Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-04-19

UcII Sdlu NJ. reTTduu 10 Ile DpWll-
dered woman. Herman Stuler: Karl
Breitmann. who was the great-grand-
son of Napoleon, died of gunshOt in
Africa. If you will always remember
that, why even Paris will be possible
some day."
Hildegarde was beginning to under
stand. She was coming to bless this
little man.
VI do not believe that the money
under the bed is safe there. shall,
If you wish. make arrangements with
the local agents Of the Credit Lyonnais
to take over the sum without question
and to issue you two drafts. one on
London and the other on New York,
or in two letters Of credit Two mil
lions! 1t is a big sum to let repose
under ones bed anywhere. let alone
Corsica, where the amount might pur.
. chase half the island"
Il am, then. rich man; no more
crusades. no more stale bread and
cheap tobacco, no more turning nv
Guns and collars and clipping the fray
ed edges Of my trousers. | am fortu.
nate There is a joke too. Picard
and bis friends advanced me 5000
francs for the enterprise"
Il marvel where they got it"
II am sorry that was rough with
you"
y bear you not the slightest III will.
never have. Herman Stuler; must
remember to have them make out the
drafts in that name"
BreitmanD appeared to be sleeping
again. After waiting a moment or
two his guardian angel tiptoed out.
An hour went by.
~Hildegarde. have you any money!
Enough for my needs"
"Will you take half Of it%'
"Karlr
"Will youY'
mo"
he accepted this as final. and imme-
diately his gaze became fixed on the
bay. A sleek white ship was putting
out to sea.
'They are leaving. Karl" she said.
and the courage in her eyes beat down
the pain In her heart.
'Tn my coat inside. Bring them to
me-" AS he coGld move only his right
arm. and that but painfully. he babe
her open each paper and hold it SO
that he could read plainly. The
scrawl of the great captain, a deed
and title, some dust dropping from the
worn fOlds-hOw he strained his eyes
upon them. He could not help the
swift intake Of air. and the stab which
pierced his shoulder made him faint.
She began to refOld them. NO." he
whispered. "Tear them up; tear them
upp
"Why, Karlr'
"Tear them up. now, at once. l
shall never look at them again. Do
It What does it matter? ! am only
Herman Stuler Now"
With shaking fingers she ripped the
tattered sheets. and the tears ran over
and down her cheeks.
Nov. toss them into the crate and
light a match"
And when he saw the reflected glare
on the opposite wall he sank deeper
into the pillow. The woman was open
ly sobbing. She came back to his side,
knelt and laid her lips upon his hand.
There was now only a dim white Speck
on the horizon. and with that strange
sea magic the hull suddenly dipped
down, and naught but a trail of smoke
remained. Then this, too, vanished.
Breitmann withdrew his hand. but he
laid it upon her head
81 am broken man. Hildegarde, and
In my madness ! have been something
Of rascal. But for all that had big
dreams, but thus they go, the one in
flames and the other out to sea-" He
strOked her hair xviii you take what
Is left? Will you share with me the
outlaw, be the wife of a disappointed
outcast? Will your
would | not follow you to any
land? Would not share with you any
miseries? Have you ever doubted the
strength Of my lOve?"
Knowing that there was another?"
Knowing even that"
ut is who am little and you who
are great. Hildegarde, we'll have our
friend Ferraud seek a priest this after
noon and square accounts"
Her head dropped to the coverlet.
After that there was no sound ex.
cept the crisp metallic rattle Of the
palms In the freShening breeze.