New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-21
The Chateau dAusperoe


stripped from his body in order to bandsge hi,
wounds
"And then? Did the officer go, or is he still
in your care, Contest"
His glance fell on the motionless form in IN.
invalid's chair.
Then something unexpected happened Tn,
old lady stepped suddenly to the chair.
"Ohw she called out shrily, "you think That
here under these covers lies the officer whom
you seek? Oh no, Herr Commandant' am
not so lacking in foresight. And If have no,
sooner fulfilled your wish, it was simply and
solely because did not want to disturb the in
valid's rest 1t has cost US much trouble and
pains TO move my granddaughter into this
room"
She carefully lifted the sheet and uncovered
the face Of the sleeper. Herr Won Breten saw
TO his unmeasured establishment, the beautiful
though drawn, face Of young woman.
as it possible?" stammered the officer He
turned away perplexed, hurried TO the door
opened it softly and spoke some words 70 the
sentinel standing outside. Then he returned
The Countess looked at him triumphantly, sm
ing her scorn.
"Will you believe me now if | assure you
that no French soldier is hidden in the cha
teau?"
Herr Won Breiten stared at the invalid and
shook his head.
zone thing can't understand at all. In
form and expression the face Of your grand
daughter bears the strongest possible resem.
bance to that of your gardeners daughter
my gardeners daughter?'
The mistress Of the chateau paled and looked
at him, panic-stricken.
"Yesl | have had her arrested and spoken
casually with her. Besides"-he turned
toward the door and listened-"they are
bringing her here and you can yourself
gracious Countess, observe the resemblance"
"You have arrested the daughter Of my
gardener? Why? What crime can the poor
girl have committed"
The officer made no answer, but glanced
toward the door of the salon, through whcn
entered pale, delicate girl in peasant gar,
accompanied by an armed sub-officer. Alarmed
and highly excited, she FASTENED TO the Coun.
tess and, wringing her hands in desperation
exclaimed; MADAME la Comtesse, in the name
of the Holy Mother of God, Madame la Com.
tesse, save me-"
The Countess pressed the young girl to her
breast
"Jeannette, my child, calm yourself she
whispered. "They cannot have anything
against you; be calm. You see, that l. too
must control myself"
Meanwhile the Lieutenant, without the
Countess's noticing him, had again softly ap-
preached the invalid and examined her wit
inquisitive eyes. Suddenly he broke out in a
laugh and motioned TO the under-officer, who
hurried to his side And before the Countess,
who ran toward them in a fury, could inter
fere the under-officer snatched away the thick,
heavy covering under which the sick person
lay.
"Ah! We have him. Herr Lieutenant he
cried with delight Before them, half clothed,
lay the youthful body of man.
He seemed to be wounded, for his arm was
bandaged, and now, as he slowly and carefully
raised his head and sat up, a slight groan
escaped from his throat
The Countess stood like statue, white,
stiff, motionless. Fright and horror had
seized her. 1t seemed 10 her "a If an abyss
had suddenly opened under her feet She hal
plotted everything so cleverly, had arranged
everything so carefully, 10 save her favorite-
her CASTOR. And then just AS she had b..
lieved that she had succeeded and would be
able to triumph over the hated enemy-the
triumph turned 10 ashes. Defeat everywhere
out there in the field and in here in he
own heart and soul. Everywhere. everywhere
wherever the heavy tread Of the German bar
barian resounded, her beautiful France bed
and every hope of victory persisted in anguish
The wounded man got up, carefully adjust
ing his arm in the sling, and bowed very
slightly to Herr Won Breten.
Your prisoner-Herr Kamerad,' he said
softly.
Then with a cry of woe the pale, delicate
girl, who had been standing apart and terri
fedly watching the proceedings. rushed 10 the
prisoner, threw herself on the floor beside him
and embraced his knees.
Castor! Castor, Stay with US" she
exclaimed Historically.
He bent over and lovingly stroked her hair
with his free hand.
Don't cry, Antoinette I shall come back
| promise you. | shall come back when the
war is over and when"-
He stopped short and closed his eyes as II in
pain.