oblige
you both at the accustomed place at
four in the morning; but it must be
toss up who comes first" he said,
showing his white teeth.
"That privilege lie mine," said Paul,
and when his companion started to
raise protest no added: "And I
shall clinch matters thus" saying
which he slapped the gloves he car
ried directly in Hoffman's face.
"Prosit," growled that individual,
reddening with the insult; you shall
have the first bout, young America,
and heaven help you," with which he
swung on his heel and strode away,
followed by disdainful laugh that
must have stung him to the quick.
CHAPTER III.