Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-15
The Daily Story
LUDWIG KEISEWETTER-BYF A. mitchell.
Copyrighted. 1918. Associated Literary
Copyrighted 1918. by Associated Literar.

though not expecting, that some good
would result from his journey.
When Ludwig left home it was ex-
pccted that he would remain under
Professor CobleSteiner's care for a
week or two. But at the end of that
time the professor wrote Frau keise-
wetter that he had found in her son
very peculiar patient. one especially
susceptible to his influence. and he
hoped that by hypnotizinS him fire.
Quently for several months to break
the lugubrious spell that rested upon
him.
At the end of four months the widow
received n letter from the professor
stating that he had ceased to put her
son under hypnotic influence. The
young man had not yet reiapsed into
his former condition. but the professor
could not tell how long this present
one would last. He was sending Lud-
wig home to remain there while wait
ing developments.
Frau KeiSewetter was so filed with
hope and enthusiasm that she told all
her friends that her son was coming
home cured The news Travelled. and
before Ludwig left Cologne II had
reached even TO that city. The young
man had not ridden half an hour be
fore he passed the house of Gretchen
.Hallub who was watching for him.
She went out into the road TO con-
graduate him. He greeted her with
smile that she considered the most
beautiful she had ever seen in mans
face. Clasping her hands in hesitancy,
she said:
"Oh, Ludwig, how changed you are"'
"Ha, haw gently laughed Ludwig.
but he did not stop, and Gretchen
walked along beside him. talking to
him, he looking down upon her with
that heavenly smile and an occasional
soft "Ha, haw Then another girl ran
out Of house and added her congratu-
lations to those of the first, taking the
other side of his horse from Gretchen.
So Ludwig was kept turning his head
from one side to the other. smiling at
each alternately, while now and then
a musical 'Hn. ha" came from him
like the soft piping Of a bird.
AS Ludwig proceeded one after an.
other the girls whol had watched him
from behind blinds on his outward
journey came forth TO congratulate
him, and it seemed as If the hypnotic
spell that had been thrown upon him
by professor Coblesteiner was cOmmu-
nicating itself to each and every girl,
for all the girls followed him. and none
Of them seemed to have the power to
turn back to her home But an old
curmudgeon who lived on the road and
saw the procession of girls led by Lud-
wig took his pipe out Of his mouth long
enough to grunt and say:
"Look at those girls! When the man
went to Cologne none Of them wanted
him. Now they all want him, and no
one will give way to the Others"
Frau Kelsewetter was informed of
the hour her son would arrive and went
out before her house to welcome him.
| Lena Stieber had always been her
| choice for her sons wife, and she ask
! ed Lena to be with her when he came.
So Lena was there waiting with the
| widow
Presently they heard babel of sweet
voices, above which sounded an occa'
sional merry "Ha, har' and, looking up.
saw Ludwig ambling along on his
horse surrounded by every girl who
lived between the vineyard and Co.
logne Strange to say. there was not
that pickering which might have been
expected from so many girls who
wanted the same man. 1t was held in
check by the beautiful smile he gave
each one of them, causing her to be-
lieve that she was the best beloved
Of all.
When Lena saw this procession she
turned on her heel and went into the
house. Ludwig, coming up to the house,
| dismounted and, taking his mother in
his arms, kissed her, then asked for
Lena. She came out looking like a
thunder cloud. This at once broke
the spell of Ludwig's charming good
nature, and every girl was clamorinG
at every other girl. upbraidlng her as
bold and shameless, declaring that she,
and she alone. was the first. the origi-
nal one whom Frau Keisewetter had
asked to marry her son.
The. widow drew the young man Int
the house with Lena and slammed the
door in the faces of the others.
what shall / do?" asked Ludwig
wringing his hands.
~ will tell you what TO do" sait
Lena decidedly. go back TO PROBES
sor Coblesteiner and bid him remove
the hypnotic spell and make You agar
what you were. Do this and I vii
marry you."
. So Ludwig, when 1t was dark. stol,
out of the house and returned secret,
to Cologne. In few days he cam,
; back again to his home and married
} Lena Stieber. His disposition wa
: much improved by marrIage-that Is
, after some years. when he and hi
wife had got used to each other. II
, has never forgotten having been fol
, lowed by so many girls and even t
this day clings to his wife in the pres
, ence OF other women for protection
/ He says that he prefers that all VIC
J men. except his wife. should hirte hir
! &lnN eli