The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-06-07

4
. he said. "The committee likes promp
ness"
They left together, the one stridin
out with long steps that were SUI
prisingly light for his size, the othel
hanging back trifle, as one who walk
because he must. Old Adelbert, VIII
had loved his king better than hi
country, was a tagging "patriot" tina
night His breath came short AM
labOred. His throat was dry. AS the.
| passed the opera, however, he threw
his head up. The performance wal
over, but the great house was still
lighted, and in the foyer, struttini
about, was his successor. Old Abel
! bert quickened his steps.
At the edge of the place, near the
statue of the queen, they took 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 nostris. Cattle,
turned out after the long winter,
grazed or lay in the fields. Through
the ooze of the road the two plodded (;
old Adelbert struggling through with
difficulty, the concierge exhorting him
impatiently to haste.
At last the leader paused, and sur
veyed his surroundings: Here
must cover your eyes, comrade," he
said. ut is a formality all must COM
ply with"
Old Adelbert drew back. 81 do not
like your rule. / am not as other men.
l must see where I co.
II 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 it,
knew that he was as child to those
mighty arms. He submitted to the
bandage, however, with an i'll grace
that caused the concierge to smile.
ut hurts your dignity, eh, old
rooster." he. said joyiaily. "Others, Of
greater dignity, have felt the same.
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?"
SIN field" said Adelbert, recently
AYE, IN a field, right enough. But
one which sows corruption, and raises
1cthing, until perhaps great st. Ga
)riel calls in his CROP"
Then, realizing the meaning Of the
mounds over which he -trod, old Adel- |
'ert crossed himself.
"Only a handful know Of this meet |
ng place." boosted the concierge. ~,
nd a few others. Only we may Meet |
With the committee face to face"
"You must have great influence" OBJ
erved old Adelbert timidly.
II control the guilds. He who today
an sway labor to his will is power
I'll; very powerful, comrade. Labor
J the great beast which tires of car
wing burdens, and is but now learning
IS strength"
"Aye," said old Adelbert. "Had
cen wise. / would have joined q guild.
hen might have kept my placetat
lesopera. As it is, / stood alone, and
ley put me out"
you do not stand alone now. Stand (
2 us, and we will support you. The !,
public will not forget its friends"
Thus heartened, old AdeIbert bright
led up somewhat. Why should he, an J
d soldier, sweat at the thought of
God? Great changes required heroic |
easures. 1t was because he was old Ii
at he feared change. He stumped t
rough the passageway without urg- S
z, and stood erect and with shoulders 4
uared while the bandage was re-
oved.
He was rather longer than Olga
,schek had been in comprehending
) surroundings. His old eyes at first
W little but the table and its candles
their gruesome holders. But when
saw the committee his heart failed. II
re, embodied before him, was every 8
ng he had loathed during all his 8
right and loyal years anarchy, 3
rider, treason His face worked.
e cords In his neck stood out like g
ings drawn to the breaking point. q
The concierge was speaking. For o.
his bOasting, he was Ill at ease. =
J voice had lost its bravado. and It
taken ON Z fawning note. OF
This IL the man OF whom word was &C
It to the committee" he said. I'll
ltured to ask that ~ ~ allowed hs
<snsrko hArA. became ~ hrinen in. | IF