The Dermott news., 1918-05-02

not walk" He rose and consulted q great silver watch. We can go now" he said. ''The committee likes prompt ness"
 They left together, the one stridIng out with long steps that were sur prisingiy light for his size, the other hanging back q tritle, as one who walks because he must. Old Adelbert, who had loved his king better than his country, was tagging patriot" that night. His breath came short and labored. His throat was dry. As they passed the opera, however. he threw his head up. The performance was l over, but the great house was still 1 lighted, and in the foyer. strutting about, was his successor. Old Adel bert quickened his steps. At the edge of the place. near the statue of tha queen, they took Il car and so reached the borders of the city. After that they walked far The scent of the earth. fresh turned by the plough. was in their noStrils. Cattle, turned out after the long winter graZed or lay in the fields. Through the ooze of the road the two plodded: i: old Adelbert struggling through with difficulty, the concierge exhorting him 1 impatiently to haste.
 At last the lesier paused. and sur veyed his surroundings: Here l must cover your eyes. comrade." he said. Tt Is Il fornality all must com 1 ply with"
 Old Adelbert drew back. Il do not like your rule. am not as other men. l must see where l gp."
 'l shall lead you carefully. And, If you fear. l can carry you He chuckled at the thought. But old Adel- bert knew well that he could do II, knew that he was as a child to those mighty arnS. He submitted to the { bandage, however with an III grace that caused the concierge to smile.
 Tt hurts your dignity. eh. old rooster" he said Joviaily. "Others of greater dignity. have felt the satae. But all submit in the end"
 He piloted the veteran among the graves with the ease of familiarity. Only once he spoke. Know you where you are?"
 "ln field" said AdeUcrt, recently ploughed.
 Aye, in a field, right enough But one which sows corruption. and raises nothing, until perhaps great St. Ga briel calls ia his crop"
 Then, realizing the meaning of the mounds over whIeh he trod, old Adel- bert crossed himself
 Only handful know of this meet ing place." hoasted the concierge. 'I, and few others. Only We may meet with the committee face to face
 You must have great infueuce.a ob- served old Adelbtrt timidly.
 ''I control the guilds. He who today can sway labor to his will is power full; very powerful, comrade. Labor i is the great beast which tires of ear rying burdens. and is but now learning it's strength"
 Aye" said old Adelhert. "Had been wise, would have joined guild. Then l might have kept my place at the opera. As it Is. l stood alone, anu they put me out"
 You do not stand alone now. Stand by us, and we will support you. The republic will not forget It's friends.
 Thus heartened, old Adelbert bright ! ened up somewhat. Why should he, an old soldier. sweat at the thought of blood? Great changes required heroic measures It was because he was old that he feared change. He stumped through the passageway without urg- ! ing and stood erect and with shoulders 1 squared while the bandage was re- moved.
 He was rather longer than Olga LoSchek had been in comprehending his surroundings. His old eyes at first saw little but the table and its candles in their gruesome holders. But when he saw the committee his heart failed. Here, embodied before him, was every thing he had loathed during all his upright and loyal years-anarchy murder, treason. His face worked The cords in his neck stood out like strings drawn to the breaking point. l The concierge was speaking. For all his boasting. he was ill at ease His voice had lost its bravado. and had taken on q fawning note. | "This is the man of whom word was sent to the committee" he said. q ventured to ask that he be allowed to come here. because he brings in- formation of value"
 1 "Step forward. comrade," said the