Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-07-04
CHAPTER XIII.



nounced his decision it created some
thing OF an excitement.
Hildegarde's face lost its pallor, and
Paul smiled grimly, at the same time
be kept an eye on Aimee.
Just as he expected, the baffled
countess aimed to carry out desper-
ate plan.
1T is lie, base forgery, trick
to deceive fools; but it cannot hood
wink me. What is this you say-that
the man shall 60 free, he, caught red
handed in the act, spy, hated Ger
man spy, fit only for the halter? And
you dare to say that, you who swore
on Bonded knees that my word should
be law"
The poor major, victim Of cross
purposes, could only shrug his Shout
ders.
There is a previous oath, ma'mselle,
my vow to my country to obey my
superiors. That is above life to me,
since my honored name is involved.
Even for you l dare not order my
men to arrest one who is under the
protection of such sacred document,
written by Marshal Bazaine him
SELF"
The countess, apparently cheated
out of her prey, and deserted by an
ally whom she had believed could be
depended upon through thick and
thin, looked about her sullenly. Des-
peration had made her temporarily
mad, and she would risk even her own
destruction in order to gain revenge.
From figure to figure this glance
went-and then he saw a fierce joy
flash over her face.
1t was as though she had discov-
cred that all was not yet quite lost.
All! it was Karl!
Remembering as he did that the
other had candidly confessed he was
in Metz as secret agent Of the Ger
man forces, no wonder Paul felt a
sudden fall of his spirits when he
recollected that the magic document
of his British friend would not cover
two companions, and that the dread
full fate of death at the hands Of the
mob, from which he had just escaped
by mere scratch, would probably be
the doom Of his friend and brother
poor Karl.
Still keeping her eyes glued upoI
Karl, the countess once more ad'
dressed the major, resolved to test the
last remainder of her power over thai
worthy.
"One has escaped us, you say, but
do not forget, my friend, there are
two. Yonder man, his comrade, II
the spy we seek. You pirate of your
sacred duty as a soldier-let us sex
some of it now-arrest that man ant
search him for positive evidence o.
his guilt"
The major woke up. He was once
more the warrior bold, eager to faith
fully serve the woman he adored.
Heaven help the poor devil upor
whom his concentrated wrath now
fell, for, having been held in the leash
so long the fighting major was apt tc
be exceedingly ferocious.
However, ii the bellicose soldier an.
ticipated any quailing on the part Of
Karl Won Stettin, he made the most
grievous mistake Of his life.
The young Heidelberg philosopher
even smiled as brightly as one coul6
wish.
In fact, he even appeared pleased te
have all eyes concentrated in his di
section.
This was not braggadocio.
What could it mean?
Beatrix crept up beside Karl, ant
caught hold of his arm.
Her action could not be mistaken
it meant as plainly as those words Of
old which Ruth spoke to Naomi:
WHITTIER thou goest I shall go, thy
country shall be my country, thy Goo
God my Cod
Karl put an arm around the CIR
and strained her to his heart.
And into Hildegarde's cheeks, hith.
erto as white as marble, the color
surged, as the light of a great revela.
ton began to force its way.
Paul, then, was not lost-he had not
been unfaithful-he was all her most
fervid fancy had ever painted him
and deep down in her heart she knew
he loved her.
No wonder, then, she glowed with
sudden hope and the world took on a
new brightness-after all. it is GU,
condition of mind that makes or mars
the scene. To the happy soul even a
dreary day of rain affords seasons oil
rejoicing.
Thus one good thing had come about
through this concentration of atten.
ton upon Karl.
Utterly helpless himself, in so fal
as assisting his comrade was con-
cerned. Paul could only turn to watch
the progress of events, praying that
Sir Noel could see the way to lend g
hand, or that Karl himself might
have a card concealed up his sleeve
that would sweep the board.
"Your name?" demanded the major
gru1lly, as he frowned upon the smil-
ing young student-soldier, who stood
with one arm thrown reassuringly
around the girl.
Karl Won Stettin," came the
prompt reply.
Native of Germany?'
1T is true.'
"You belong to the army of the
Crown Prince?"
YES"
"Have you been a prisoner on pa
role the same as this gentleman"