The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-11-17
CHAPTER XIV.
Ethel Makes an Impression.

EtheI Makes an Impression.
Those German infantrymen were q
formidable-looilng company to descend
upon peace.lovlng innkeeper such as
Henri Christophe. 1t was, indeed, nc
wonder that he viewed them with ap
prehensiOn. as they stood there at pa
rade rest and stared stolidly into his
startled face. 1t seemed TO him that
wherever he looked he met the deter.
mined. impersonal almost inhuman
blue eyes Of one Of those businessike
| Germans. And there was something
sinister in the very way they crowded
his hostelry Henri Christophe could
not help feeling that even so they
would crowd every house in Belgium
70 him they seemed like locusts sent
| 10y dispeased Goo TO swarm over
the land until it should be filed to
| overfowing And always. ne
told himself. there would be count
less throngs to oil the slightest gap I'm
their grim ranks.
While Christophe viewed .hcm with
mingled alarm and amaZemeut. a tele-
phone sergeant Joined t-ose gray
ghosts from beyond the Rhine. He
carried a gun slung over his back and
field telephone in his haEIs. Placing
the instrument on one of GhristOphe's
tables. he proceeded to -un wire
through the doorway to the street.
"The major is coming" he an
nounced to his friend the corporal. who
at once commanded his men to present
arms. SO they stood. nosed like stat
ues. when Major Won Brenig entered.
saluted the flag. and then cast a quick
glance of satisfaction about the room.
Just before him another figure had
slipped inside the door, and returned
the salute of the corporal; and now he
stood impasSively looking on, much as
If the proceeding were merely an ev-
eryday occurrence with him But
however unconcened he appeared, lie
was far from disinterested. However
much he appeared at ease in his uni
form of a German captain, he felt any
thing but at home in it. There was, in
truth, no uniform that suited Larry
Redmond so well as that of his own
Irish Guards
This is goodr' Major Won Brenig
told his corporal. And it was evident
that Lieutenant Baum and Sergeant
Schmidt, who had arrived simutane-
ously with him, shared his sentiments
heartily. Can we not spend the
night here?" the major asked
Then he proceeded to avail him
self of the aids that the foresight of
the general staff had long ago devised
for just such an emergency.
Baum" he said. turning to the lieu
tenant. have you the papers and the
map from the WiIhelmstrasse?"
Lieutenant Baum saluted. and at
once he handed some documents to his
superior officer who scanned them
quickly.
Lion d'Orr" he read aloud. Il
- Proprietor, Henri Christopher Il
Bring Henri Chrlstophe." he ordered. |
At that the innkeeper himself
stepped forward.
81 am Henri Christophe." he an
lounced in a quavering voice, even as
Sergeant Schmidt was starting to
search for him.
"Oh, you speak Engish" the major
,aid
Yes. m'sieu" Christophe did not
know why he had committed that
preach of policy, But he was too
frightened even to reproach himself for
he inadvertence.
you are the proprietor of this inn?"
he officer demanded.
"Yes. m'sieuv'
Major Won Brenig barked out an or
Ter to his men. And straightway they
losed both the shutters and the great
oor that gave upon the street. Mean
While the major examined his papers
urther.
"You have a daughter,"H he an
ounced at length, Jeanne Marie
and servant LouisY"
Henri Christophe told him that the
acts were SO.
Where are theyT the officer asked
i'm then.
The servant fled with the Others"
hristophe replied. my daughter is
! her room, m'sieu." He turned
,ward the door through which little
eanne had sought asylum. But Major I
on Brenig stopped him. {
"No, | shall do that" he informed
I'm. And at his bidding Sergeant t
chmidt sprang forward to find the q
III. Her father simply pointed toward c
ie proper door. And his heart sank as
} realized the fright that would seize n
ie tlmld little thing at such sum