The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-06-27

all the dignity | dared. nau kept
Scharfenstein's name back as a sur
prise.
Elis---for whom 1 had the passports
Immediately struck me as being so
nearly like Max that they might easily
have been brothers Ellis was slight
him his papers and examined his tick
cts All was well; barring accidents,
he would be in Dresden the next day.
you go through Doppelkinn, thenW
said l.
Yes. | have friends in Dresden
whom | wish to see before going
home"
We'll, good luck to you!"
Then | announced that Max Schar-
fenstein, an old college comrade. would
join us presently. This was greeted
with hurrahs At that time there
wasn't an American student who did
not recollect Max's great run from the
ten-yard line. CBut where the deuce
was Mako | took little flag from
my pocket and stuck it into the vase
of poppies, and the boys clapped their
hands. You never realize how beautl-
full your flag is till you see it in for
eign land. ] apologized for MaX's alb
sence, explaining the cause, and or
dered dinner to be served. We hadn't
much time, as Ellis train departed at
ten 1t was now quarter of nine.
We had come to the relishes when
q party of four officers took the table
nearest us. They hung up their sabers
on the wall-pegs, and sat down, order
ing a bottle of light wine. Usually
there were five chairs to the table, but
even if only two were being used no
one had the right to withdraw one Of
the vacant chairs without the most
elaborate apologies. This is the law OF
courtesy in Barscheit. In America 1t
is different; if you see anything you
want, take it.
Presently one of the ofticers-l knew
none of them save by sight-rose and
approached He touched the flag in
solently and inquired what right it had
in a public restaurant in Barscheit.
Ordinarily his question would not have
been put without some justification.
But he knew very well who was and
what my rights We're in this instance.
Herr Lieutenant" said l coldly,
though my cheeks were warm enough,
II represent that flag in this country,
and | am accredited with certain priv
leges, as doubtless you are aware.
You will do me the courtesy of return
ing to your own table" | bowed.
He glared at me for a brief period,
then turned on his heel. This was the
first act in the play. At the fellows
table sat Lieut. Won Storer, Doppel-
kinn's nephew and heir-presumptiye.
He was, to speak plainly, rake, a
spendthrift and wholly untrustworthy.
He was not Unlocking, however
My spirits f1oated between anger
and the fear that the officers might
ruin the dinner-which they eventual
ly did.
Things went on smoothly for time.
The orchestra was pom-pomming the
popular airs from Faust" (Where
the deuce was that tow-headed Dutch
manO Laughter rose and fell; the
clinkle of glass was heard; voices
called. And then Max came in look
ing as cool as you please, though l
could read by his heaving chest that
he had been sprinting up back streets
The boys crowded around him, and
there was much ado over the laggard.
Unfortunately the waiter had forgot
ten to bring chair for his plate With
genial smile on his face, Max inpo-
Gently stepped over TO the officers
table and plucked forth the vacant
chair For a wonder the officers APP
peared to give this action no heed,
and | was secretly gratified. 1t was
something to be a consul, after all.
But | counted my chickens too early
Where are the cigars?" asked as
Max sat down complacently.
Cigars s?"-blankly. Hang me, I've
clean forgotten theml" And then OBJ
livious OF the probable storm that was
at that moment gathering for down.
pour over his luckless head, he told US
the reason of his delay.
There was a crowd around the pal
ace" he began. 1T seems that the
Princess Hildegarde has run away, and
they believe that she has ridden to-
ward the Pass in closed carriage,
The police are at this very moment
securing the country in that direction.
She has eloped.
"Eloped?" we all cried, being more
or less familiar with the state of afs
fairs at the palace,
"Goodby to Doppelkinn's frau!"
Good girl"
She has been missing since seven
o'clock, when she drove away ON the
pretense of visiting her fathers old
steward, who is ill,' went on Max feel.
ing the importance of his news They
traced her there, From the stewards 8
the carriage was driven south, and
that's the last seen of her. There
won't be any wedding at the cathedral
next Tuesday, laughing
Queries and answers We're going
crisscross over the table, when | OBJ
served with dread that Lieut., Won
Storer had risen and was coming our
way He stopped at MaX's side Max
looked up to receive Won Storer's
glove full on the cheek 1t was no gen
tie stroke. Won Storer at once re.
turned TO his table and sat down.
For a moment we We're all absolute
ly without power of motion or Of
speech, Max's face grew as white as
the table-cloth. and the print of the
glove glowed red against the white.
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