The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-25
ADAPTATION
A Story Of the Great
European War
Byf. A. mitchell

During one of the incursiOns Of the
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 stan,
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 a 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 q
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 quVtered his
men in the basement, for Ivdn lvano-
vich, being a noble himself and 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 its occupation by the enemy
Having thus taken possession Of his
quarters, he asked the major domo
Peter, if there was anything to eat In
the house. Peter said that there was
but no one except himself to cook 1t
But, since he had been a chef, he coult
get up q meal of such provisions al
were in the house. The captain direct
ed him to prepare breakfast for hin
and give the men such supplies as the!
needed.
Having refreshed himself, Captain
Ivanovich went out on the porch, whicl
extended entirely around the hOuse
and made the circuit, now and agail
raising pair Of binoculars to examin
rising smoke here, flag there,
strong position on the crest Of the hi
anything in short, that might be o
military importance. There was n
flag in sight except the Russian impt
rial standard, and the captain, lowerin
his glasses, went back into the hOust
Being free to use the library, he too
down book and, being a student a
contents.
The next morning it occurred to hi
that cupOla that topped the hous
would afford him better view Of I'll
surroundings, and he started to go U
there for the purpose. Finding the dot
leading from the second floor to Il
third locked he called to Peter for Il
key.
81 haven't the key, excellency," sa
Peter. when the family left the pref
Uses they placed articles valuable on
to themselves, such as papers and hel
door and took the key with them"
Ivanovich could have forced the doc
but, as has been said. he was a REIN
man. untitled for the barbarOus side
war, so he concluded to be cOnte
with the view he could get from (
porch. Quite likely he was also inf
enced by the earnest look on Pete
face, which indicated anxiety that
should not intrude on the floor wht
the family heirloOms and archives h
been stored.
One night while lvanOvich was lyi
awake he heard a sound without
room. In n large open space. throu
which ran a massive stairway. Soldi
in an cnemy's country are naturally
the lookout for danger, and, taking
pistol from under his pillow, he got
of bed and walked nOiselessly on
bare feet TO the door, which was a.
and peeped out. A surprising 81
met his view.
Bright moonlight was streaming
through "A large window at the heai
the staircase and dimly illumina
what at first the captain conceived
be an angel. Ii was Il female fig
robed In white. 1t was standing a
to listen. The face was sufticie
lighted to indicate that 1t was that
young girl. On second thought ";
vich believed that the figure was on
flesh and blood wearing nightg'
and walking in sleep.
The figure presently started on.
seconded the staircase and disappe'
in the darkness. lvanOvich. too he
able to follow, remained whele he
thinking that probably the girl W
return. His anticipation was real
She reappeared holding somethin
her hand, though the watcher cOulC
zee what 1t was. Ascending to the
opening on the third story. she pa
in and closed it behind her. lvanC
listened and heard faint sound.
the grating of bolt moving in Il
There was no doubt In the capt
mind that this girl was ensconce
the floor above and that Peter kne
her presence there. Who she
whether any one else was with he
knew not He resolved TO keel
own counsel, at least for awhile
was evident that woman was h
on the floor above, and be did moi
ceive it to be his duty to disturb
Indeed. he had already been sicl
All Have Three Forms.
All things In the world have