The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-06-16
STORY OF
A GHOST
The Scene Is Laid In Ger.
many During the Pan.
European War
By PAULINE D. EDWARDS


The German people are supposed to
be phlegmatic. On the contrary. they
are very emotional.
The Germans are especially fond Of
what is mystical Young persons Of all
climes are given that way. but Ger
many is the home Of secret societies
composed not only Of young men. but
Of those who are older.
Heinrich Borngesser and Carl Frei-
berg were regular students at the
University of Heidelberg. Borngesser
was a merry chap, always ready for n
joke. while Freiberg was Of serious
cast. Borngesser was a member Of u
corps whose business it was to prac-
tice on one another with the short
sword. Freiberg was a member of the
society for psychical research, whose
object it was to discover some tan
gible link between the material and
the spiritual world.
The students Of the university fire.
quented wine and beer house presid-
ed over by man named Becker. His
daughter Bertha, girl of seventeen,
was accustomed to wait on those who
gathered there. She was Madonna
like creature, with large, serious eyes.
and there was a reserve about her that
prevented those she served from the
usual jollying that young men are apt
to give a waitress. The only person
who ever tried 1t was Borngesser, and
he called to her face a look so panied.
SO entirely out Of keeping with his ban
ter, that he never tried 1t again.
Freiberg occasionally went to Beck
er's place for his beer. 1t was soon
noticed that he was the only man who
frequented the place with whom Bertha
would converse. What the secret Of
this willingness was no one could tell.
All were equally respectful to her, but
II after she had set down their wine or
beer they tried to detain her by a bit
Of chat she would invariably bring it
to halt and leave them. In time she
received q nickname from the stu
dents. It was Lady Purity.
Neither Borngesser nor Freiberg
was Of the nobility, but Borngesser
aspired to be an officer in the army.
Both young men served their term in
the military service, but Borngesser
was doomed to disappointment in Sc
curing commission. The officers were
appointed from the ruling class.
About the time these two young men
were leaving the university the pan
European war broke out. Borngessers
attempt to rally Bertha Becker had
affected her so much that 1t sank
into her heart. 1t was as II he had
broken q fragile vase. There was no
anger In her manner toward him. 1t
was simply that she had been hurt
Strange as 1t may appear, 1t irritated
him. He was ignorant Of what this
irritation meant, but it was plain to
others that 1t was the awakening of a
passion for the girl. When he was
hurrying away to the war he found
time to stop at the wine house to say
goodby to her. He might as we'll have
said goodby to stone.
But when Freiberg babe her goodby
it was very different. There were few
words spoken between them. Indeed.
Bertha spoke not at ALL Carl simply
said goodby, with pressure OF the
hand, while she said goodby with her
whole soul through her eyes, and when
he hurried away to the rendezvous she
followed him with those same eyes
while he was In sight.
Borngesser and Freiberg were in diff.
ferent regiments, but hard fighting
commenced at once between the Ger
mans and the Belgians, and the corps
to which they belonged. being deci-
mated, were joined In one, and thus
the two young men were thrown to.
gether. Borngesser seemed to know
that Freiberg had obtained success
with Bertha Becker, which was denied
to himself. Nevertheless he maintained
the same friendly treatment of Carl
that he had borne toward him at the
university. Heinrich had often rallied
Carl upon his prediction for GHOSTS
as he called 1t and on one occasion,
changing from banter to a serious
mein, had said:
carl. suppose we make an agree
ment."
what agreement"
Zone which will satisfy either you or
me Of your belief in a hereafter and
its connection with mortals still on
earth. 1 propose that whichever dies
first shall appear to the other"
II have no objection to that" replied
Carl.
Every well. It Is understood and
agreed that If 1, Heinrich Borngesser
die before you l will in some way
make you sensible Of my existence"
And will do the same by you"
When the two men were in Belgium
Heinrich reminded Carl Of their agree.
ment and added: This fighting IL
getting thicker every day. I have q
feeling In me that I'm going to be
downed, and that before long. So you
may expect to see me, my boy, for ]
shall certainly keep my pledge If ]
pass into another existence and am
able to excite the senses Of a mortal