New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-30

froNt''ft
cell of patriotism couId reach orcn him-tic
social derelict and cynic. II Is sfory "'"
derelopcd from a sound underlying idco me
author is Hans HqUDtmann)
THEN his younger brother, full OF en-
w thusiasm, marched away to the war
w when his father took down an old uni
form in order to do his share, IN spite oil MS
fftv-two years. in the great struggle against d
world of cnemies-then Otto's pose OF dehant
indifference came to an end. What the bitter
renroaches Of his father and the tears OF MS
r,other had not been able TO accomplish the up
roofing power of great crisis easily brought
about. A deep sense of shame, an agoh! o.
Of regret. overcame the young man.
Now. when it was too late, he felt the duty
Of accountability to powers and influences OUT
edo himself. Now. for the first time, ne
RECOGNIZED as a crime the mad excuses OF DIS
s;nation through which he had wasted MS
bodily strength. He realized that IN the IN
validism of his youthful body he wore the
brand of Cain.
10 had long become reconciled to the thought
of an early death. He had become so ndlf-
ferent that he could smile when he saw IN the
mirror his hollow-cheeked face, wasted by an
insidious disease.
81 have enjoyed my life was his defiant
boast. II am the master of my own exist
cnce." With these consultations he had risen
superior to the grief and reproaches OF MS
family. Now all at once he seemed even "
himself like a dishonest agent who had con
6scated a valuable estate intrustcd to him. lie
no longer liked to lift his eyes from the ground
for fear Of meeting looks which arralgned MIN
in the name of the Fatherland.
Father and brother the peasants and inc
peasants sons. the servants in the house ana
the laborers from the farm quarters, all full
filed their duty. Embraced and blessed by
mothers. wives. sweethearts and sisters, they
had hastened to the standard &c defend the
frontier of the country against the burning
and ravaging invading hordes. The son o.
the house had to stay at home with the women
and the minors-an outcast, Good-for-noth-
ing.
He felt that his mother redoubled her ten
derness to him in order to soften the humllia-
ton of his situation. He laughed in despera-
ton over her well-meant assurance that she
thanked God for having him with her as
protector. He took knife from the table and
held it in the air so that she could see the
trembling of his hand, which was not even
strong enough to depend on to defend the life
of his mother.
At night he climbed the creaking steps up
to the tower, which surmounted the Oldest
eastern wing of the castle and eagerly looked
for some sign Of the battles raging in the dis
tance. On the third night he heard the thun-
der of the cannon: on the fourth ne saw the
reflection of flames. Since the position or
every homestead for miles around was known
to him, he could not doubt that these confagra-
tons were on German soil. That meant that
the Russians were over the border.
Otto was incapable of thinking Of the naS-
ura consequences Of this hostile invasion. In
the first shock Of dismay the only idea that
came to him was that all these terrible things
would not have happened if he had only not
made an incompetent of himself. 1t was his
mad notion that he alone was to blame for the
terrible destruction. signs Of which were writ
ten blood-red on the night sky. He staggered
against the battlements Of the tower, buried
his face in his hands and sobbed
As with throbbing temples he made his way
down the steps again, the noises of terrified
household, awakened from its sleep, surrounded
him. Servant girls hurried weeping through
the corridors. The bell in his mothers bed
room was ringing. strange man approached
him and announced hastily:
"A notice from the Herr Landrath. Herr
Baron All your people ought TO start away
at once. Everything must be evacuated. The
Cossacks are coming
Otto looked at the messenger with feveriSh
eyes. The latter turned quickly away so as to
conceal the scorn which played about his
mouth Such a miserable figure. 1t was well
that the gray haired administrator still en-
joyed his pension in the castle. He at least
would have his head about him.
Just hen the old man came lmpng stifiy
up the main staircase. Even in such mo-
rnent he did not forget to greet the young mas
ter with old-fashioned respect. Then he said
Il have taken the liberty Of ordering the
landau and the big hunting wagon hit.hed up,
Herr Baron. There is no time for packing
trunks"
He stood with bent back at TIE door which
led TO the apartments Of the Countess and
knocked gently on it. As he was about 10
unlatch IT, Otto laid hand on his shoulder.
"You will accompany mamma, Maerkcr," he
ordered. with am icy composure which aston
ished the old man Tel her that ! shall drive
the auto. and have been obliged 10 take the
roundabout way by the hunting lodge
Otto los. hiro.eif in tho confusion Of the