River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-10-16

OF tho last century has been
one of gigantic blunders. We
have reversed the traditions OF
our fathers and all the ills of the mod
ern world are due to them" She
spoke like prophetness; her bosom
heaved and her eyes flashed as the
words poured from her lips. "You
are agreed, Monsieur, that it was
only under the rule of their an
cient kings that the peoples prospered
that democracy, with it's drab equal
ity, has removed all purpose, all poe
try all happiness from life. We have
formed league, then, the League OF
Lost Causes, for the establishment
Of the ancient orders, and our ad
herents are numerous in every coun.
try of Europe. But we need money to
finance our appeal VIII you assist
US, Monsieur Lane? Will you venture
your wealth and offer us your per.
sonal aid? The reward Is danger
such as a man should love, and hard
ship, and perhaps a shameful death;
but there are also other rewards
awaiting one courageous enough to
venture all in such cause"
The heart of Paul Lane leaped in
his breast and his soul went out in
answer to her appeal.
yes, / will venture ALL" he an
swered. And now"
There are certain traditions of chiv.
airy which we believe in and in which
you must believe. We live in diff
ferent ages, you and 1; nevertheless
We mus meet on this common ground
The man who serves our cause must
give everything and ask nothing; he
must obey orders until he has proved
his fitness to serve. You must serve
without question; you must ask moth
ing, not even my name"
Your name!" exclaimed Paul
But, Mademoiselle, how am to meet
you again, how"
''YOu will go to Paris, to Jean
Rosny," she answered. There you
will learn much, that is now unknown
to you. Our League has grown in
credibly strong during the past two
years. Kings are members of 1t; other
kings are united against us. Some
day, perchance, when we have sue.
ceeded you shall know"
Steps sounded on the graveled walk
outside Paul Lane ran to the win
dow. The officer of the boat was com
ing toward the house, but alone. There
was no sign of any Of his men. The
fog had rolled away and the sea lay
blue under the declining sun. There
was no trace of the battleship. But
for the deserted steamer, pounding
away her life upon the rocks, Paul
Lane might have thought that all had
been a dream-but for these things
and the approach of Captain Won Holz
rath.
He went to the door and knocked
he stood there until Paul admitted
him. Neither man asked any ques
tions of the other. The officer en-
tered the room in which the girl was
standing, Paul at his heels.
Captain Won Holzrath bowed very
low, clicking his heels, and addressed
the girl in German. Paul did not I'm
derstand that language; he noted
however, the Difference of the officer
and the girls scorn of him. He seem
ed to be pleading with her, spreading
out his hands as he spoke III depre
catory fashion, while her replies were
as those of mistress to a servant
Their conversation was animated anC
prolonged. At last the girl turned t.
Paul
"Tell him." she said scornfully, an(
speaking for the first time in English
with a slight and pleasant accent
tell him that this is free soil ant
that he cannot drag me hence with al
the battleships of the Austrian navy
Paul told him. He added:
Perhaps you do not know, sir, thai
by firing upon peaceful steamship
in these waters you have violated in
ternational law. You can be hanged
as a pirate. hope you will be-"
The officer stared at Paul coldly bu
did not deign to respond. He turned
and addressed himself to the CIR
again. He pleaded earnestly and volu
bly, with her She shook her head ant
stamped her foot angrily, pointing tt
the door and bidding him be gone
At last he desisted and turned to Pau
again.
II hope that we shall meet agar
some day, sir, under different circum
stances" he said threateningly, anC
flung his card down on the table.
There is no time like the present,
answered Paul angrily, and tore the
scrap of cardboard into fragments
The officer laid his hand upon hi
sword: he seemed about to draw OF
the other, but, after moments pause
| turned instead and made his way to
ward the door. Paul watched him 81
lently as he went down the gravelet
path toward the seashore. He dis
appeared beneath the wall of stone
to reappear a little later upon the
marge Of the sea, where now the ships
cutter lay, manned by the sailors
He stepped in and, very rhythmic
cally, the oars began to prorel the
boat from the shore. 1t rounded the
point of rocks and disappeared. The
sea was very still. When Paul turn
ed back into the room the girl had dis
appeared.
She had gone silently from his pre-
sence while he, in day-dream, star
ed through the window; gone like 6
wrath, leaving behind her only lit
tie glove and the faint essence Of
some perfume. Paul ran to the door