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

and the German officer were left, with
the lifeless figure lying face doWnwards
between them. and the first shadows OF
night stealing out Of the waste toward
them.
1t was Bridges who spoke first.
IF this is not stopped every man but
you and the Herr Hauptmann and l will
shoot himself" he began.
Won Zickermann nodded sullen1y.
You are responsible for the men
under you. Herr Major?" the settler
went on.
The officer nodded again.
You know that I. and l alone. know
enough of the country to have chance
Of getting back 70 the base
Yes" and the one word wedged itself
with a hiss from between Won flicker
manns clenched teeth.
You know that il I summoned the
men and sai1 that you would not let me
go, they wol ID defy you and your
authority"
the German officer
ITO this" relorted Frank Bridges. TAX
ing no notice of the contempt in the
others voice. on the others face TO
you; that the force will obey me- not
you: that it is for me to speak. and for
you to acquiesce or be silent
The big man leaned forward.
You want to make terms?" he cried
scornfully You want to make condi-
tions?"
Yes" returned the settler. II do want
to make conditions, and you cannot refuse
them"
state your terms" answered Helmuth
Won Zickermann, as he drew himself up.
as he folded his arms across his broad
chest.
They are these" answered Bridges:
That you set out tonight with me as
soon as 1t is dark: that when you have
ridden side by side with me for one hour.
you pull up. 1 will ride on. I leave you
to make your way to the base or to re-
turn to this laager-if you can. But
leave you, alone, unarmed without even
SO much as compass
The German heard. A greyness sud-
denly showed between the red -biisters
on his cheeks.
TT would mean certain death-a lin
gering death of thirst. OF starvation un-
less" he choked. he could not proven.
it-"unless," ne resumed. the niggers
came across me-"
Bridges acquiesced with movement OF
his head.
The great man took out his revolver
held II out.
Shoot me down; will that not satisfy
you?" he asked.
The settler pushed the weapon away
DO you want 10 join him. he asked
ana he referred to the dead man al
their feet
The two waited facing each other
Already the greyness was over the sky,
over the waste.
Man" gasped Won Zickermann. have
you no mercy?
Bridges shook his head.
Why. ne flashed out. torrent OF
pent up passion finding expression in
hese words, should 1 have mercy on
you, Helmuth Won Zickermann?"
The cry. The voice. the use Of the first
name, arrested the soldier.
What do you mean" he demanded
and then as he looked again ne sudden
ly changed the form of his question
Who are your he cried out
The bearded Colonial smiled very
slo wly.
is It so long ago he demanded
that you have forgotten Bonn the
garrison there. your friend Franz Zwei-
bruckeny'
The Major started. In this God-ror.
saken spot, with the ocean rolling be.
tween him and the lovely town by the
Rhine. where two years OF his young
manhood had been spent. retribution had
come up with him He heard agaia-he
had heard Il SO often for years-Franz
saving TO him that he loved Pauline;
ma. Pauline loved him They were
brother subalterns. he and Franz Both
Of them knew that there was no chance