The Elbert County tribune., 1918-10-18

great silver watch. 1--WE can go now"
he said. 1.-THE committee likes prompt
ness"
They left together, the one striding
out with long steps that were sur
prisIngly light for his size, the other,
hanging back trifle, 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
over, but the great house was still
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 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 nostrils. Cattle,
turned out after the long winter.
grazed or lay in the fields. Through
the ooze of the road the two plodded !;
oiu huciDeit OIL uBSihS tiioubu Win
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. at is u for1nality all must COM
ply with"
Old Adelbert drew back. 81 do not
like your rule. am not as other men.
L must see where CO."
II shall lead you carefully. And, If
you fear. can carry you" He
chuckled ut the thought. But old Adel-
bert knew well that he could do 1t,
knew that he was as a child to those
mighty arms. He submitted to the
bandage, however, with an i'll grace
that caused the concierge to smile.
'It hurts your dignity, ell, old
rooster!' he said jovlally. "Others. of
greater dignity, have felt the same.
But all submit in the end"
He ppoted the veteran among the
graves with the ease of familiarity.
Only once he spoke. ''Know you where
you are7"
''In field" said Adelbert, recently
ploughed."
AYE. IN n field, right enough. But
one which sows corruption and raises
nothing, until perhaps great st. Ga
briel calls in his CROP"
Then, realizing the meaning of the
mounds over which he trod, old Adel-
bert crossed himself.
"Only handful know of this meet
ing place." boasted the concierge. 81,
and few others. Only we may meet
with the committee face to face"
"You must have great influence" OBJ
served old Adeibert timidly.
II control the guilds. He who today
can sway labor to his will is power
full; very powerful, comrade. Labor
is the great beast which tires of car
rying burdens, and is but now learning
its strength"
AYE" said old Adelbert. "Had ]
been wise, 1 would have Joined a guild
Then 1 might have kept my place at
the opera. AS it is. stood alone, and
they put me out"
You do not stand alone now. Stand
by us, and we will support you. The
republic will not forget its friends"
Thus heartened, old Adelbert bright.
ened up somewhat. Why should he, IN
old soldier, sweat at the thought OF
blood? Great changes required heroic
measures. 1t was because he was ole
that he feared change. He stumped
through the passageway without urg
ing, and stood erect and with shoulders
squared while the bandage was re
| moved.
He was rather longer than Olgi
Loschek had been in comprehendint
his surroundings. His old eyes at frs
saw little but the table and It's candles
in their gruesome holders. But wher
he saw the committee his heart failed
Here, embodied before him, was every
thing he had loathed during all hi.
upright and loyal years-anarchy
murder, treason. His face worked
The cords In his neck stood out like
strings drawn to the breaking point
The concierge was speaking. Fol
all his boasting. he was Ill at ease
His voice had lost its bravado, ant
had taken on fawning note.
"This is the man of whom word was
sent to the committee" he said. 81
ventured to ask that he be allowed
to come here, because he brings In
formation of value"
"Step forward, comrade." said the