The Holly chieftain., 1902-06-27

came aware for the first time Of Hide
garde's presence.
The sight sent the hot blood leaping
in bounds through her. veins-nothing
must be allowed to stand In the way
now-the presence OF this German
beauty who had won what she had
sued in vain to possess, was Fremont
tion Of coming disaster, unless she
could push the major into the breach.
Meanwhile Paul confided to the Eng
lishman his suspicious as to the fate
he supposed had been mapped out for
him while on the way to prison.
Once Sir Noel grasped the idea the
danger was far less threatening than
before. for he could possibly invent
some way OF defeating the evil designs
of the plotters. &
Hildegarde now knew all. f
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 Beatrix, looking
SO lovely, with the startled look upon
her face, the tears of distress In her
beautiful eyes. Hildegarde almost
wished she had been more discreet and
remained at her duties in the hospital,
for it 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 rival little
beauty at the time the soldiers came.
This bold American had won her
love-in her mAidenly 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 met-as she
bound up his wounds after the duel
with Conrad she had been thrilled
when their hands chanced to come in
contact, and ever since then . delicious
hope had found Judgment in her heart
that they might be nearer and dearer
than friends. .5
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, End WIS primed up
for the boiling point.
When he left the countess and turn
ed upon the others who formed part
of the dramatic personae connected
with thiss closing scene in the play,
Rhinelander knew they must look out
for squalls. for the major was CALLED to
action and meant to enter upon the
warpath. Ffs
Paul saw this and nerved himself for
the encounter. -
The bombastfc major. having wheel
ed with military precision. bore down
upon Paul. who awaited his approach,
supported by the doctor.
1t was moment of considerable sus-
pense.
Much would depend upon what the
major was about to say. and hence
Paul eagerly awaited for him to speak,
hoping to discover peg upon which
to hang their expectations.
It was to Sir Noel he addressed him
self G,
Monsieur. already the execution Of
my duty has been delayed too long.
Whatever protest you may desire to
make, it must be presented to the
higher ohicials. 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 tact that q
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 . bully, who
would hustle his prisoners away with
all haste
Through his own pride Of manner
and speech the Frenchman might be
unhorsed In the Joist--men as gallant
as he have many times gone down be-
fore the rude plunge Of adyersity.
Monsieur lie major" said the Eng
lishman slowly, II would not wish to
interfere with your duty as soldier.
l have every respect for your army
and for you individually. But this
man is my friend. am his sponsor
before the commandant, and you a 4
gentleman would not blame me II l
endeavored to the best of my ability to