Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-10-18

OF tho last century has been
one of gigantic blunders. We
have reversed the traditions of
ern world are due TO them" Che
spoke like a 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 its drab equal
ity, has removed all purpose, all poe
try, all happiness from life. We have
formed a league, then, the League OF
Lost Causes, for the re-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? VIII you venture
your wealth and offer us your per
sOnal aid? The reward is danger,
such as man should love. and hard
but there are also other rewards
awaiting one courageous enough to
venture all in such a 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"
One moment" said the girl
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 |; nevertheless
We mus, meet on this common ground.
The man who serves our cause must
give everything and ask nothing; he
must obey orders unit, 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 it. 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
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 stood there until Paul admitted
him. Neither man asked any Ques-
lions of the other. The officer en-
tered the room In which the girl was
standing, Paul at his heels
Captain Won Holzrath bowed very
the girl in German. Paul did not IN
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 in a depre-
catory fashion. while her replies were
as those Of a mistress to a servant
Their conversation was animated and
prolonged. At last the girl turned TO
Paul.
Tell him." she said scornfuliy, and
speaking for the first time in English,
with a slight and pleasant accent
tell him that this is free soil and
that he cannot drag me hence with all
the battleships of the Austrian navy"
Paul told him. He added:
Perhaps you do not know. sir, that
by firing upon a peaceful steamship
In these waters you have violated in
ternational law. Ydn can be hanged
as a pirate. hope you will be-"
The officer stared at Paul coldly but
did not deign to respond. He turned
and addressed himself to the girl
again. He pleaded earnestly and volu-
bly, with her. She shook her head and
stamped her foot angrily, pointing to
the door and bidding him be gone.
At last he desisted and turned to Paul
again.
Il hope that we shall meet again
some day, sir, under different circum-
stances" he said threateningly. and
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 his
sword he seemed about to draw on
the other but, after a moments pause,
turned instead and made his way to-
ward the door. Paul watched him ST.
lently as he went down the graveled
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 prolel 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 a day-dream. star