The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1905-12-22
CONTINUED FROM SECOND PAGE

regiment, and as he bowed to Stein
metz, whom Paul introduced, he swung
off his high astrakhan cap with a -four
ish. showing a fair boyish face.
YES" he continued to Paul in Eng
lish. 1.-THE general sent me over with
a sotnia Of men, and pretty hungry
you will find them. We have covered
the whole distance since daybreak. A
report reached the old gentleman that
the whole countryside was about to
rise against you"
who spread the reportT' asked
Steinmetz.
81 believe It originated down at the
nan and his daughter, a sort Of ped
dler, l think, who took q passage down
the river, but where they heard the ru-
NOR 1 don't know"
Paul and Steinmetz carefully avoided
looking at each other. They knew that
Catrina and Stepan Lanovitch had sent
back assistance.
"Of course" said Paul, IT am very
glad to see you, but l am equally glad
to inform you that you are not wanted
Steinmetz will tell you all about 1t,
and when you are ready for dinner 1t
will be ready for you. 1 will give In
structions that the men be cared for"
Thanks. The funny thing Is that l
am instructed, with your approval, to
put the place under martial law and
take charge"
THAT will not be necessary, thanks"
answered Paul, going out of the open
door to speak to the wild looking Cos
sacks sent for his protection.
While the young officer was chang
ing his uniform for the evening inery
which his servants forethought had
provided, Paul and Steinmetz hurriedly
arranged what story of the evening
should be given to the world. Know
ing the county as they did, they were
enabled to tell a true tale, which was
yet devoid Of that small personal In
terest that gossips love. And all the
world ever knew was that the Princess
Howard Alexis was killed by the re-
VOTED peasants while attempting to
escape by q side door, and that the
Baron Claude de Chauxville, who was
staying in the ne~ighborhood, met his
death in attempting to save her from
the fury Of the mob.
On the recommendation of Karl
Steinmetz, Paul placed the castle and
village under martial law, and there
and then gave the command to the
young Cossack officer, pending further
instructions from his general COM
handing at Tver.
The officer dined with Steinmetz and,
under the careful treatment Of that
diplomatist inaugurated a reign Of mill
ly between strict discipline and boyish
neglect
Before the master Of the situation
had slept OF the effects Of his hundred
mile ride and a heavy dinner, the next
morning Steinmetz and Maggie were
ready to start on their journey to Eng
Land.
The breakfast was served In the
room abutting on the cliff in the dim
light Of a misty morning.
The lamps were alight on the table,
and Paul was waiting when Maggie
came down cloaked for her journey.
Steinmetz had breakfasted.
They said good morning and man
aged to talk Of ordinary things until
Maggie was supplied with coffee and
toast and a somewhat heavy, manly
helping of a breakfast dish. Then
came a silence.
Paul broke it at length with an eff
fort, standing, as 1t were, ON the edge
of the forbidden topic.
"Steinmetz will take you all the
way" he said, land then come back to
me. You can safely trust yourself to
his care"
Eyes," answered the girl, looking at
the food set before her with a helpless
stare. "It is not that. Can 1 safely
trust Etta's memory to your judy
ment2 You are very stern, Paul. 1
think you might easily mtsjudge her.
Men do not always understand a wo-
mans temptations"
Paul ndQ not sat down. he walked
away to the window and stood there
looking out into the gloomy mists.
"It is not because she was my cous-
in" said Maggie from the table. "It
is because she was a oma leaving
her memory to be judged by two men
who are both-hard."
Paul neither looked around nor an
swered.
when a woman has to form her
own life and renders 1t a prominent
one she usually makes a huge mistake
OF it." said the girl.
She waited a moment, and then she
pleaded once more hastily, for she
heard a step approaching.
IF you only understood everything
you might think differently. 1t is be-
you cannot understand"
Then Paul turned around slowly.
NO." he said, 81 cannot understand
it, and 1 do not think that 1 ever
SHALL"