The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-09-25

HIT . AE4aNAAEGs
l looked on the departure as a
natural necessity which Overhaul
aneed all personal feelings. and
he looked at il even as a joyous
expedition in search of glory. He
went with cheerfulness. re-
NAMED without a murmur. There
still chung to me something OF the
admiration for war which | had
imbibed from my youthful eduea-
ton.
1 still shared to some extent
with the departing soldier in the
pride, which he visibly felt in the
great emprise." But now l
knew that he who was going went
to the work of death with horror
rather than with exultation,
knew that he loved the life which
he had to set on the hazard -
that Co him one thing was dearer
than everything, yes. everything,
even the claims of the Augusten-
burgs-his wife-his wife who in
a few days was to be a mother.
Yes, We suffered In equal meas
ure, and we confessed IL and be-
walled IL to each other. No hy-
RotA hbACof NJ CEhpt9 PM d0CD VI
consolation. no swagger; we were
one in all things, and neither
sought to deceive the other. It
was still our best consolation that
each could fully understand the
others ineonsolability.
The regiment was to march at
10 a. m. We stayed up the whole
night. Not a minute of the time
still left to us to spend together
would we lose.
There was so much that we had
still to say to each other, and yet
we spoke little. 1t was mainly
kisses and tears, which said more
| plainly than any words: Il love
you. and l have to leave you"
And my little one, my poor
little one. whom perhaps I may
never press to my heart, what is
it's name to be-"
Frederick or Frederick"
mo; Martha is prettier. II It
is a girl call 1t by the name which
its dying father at the last mo-
ment-'
Frederick, why do you talk
always about dying? II you come
! back"
"Ah! IFl" he repeated with a
sigh.
AS the day was beginning to
dawn, my eyes, YEARLY with weep
ing, closed, a light slumber fell on
both of us. We lay there with
our arms linked together. but
without losing the consciousness
that this was our parting hour.
Suddenly | started up and
broke out into loud groans.
| Frederick got up at once.
I'm Gods name. Martha, what
is the matter with you? Oh
speak, Is tt"
| nodded affirmatively.
Was it q cry, or q curse, or an
ejaculation of prayer, that escap-
ed his lips? He cIutched the DeIl
and gave the alarm.
run at once for the doctor
| for the nurse" he shouted 60 the
maid who had hurried in. Then
he threw himself down ON his
knees beside me, and kissed my
| hand as IL hung down.
! MY wife. my all! and now
I have to CO..
could not speak. The most
violent physical pain that one can
conceive was raeking and wiring
ing my body; and besides this
the agony of my soul was yet
more horrible, that he had to &C
now. now" and that he was SC
wretched about 1t. Those who
had been summoned came quick
| ", and at once made themselves
busy about me. At the same time
Frederick had to make his last
preparations for the march.
/ After he had done this: DOC.
tor, DOCTOR" he cried. seizing the
/ physician by both hands. "you
/ promise me, do you not, that you
will bring her through? And you
/ will telegraph to me today, and
| afterwards there and there, =
naming the stations which he had
to pass on the march. And II
there is any danger-Ah! but
what good is it," he interrupted
himself. IF even the danger
were ever so great, could l come
back them"
The physician gave the promise
required.
20, my poor. poor husband
the thought cut me TO the soul
"even IL you receive the news to-
day that your Martha is lying ON
her deathbed. yen cannot turn
back TO close her eyes! You have
something more important ON
hand-the claims of the Angus
ten burgs 10 q throne
~Frederick!" I cried out loud.
He flew to my side. At this
moment the clock struck. He
had now only a minute or two.
But we were cheated out of even
this last respite. for another at
tack seized me, and instead of the
words of adieu. could only utter
groans and anguish.
Go, baron-finfsh this scene"
said the physician. "for the pa
| tient such excitement is danger
Gus"
/ \