The Washburn leader., 1914-09-04
FrauleinBecker S
Ruse
BY F. A. mitchell
Fraulein Anna Becker was sitting in


she saw wasp wasted lieutenant
stop at her door. There was some.
thing in his manner which was very
serious and indicated that he was call
ing on important business. She had
never seen him before, but her brother
Carl was an army officer, and she
knew that the stranger called on some
business for him. Presently maid
brought in a card bearing the name of
Herman Borngesser for Lieutenant
Carl Becker. Fraulein Anna went to
receive Herr Borngesser and told him
that her brother was not at home. She
would be happy to deliver any mes.
sage Herr Lieutenant had for him.
Twill you kindly give your brother
my card?" he said.
"Anything for him to do?'
HE will understand"
"Are you sure? Is there not some.
thing that will make his understand
ing the matter sure?"
Herr Lieutenant glanced at the CELL
ing for inspiration.
You might say. fraulein. that it con-
Germs an occurrence last night at the
officers quarters"
with whom?"
Captain KOCH"
81 will give him the message with
pleasure" said the young lady, and
Herr Lieutenant marched away con-
graduating himself that he had acquit-
ted himself with great discretion.
Fraulein Anna had learned from him
all she wished to know, which was
that her brother, hot headed youth
who was bitterly opposed to her en-
gagement with Captain Koch. had
picked quarrel with him. had insult
ed him and the visitor had brought a
challenge from the latter
Fraulein's first act was to send her
| brother away on FOOLS errand by
sending him a telegram with his
sweetheart's name attached. saying
| that she must see him at once. But
since the sweetheart lived fifty miles
| from Berlin Lieutenant Becker must
necessarily be away some time. The
second move was to send word in her
brothers name that he would meet
Captain Koch the next morning at
o'clock at certain place where duels
between army officers were usually
| fought.
Now, though Anna Becker's features
were not very like those of her broth
| er, her height and weight were nearly
the same. That evening, dressed in
one of his uniforms and with dozen
Of his cards in her card case, she SAL
lied forth to put in practice certain
plan she had conceived. Entering a
restaurant. she ordered dinner with
bottle of wine. Presently she arose
and threw the contents Of her glass in
the face Of a quiet looking gentleman
sitting near her.
what does this mean?" he asked.
1T means that you stared at me in
an insulting manner" replied Anna.
and. throwing her brothers card on a
table. she left the restaurant,
Two hours later when Anna returned
to her home she had insulted six per-
sons. and between o'clock and mid
ferent persons for Lieutenant Becker.
two Of them from army officers. all of
whom fraulein agreed to meet the next
morning at the time and place she had
agreed that her brother should meet
her lover.
When midnight came and Carl did
not return Fraulein, Anna felt sure that
her ruse to get him out of the way had
been successful. But it had only been
partly so. When Lieutenant Bornges-
ser returned to Captain Koch and re-
ported what he had done the captain
sent him out to find Becker himself.
He came upon Becker in the billiard
room of the officers club just as he
was reading the dispatch from his
sweetheart that had been sent him by
Anna. Consulting time table. he
found he could keep both appointments
and agreed to meet Captain Koch at 6
o'clock the next morning at the usual
place for the settlement Of affairs of
honor among officers of the army.
Koch noticed a discrepancy in the
time of meeting between the written
and verbal reply to his challenge. but
thought little Of it. though. that he
might surely be on hand for the fray.
be went to the ground at o'clock. A
quarter of an hour later a gentleman.
with attendants. appeared and inform
ed the captain that he had come to
meet Lieutenant Becker. who had in
suited him the evening before.
While Captain Koch was disputing
with this man as to which of them
should fight Lieutenant Becker first
another party arrived on the same er-
rand. and before 6 o'clock three diff
ferent persons had arrived. each de-
sirous Of ''pig sticking (as they call it
in Germany Lieutenant Becker. At a
quarter before 6 Becker himself ap-
peared. having been travelling all night.
to find five persons waiting to avenge
themselves upon him. four Of whom he
had never seen.
Amid babel Of tongues carriage
arrived. and Fraulein Anna stepped
out in the ordinary costume Of wom-
an and stood looking at the disputants
50 ,n.,~S,Sr~ UD,o,, oho 1n0A ovr1oin