Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-05-02
CHAPTER XII.
Trines Light as Air.


Paul did not see this agitation. Paul,
whose eyes were bent upon the floor
in his own confusion. for he was pass
ing through serious and embarrass-
ing situation, and could not look Hill
degarde in the face while telling her of
the plot the countess had conceived of
bringing both Hildegarde and himself
under the suspicion of the military au-
thorities.
She looked at him as he stood there
with his head bowed before her, and
perhaps there was something more
than mere pity in her eyes.
she must be remarkable woman"
Her equal does not exist in the
present age. 1t is marvellous the power
she has over men, not merely brainless
fops, but the shrewd statesmen Of to-
day"
Perhaps Bismarck fears her"
Il have no doubt he will be glad of
a chance to place her behind strong
walls, but doubt his ability to accom-
plish such thing. And how can l
thank you for your kind assurance of
continued friendship, even while the
surrounding conditions are SO gloomy"
Pray, do not try" she said, to hide
her confusion.
1t was joy to know that he had spok-
en- in frank way-that he seemed
very. anxious to take all the blame, and
in so doing made himself appear more
manly in her eyes.
Besides the possibility of the hand
some American being in love with her
gave Hildegarde positive JOY.
Then from Paradise she dropped
back to earth.
(Which way must go to find No.
70 in this same strasse?" asked Paul.
He wondered why Hildegarde re-
garded him with so cold look, but
she answered his question. But it
CHANGED that Hildegarde had that very
morning seen lady entering No. 70, of
the strasse. and recognized the pretty
woman to whom Rhinelander had
seemed SO devoted at the concert gar
den. H. -. .
Pauls interview with his sister was
p-otracted. ...5
He accomplished all he intended.
Beatrix had a thousand questions to
ask, so it seemed. but when she finish
ed there was nothing in connection
with the sorrowful event of the dead
past left untold.
She wept bitter tears upon. Paul's
shoulder, and it was his comforting
embrace that assured her the world
was not all hollow, even though she
had learned this terrible truth about
the mother.in whom she had up to this
time believed.
1t was after Paul had left the house
that he remembered one thing-he had
failed to tell her the name of the man
whose action had brought such dis
grace and ignominy upon their family.
She would not know, unless he sent
word, that the one she believed to be
her cousin, Conrad Hoffman, was the
son Of that same man.
The thought made his blood boil
be feared lest in some way this scion
Of an infamous traitor. should in his
turn bring additional sorrow upon the
house of Rhinelander.
3. Somehow the memory of Karl COM
forted him-the leader OF the Rhine
korps was already an object of deepest
interest to Beatrix, and in that grow
ing love Paul believed he could see the
strongest possible fertilization against
all harm. .s5, ~
He remembered his promise to Hill
,dsgarde. and was DESTROYS % keeping
IitB Without delay. The school must -
sgivsn ND other duties seemed to call
~ ~ llelds N n,ors ACTIVITY. ~
Ss ~ Paul beSan ~ prspars a leave
: 49, ~, ~ nigAt 49, III
l3nte4 4 - \ NJ ts6aa r. 0 VI Det1od
oG1l jan1 III III Esl ~ q y