The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-05-03

4 do was ySIy NekvOO Wnen 40 mao
this final effort Corps houses wer
curious places. he had heard, and full
OF secrets. Even the great professor
from the university might not ente
without invitation. And his experience,
had been that students paid small re
spect to uniforms or to age. In truth
he passed the building twice befor,
he could summon courage to touch thu
great brass knocker. And the AFRO
| gance Of its clamor, when at last hi
raped, startled him again. But here
| at least he need not have feared.
The student who was also door
keeper eyed him kindly. swell, com
rade?" he said.
/ II am seeking q student named
Haeckel, Of this CORPS" said old Adel
bert stoutly.
'Haeckel?" repeated the doorkeeper
II think-come In, comrade. 1 will
inquire"
For the name of Haeckel was, just
| then, one curiOusly significant.
He disappeared, and old Adelbert
waited. When the doorkeeper re-
turned, 1T was to tell him to follow
him, and to lead the way downstairs.
Two or three students came toward
him at once. You are seeking
Haeckel?" one of them asked.
Il am. I knew him, but not well.
Lately, however, have thoughts he
here?"
The students exchanged glances.
''He is not here" one said. "Where
did you know him?'
"He came frequently to a shop I
know ola cobbler's shop, a neighbor-
hood meeting place. A fine lad.
liked him. But recently he has not
come, and knowing his corps, I came
here to find him."
from him, and he knew nothing. ''He
has disappeared" they told him. ''He
is not at his lodging, and he has left
his classes. He went away suddenly,
leaving everything. That is all we
know"
1t sounded sinister. y Old Adelbert,
heavy hearted, turned away and
climbed again to the street. That gate
way was closed, too. And he felt
pang of uneasiness. What could have
to the boy? Was the world,
after all, only place of trouble?
But now came good fortune, and,
like evil, 1t came not singly. The
operation was over, and his daughter
On the mend. The fee was paid also.
And the second followed on the heels |
If the first.
He did not like Americans. Too |
,ften, in better days, had he heard the
merits of the American republic COM
pared with the shortcomings of his
,wn government. When, as happened
low and then, he met the American
amily on the staircase, he drew
harply aside that no touch of repub-
icanism might contaminate his uni
orn.
On that day, however, things
hanged.
First of all, he met the American
ad in the hallway, and was pleased
o see him dotf his bit of a cap. Not
many, nowadays, uncovered head to
i'm. The American lad was going
own; Adelbert was climbing, one step
t time, and carrying small basket
f provisions.
The American boy, having passed,
armed, hesitated, went back. "Pd
Ike to carry that forSyou, if you don't
lind"
"Carry it?"
IL am very strong" said the Ameri-
IN boy stoutly.
So Adelbert gave up his basket, and
lie two went up. Four long flights
stone stairs led to Adelbert's room. d
he ascent took time and patience.
At the door Adelbert paused. Then, e
neliness overcoming prejudice,
Come in" he said.
The bare little room appealed to the
oy. TITS very nice, isn't it?" he
id. There's nothing to fall over" y
"And but little to sit on" old Adel- {
,rt added dryly. However, two peo- Il
e require but two chairs. Here is
Ie." "
But the boy would not sit down.
e ranged the room, frankly curious, q
claimed at the pair of ring doves
40 lived in box tied to the window Ii
1, and asked for crumbs for them. a
ielbert brought bread from his small b.
)re. is
The boy cheered him. His interest p'
the old saber, the intentness with a.
lich he listened to its history, the
likeness with which he ignored his Sc
SITS infirmity, all won the old mans a
art. al
These Americans downstairs were LII
t all bad, then. They were too rich, OF
course. No one should have meat
zee times day, as the meat seller vi
ported they did. And they were pay
, double rent for the apartment be- m
'. But that, Of course, they could th
avoid, not knowing the real charge. W,
The boy was frankly delighted. And iii
en- old Adelbert brought forth from M
! basket a sausage and, boiling 1t W.
htly, served him q slice between two wi
ces of bread, an odd friendship ity
s begun that was to have unfore- VIZ
n consequences. They had broken wi
ad together.
over the meal, and the tai