Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1915-10-14

A Story of the Great
European War
ByF. A. mitchell


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 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 a room for himself
on the second floor and Quartered his
men In the basement, for Ivan Ivano-
vich. being a noble himself ana re-
fined man, felt disposed to treat the
place as he would wish his fathers es-
tate far back In Russia to be treated
II the fortunes Of war should bring
about its occupation by the enemy.
Having thus taken possession Of his
quarters, he asked the major d0mo.
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 |
Ivanovich went out on the porch, which |
extended entirely around the house,
and made the circuit, now and again |
raising a pair Of binoculars to examine
rising smoke here, a flag there, n |
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, towering
his glasses, went back into the house.
Being free to use the library. he took |
down a book and, being a student as
well as q soldier. was soon lost in It's |
contents.
The next morning 1t occurred to him |
that cupola that topped the house |
would afford him better view Of the |
surroundings. and he started to 60 up
there for the purpose. Finding the door
leading from the second floor to the
third locked. he called to Peter for the
key.
81 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"
Ivanovich could have forced the door;
but, as has been said. he was refined \
man. untitled for the barbarous side Of
with the view he could get from the
porch. Quite likely he was also influ'
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 Ivanovich was lying
awake he heard sound without his
room, In large open space, through
which ran massive stairway. Soldiers
in an enemy's country are naturally OH
the lookout for danger. and, taking his
pistol from under his pillow, he got out
of bed and walked noiselessly on his
bare feet to the door, which was ajar,
and peeped out A surprising sight
met his view.
Bright moonlight was streaming III
through a large window at the head Of
the staircase and dimly illuminated
what at first the captain conceived to
be an angel. 1t was a female figure
r0bed in white. It was standing as If
to listen. The face was sufficiently
lighted to indicate that It was that Of a
young girl. On second thought Ivano
vich believed that the figure was one Of
flesh and blood wearing a nghtgown
bnd walking in sleep.
The figure presently started on. de
scended the staircase and disappeared
in the darkness. Ivanovich. too honor
able to follow, remained where he was,
thinking that probably the girl would
return. His anticipation was realized
She reappeared holding something In
her hand. though the watcher could not
see what it was. Ascending to the door
opening on the third story. she passed
IN and closed II behind her lvanovich
listened and heard faint sound. like
the grating Of bolt moving in lock.
There was no doubt in the captains
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