Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-08-03
T h G u a ily
Short Story
An EXTTE'S RETURN.
By Esther NandeXeer-


I am a woman artist was one dsv
sketching Ia the Catskilis when hear
ing a step behind me, ] turned and
saw coming down the road directly be-
hind me young man with the faxan
hair and blue eyes OF the Saxon See
ing me. he lifted bis hat politely and
was passing ON when, in order 10 stap
him, I asked him question about the
CatsRllls. J was so struck by bis aD-
pearance that I wished to make
sketch OF him He was unable d. rem
der the information ] asked for but
my ruse served its purpose Ho stood.
hat in hand, deferentialIy chatting
with me.
He told me that he was German.
that he had not been long in America.
that he preferred to travel as Il pedes-
trian and was making a tour through
the Catskill mountains on foot Iu
time I made bold to ask him DO pose
for me I dared not offer him money
for doing so, for he seemed too arist0-
cratic 60 receive pay for such a ser
vice He not only granted nay re-
quest, but intimated that he would buy
the picture to ship TO mis- father and
mother in Germany.
While ] worked on the sketch
drew him on to tell what had brought
EfAE8E tO americas n. AT IEZt 4 ENE EHLN
evasive replies to my questions. but /
purposely delayed my work for time 90
gain his confidence and at last got the
story The heir apparent of the prin
cipalitv from which be hailed dis
graCed himself by a theft My model
was present at the time It would not
do for their future ruler 10 bear
stain SO the party drew lots as 60
which one should bear the obloquy IL
Fell 10 the man I was sketChiug and
when the theft was discovered he
falsely owned himself the guilty one.
His parents were mobiles. they set
lied an annuity upon him, and he left
home To become a wanderer His ai-
lowance was not sufficient to enable
him to travel by conveyance SO be
walked But he declared he preferred
that manner Of travel
The meeting with this man occurred
in April I went into the country
earlier than city folk, in order go
catch the pale green which only APP
pears on the foliage either In that
month or May. I agreed to part with
my sketch, since be begged SO hard for
81 He wished me 70 put it in oils for
him, and I agreed to do SO. But 70 do
this 7 preferred to take it 10 my stu
do iu New York. where / could work
on it 10 better advantage ] gave him
my address i'm the city, and he was TO
give me a few sittings there while
was making the transfer from pastel
to oils.
Ii was the middle Of July before I
completed the sketches ] needed for
my winters work and returned TO the
city I had told my subject ne might
call any time afs~r the goth of the
same month. But that was about the
time that the emperor of Austria de-
clared war on SeTvia- Whether the
prospect of a general European war
influenced my German friend or not
cannot tell At any rate. he did not
make his appearance. Then the spark
of war became a fame and the fame
q confagration Germany called 0n
her sons to return to the fatherlaud to
de military duty
One evening when the Belgians and
Germans We're struggling for the mas
terry OF Lfege there was a ring at my
bell. and my Young friend appeared.
II come not for you to sit p" he said
"but 10 bid you goOdby. [ have found
passage for Europe and If not inter-
eepted by a British or French cruiser
shall probably be able to end my OK
lie and my loneliness on the field of
battle"
AS he spoke the last words his ex-
pressfve face showed q sadness that
went straight to my heart
But the picture, baron" eE-
claimed. viii you not wait for me 10
finish it,"
/ 1t was not the picture about which
was concerned. ] chung to a straw to
keep him from his purpose 70 urge
him to make a home for himself LII
America and in time to be happy.
when you hear that / am no longer
sensible to disgrace send the sketch
you have made TO my parents.
7 begged him 10 alter his resolution.
but failed
Would you have me add one dis
grace TO another" he asked IF ami
enrolled as a soldier. and I must serve
as q soldier"
lie gave me the address o his par
eDts, bade me adieu and was gone.
The war dragged on. MANY Of cur
young women went over TO WORK with
the Red Cross. and I finally threw
down my brush and palette and went
to France to nurse the soldiers
One day among the German wound
ed who were brought in i reg0gnIzeq
my friend met in the Calskiil noun
tains in America. lie was badly
wounded lie recognized me p once,
and his eye lit up ct seeing me- lie
held Up cross made OF gin metal and
said, Il ana no longer disgTaCaa
Does gaIlantry in war iu Germany
remove such "a stain IA thefr2 asked
"GaIlantry ia war In Germany he
replied, removes any stain
But has not the real thief been
called upon TO bear the burden Mat Der
longs 70 him Q"
II am proud 10 say that still bear
that burden. am conscious OF having
served my country well. bu. 7 nave
served nav prince"
wondered al the difference i1 the
German and the American mind as ~
dictated by this man whose highest
aim was to bear the burden a1 any
man because that man was his prince
nursed him. but not TO .ie- ne
died proud of his sacrifice
Daily History Class