New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-27

The glowing ball of the sun, sinking far
over behind the darkening horizon, scattered
parting sheaf of violet rays across the hazy
sky. Then night settled down, heavy and threat
ening, over the Belgian land.
Three riders approached at sharp galiop.
Immediately in front of the little troop they
pulled up their horses.
"Herr Captain." said the under-oficer, touch
inc his hand to his cap in a salute, 81 respect
fully announce: Over there in Gutenberg is
annie room for all of US; and for the Herr
CAPTAIN have found fine quarters-at Castle
Steene."
The captain nodded.
Thank you, Harder. How far is it,"
"Four kilometres, Herr Captain"
'Well, go ahead"
New life came into the tired riders and the
tired horses. Quarters! That sounded like
music. efreshment-beds-sleep At live
" pace the little troop trotted northward.
The road made a sharp turn. And sudden
" before his eyes lay the little white chateau
on a rocky eminence, its windows shimmerlng
with light. Like a castle out of a fairy tale,
the thought ran through his head.
His orderly stood at the gate; beside MN
was uniformed servant from the castle
Fritz led the horse to the stable. The officer
followed the servant to a spacious room on
the second floor, bright and glowing in the
light of the electric lamps. He took IN at
glance its comfort and luxury happy
smile crossed his face. These Louis Seize fur
nishings were worthy of a prince. Every
where. on tables and little stands, were costly
bric-a-brac of that elegant period. Through
the door which the servant opened appeared
white. canopied bed. A bed-a real, actual
bed
The servant shut the door noiselessly and,
as he took his leave with slight bow, said
softly: "The baroness expects the Herr Gap
tain in half an hour in the tea ROOM"
The streams of ice-cold water which Har-
tung poured over his head with infinite gusto
put new freshness into his spirits. Shortly
afterward he strobe, spurs clanking, up the
corridor, where a second servant awaited him.
The door to the white veranda room opened
silently.
The captain entered. The next moment
he stood before the lady of the house.
The accomplished man of the world had diff
Guilty in depressing an outcry Of establishment.
She who stood there before him smiling In
blond beauty-she was not woman; she was
the foam-born Aphrodite herself, the Venus
whom his beauty-hungry eyes had seen in gal
leries of the Old Masters.
The officer bent low before these dazzling
charms, while he confusedy stammered few
words about the regrettable inconvenience
which he had caused and the harsh duties of
soldier Smiling, she parried what he said
and motioned him to take seat.
Are you satisfied with your apartments,
Herr Captain" she began with a fresh, clear
voice. He bowed, glad to be able to say some
thing agreeable.
wonderfully, baroness; l am delighted
with them, especially since l am indebted for
them to so charming hostess"
"Ah, you Germans can also be galant!"
"Your gracious ladyship has no high opinion
of us. We pass as barbarians-I know that
well enough"
ooh, no! / am acquainted with Germany,
Herr Captain. ! know Munich and Berlin.
But here l am talking and forgetting alto
getber that you must be half dead with hun
GER"
She arose, and he also sprang to his feet.
MAY ask you to take little supper with
me? Over there in the dining ROOM"
So Captain Hartung took supper with his
beautiful hostess in the old Flemish dining
hall-the most select decacies of the season
and the most splendid wines.
And then they talked. She had travelled
half the world over with her husband, diplo-
mat, who, as true Paladin, had followed his
royal master into unwilling exile at Havre.
Madame had remained behind in the old castle,
which she was unwilling to desert.
AS Captain Hartung at two o'clock that night
mounted the stairs to his room he was still
revealing in happy thoughts. There came to
him again and again strange, rose-colored,
marvellous plans for the future.
A mans figure stood by his door. The cap
tain turned on the light. To his establishment
he saw before him his orderly, Fritz.
"Well, Fritz" he asked wonderingy 'why
aren't you asleep"
"Herr Captain" answered the orderly. low
ering his voice to whisper as he looked
around the room, at is not safe in this house.
Cnntisv.d "a, Inst Column Of This Pnoe