The Owosso times., 1915-08-13
AnApparitio1
A Story of the Great
European War


2iussian armies into German territory
= general passing the estate of a noble.
said to one OF his aids:
Captain Ivanovich, | wish you to re-
main here till you get further orders
from me. Take half 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
20 detail six men to attend him and fol
lowed by them, rode into the grounCS
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 OH the
door with the hit of his sword. An old
man appeared, who seemed to be a
ma jor domO, and the captain said to
Eiim:
Il desire quarters here for awhile for
myself and my men,"
The old man invited him in, telling
him that the family, on the appearance
sof foreign troops, had left the premises
In his care and gone elsewhere.
The captain chose a room for himself
eoa the second floor and quartered his
amen in the basement. for Ivan Ivano-
vicb, being a noble himself and re-
2ined 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 domO.
f'eter, If there was anything to eat in
She house. Peter said that there was,
but no one except himself to cook it.
BDt, since he had been a chef he could
get up meal of such provisions us
eyene in the house. The captain direct
ted him to prepare breakfast for him
and give the men such supplies as they
Alecded
Having refreshed himself, Captain
1vanovich went out on the porch. which
extended entirely around the house
and made the circuit, now and again
-raislng pair of binoculars to examine
arising smoke here, flag there, Il
strong position on the crest of the hill
anything, in short. that might be of
military Importance. There was no
Sag IN sight except the Russian impe-
rial standard. and the captain lowering
mis- glasses, went back into the house
Being free to use the library, he took
down a book and. being q student as
Sneii as a soldier. was soon lost in it's
~I,ontents.
The next morning it occurred to him
that cuPola that topped the house
would afford him a better view Of the
surroundings. and he started TO go up
there for the purpose. Finding the door
seading from the second floor to the
third locked. he called to Peter for the
key.
"a haven't the key, exrellency." sail
Peter. when the family left the prem
1ses they placed articles valuable only
10 themselves, such as papers and heir
soouns, on the floor above. locked tn,
door and took the key with them"
Gvanovich could have forced the door:
out, 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 infiu-
-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
'beeD srored.
NOne night while Ivanovich was lying
awake he heard a sound without his
rRem, in large open space, through
Unich ran a massive stairway. Soldiers
an aD enemy's country are naturally OH
khe lookout for danger, and taking his
pistol from under his pillow, he got out
SOf bed and walked noiselessly on his
Iare feet TO the door, which was ajar
and peeped out. a surprising sight
yDet his view.
Bright moonlight was streaming in
3hrougb large window at the head Of
She staircase and dimly illuminated
what at first the captain conceived to
be an angel. 1t was a female figure
Epbed I'm white. 1t was standing as il
Eo listen. The face was sufficiently
aighted to Indicate that II was that of q
-yp1ng girl On second thought Ivano-
vfch believed that the figure was one Of
Mesh and blood wearing a nightgown
and walking I'm sleep.
The figure presently started on, de-
sscended the staircase and disappeared
In the darkness. Ivanovich, too honor
saioSe TO follow, remained where he was,
thinking that probably the girl would
return His anticipation was realized.
:ssne yeappeared holding something I'm
ias~r hand, though the watcher could not
see what IL was. Ascending to the door
opening on the third story, she passed
In and closed It behind her. Ivanovich
Sissened and heard faint sound, like
the grating of a bolt moving in lock.
There was no doubt In the captain s
11ind that this girl was ensconced on
a3ae floor above and that Peter knew of
her presence there. Who she was,
whether any one else was with her, he
Rnew not. He resolved to keep his
'slun counsel, at least for awhile. It
WAS evident that woman was hiding
'%M the floor above, and he did not con-
-r,s5ve II to be his duty to disturb her.
Eypsec,i, he had already been sickened