The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-10-05
ADAPTATION
A Story of the Great
European War

During one of the incursions Of the
Russian armies into German territory
a general, passing the estate of noble.
said to one of his aids:
Captain Ivanovich. wish you to re-
main here till you get further orders
from me- Take half a dozen couriers
from my escort, and whenever you see
or hear of any movement Of the enemy
send me word Immediately"
Captain Ivan Ivanovich left the staff,
directed the commander Of the escort
to detail six men to attend him and, fol
lowed by them. rode into the grounds
Of the house, which was set upon an
eminence and commanded view of
the surrounding country. Dismounting
at the main entrance, he went up on to
the porch and raped loudly on the
door with the hilt of his sword. An old
man appeared. who seemed to be a
major domo. and the captain said to
him:
II desire quarters here for awhile for
myself and my men,"
The old man invited him in telling
him that the family. on the appearance
of foreign troops. had left the premises
In his care and gone elsewhere.
The captain chose room for himself
on the second floor and quartered his
men In the basement, for Ivan Ivano
vich, being a noble himself and a re-
fined man, felt disposed to treat the
place as he would wish his fathers es-
tate far back in Russia to be treated
If the fortunes Of war should bring
about it's occupation by the enemy.
Having thus taken possession Of his
quarters, he asked the major domo.
Peter, II there was anything to eat In
the house. Peter said that there was.
but no one except himself to cook it.
But, since he had been a chef, he could
get up meal Of such provisions as
were in the house. The captain direct
ed him to prepare breakfast for him
and give the men such supplies as they
needed
Having refreshed himself, Captain
lvanOvich went out on the porch, which
extended entirely around the house,
and made the circuit. now and again
raising pair Of binoculars to examine
rising smoke here, flag there, II
strong position on the crest Of the hill
anything. in short. that might be of
military Importance. There was no
flag in sight except the Russian impe-
rial standard. and the captain, lowering
his glasses, went back into the house
Being free to use the library, he took
down a book and being student as
we'll as a soldier, was soon lost in its
contents.
The next morning it occurred to him
that a cupOla that topped the house
would AFFORD him better view Of the
surroundings. and he started to 20 up
there for the purpose. Finding the door
leading from the second floor to the
third locked, he called to Peter for the
key.
Il haven't the key, excellency." said
Peter. when the family left the prem
ises they placed articles valuable only
to themselves. such as papers and heir
looms, on the floor above, locked the
door and took the key with them
lvanovich could have forced the door:
but, as has been said he was a refined
man. untitled for the barbarous side of
war. so he concluded to be content
with the view he could get from the
porch. Quite likely he was also intlu-
enced by the earnest look on Peters
face. which indicated anxiety that he
should not intrude on the floor where
the family heirlOOms and archives had
been stored.
One night while lvanovich was lying
awake he heard sound without hi.
room, in large open space, through
which ran massive stairway. Soldiers
In an enemy's country are naturally oi
the lookout for danger, and, taking hi.
pistol from under his pillow, he got on
of bed and walked noiselessly on hi.
bare feet to the door, which was ajar
and peeped out A surprising sigh
met his view.
Bright moonlight was streaming II
through large window at the head o
the staircase and dimly illuminate,
what at first the captain conceived {,
be an angel. 1t was female figur
ROBBED In white. 1t was standing as /
to listen. The face was sufficient,
lighted to Indicate that il was that of
young girl. On second thought Ivano
vich believed that the figure was one o
flesh and blood wearing nightgowl
and walking in sleep.
The figure presently started on. de
scended the staircase and disappears
in the darkness. lvanovich. too honor
able to follow, remained where he was
thinking that probably the girl wou
return. His anticipation was realized
She reappeared holding something Il
her hand, though the watcher could nc
zee what 1t was. Ascending to the doc
opening on the third story, she passe
In and closed 1t behind her lvanovic
listened and heard faint sound. Xix
the grating Of bolt moving in lock.
There was no doubt in the captain
mind that this girl was ensconced o
the floor above and that Peter knew @
her presence there. Who she wa,
whether any one else was with her. h
knew not. He resolved to keep hi
own counsel, at least for awhile.
was evident that woman was hidin
on the floor above, and he did not cor
reive it to be his duty to disturb hel
Indeed. he had already been sickene
All Have Three Forms.
Il - - q ~