The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-04
RETRIBUTION By Nj

of Franz obtaining his Coloners permits
sion to make Pauline his Wife. for she was
very poor, and every officers VIE must
bring him a certain dot" Moreover. she
was not his equal in position. Both men
knew that il Franz married her 1t "ould
entail expulsion for him from his regi-
ment from his family.
"Nevertheless.' Won Zickermann had
questioned. for he heard the determina-
ton in the voice speaking to him.
Nevertheless" echoed his comrade. MS
friend, Il mean to marry Pauline. You
will keep my secret. mein Jungling?"
Won Zickermann had promised. and
even as he promised he knew that he
meant to break his word. He loved
Pauline himself.
The very next morning the Colonei
called up Zwei-brucken, informed MIN
that the regiment could not be disgraced
by mesalliance. that he must give up
Pauline resign his commission. Inc
lad resigned on the spot. his Family as
owned him. he disappeared; but the
treachery did nothing to profit the man
who had betrayed him. Pauline disap-
peared also, and though Won Atcker-
mann sought her. he never learned what
had become OF her.
AS this came back to Helmuth Won
Zickermann. he turned suddenly to the
man beside him.
who are your" he cried out.
II was Franz Zwei-brucken." came the
quick answer.
The big man heard, understood. Ven
geance had sought him out had come
up with him. He acknowledged the JUS
tice Of It. He stood silent, "nl.e the
darkness grew closer and closer. He was
no coward when 1t came to It: ne nao
done wrong. and now that ne hau ~
nav he would not whine and ne "ouio
Il accept your decision he said quiet
", firmly, but on one condition
And that is?' thrust in the settler.
know.
has become OF Pauline.
"She is my wife.
And" went on the major. has she
been happy? Swear to tell me the truth:
has she been happy. man? / have never
forgotten her; have never loved an
other woman as I loved her lei me-
has been happy
Yes" answered the man. who was
once Franz Zwei-brucken. Yes. Pauline
has been very happy"
Then flashed out Won Zickermann.
Il will not leave you an hour after we
set out tonight: I will ride by you until
are within sight of safety. or die fight
ing by you. l wronged Pauline once: /
wronged you. Franz Zwei-brucken. do
not ask your pardon. No words could
make atonement for such an offense as
mine. But / offer you-and Pauline
deeds. 1 will ride by you: viii see you
safe die over you, and them
And them" hoarsely whispered the
man who was listening.
II will turn back into the waste. viii
ride out to die alone. But I shall die as
j never thought to. for I shall nave done
something for Pauline at last"
He ceased: he turned about He had
said all there was to be said.
In five minutes more the full black
ness Of the nigh; would have come and
they would set out.
AS he. HeImuth Won Zickermann.
stood. as he waited, he knew that the
settler had come up to him. was stand
Ing close to him
''Mein Alte." choked the man who
had been grievously wronged. "Mein
Alte. we will go together-it Is true
we will go together; but we will not
part. There shall be no riding back
into the waste for you.
At first Won Zickermann did not
understand.
Pauline would not have US part"
the other went on. DO you under
stand? Pauline would not have US
part Joined your expedition because
you commanded. I waited, because I
knew you would have need OF me. I
tried you just now to prove to Pauline
had become: and now I say. come back