Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-04-14
AnApparition|
A Story of the Great
European War
BY F. A. mitchell

During one of the incursions of the
Russian armies into German territory
a 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 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 staff,
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 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 chartered his
men In the basement, for Ivan Ivano-
vich, being a noble himself and re-
fined man, felt disposed to treat the
place as he would wish bis fathers es-
tate far back in Russia to DO treated
IL 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, IL 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 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 pair of binoculars to examine
rising smoke here, a flag there, a
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, lowering
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 soldier, was soon lost in its
contents.
The next morning It occurred to him
that a cupola that topped the house
would afford him better view of the
surroundings, and he started to go up
there for the purpose Finding the door
leading from the second floor to the
third locked, he called to Peter for the
key.
Il 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 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
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 on |
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 in |
through large window at the head Of |
the staircase and dimly illuminated
what at first the captain conceived to
be an angel. II was a female figure |
robed In white. 1t was standing as IL |
to listen. The face was sufficiently |
lighted to Indicate that It was that Of q
young girl. On second thought Ivano-
vich believed that the figure was one Of
flesh and blood wearing a nlghtgown
and 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 1t was. Ascending to the door
opening on the third story, she passed
In and closed It behind her. IvnnOvich
listened and heard faint sound like
the grating Of bolt moving In lock.
There was no doubt in the captains
mind that this girl was ensconced on
the floor above and that Peter knew OF
her presence there. Who she was,
any one else was with her, he
knew not He resolved to keep his
own counsel, at least for awhile It
was evident that n woman was hiding
on the floor above, and he did not con
ceivo 1t TO be his duty to disturb her.