The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-07-06

ne Sdlu. LIE COluL1llIcc llhSS PAoAhps
ness"
They left together, the one stridlng
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 a 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;
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. at is Formally all must COM
ply with
| Old Adelbert drew back. II do not
like your rule. am not as other men.
l must see where 60"
II shall lead you carefully. And, II
you fear. 1 can carry you" be
chuckled at the thought. But old Adei-
bert knew we'll that he could do II,
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.
ut hurts your dignity, eh. old
rooster! he said jovially. "Others. OF
greater dignity, have felt the same.
But all submit in the end"
He piloted the veteran among the
J graves with the ease OF familiarity.
Only once he spoke. "Know you where
you are?"
"In field" said Adelbert, recently
ploughed."
AYE, IN a 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 a handful know Of this meet
ing place." boosted the concierge. i,
and a few others. Only we may meet
with the committee face to face"
"You must have great influence" OBJ
served old Adelbert timidly.
II control the guilds. He who today
can sway labor to his will u power
full; very powerful, comrade. Labor
is the great beast which tires OF car
rying burdens, and Is but now learning
it's strength"
cave" said old Adelbert. "Had
been wise, would have Joined guild.
Then I might have kept my place at
the opera. As it is, / stood alone, and
they put me out"
"You do not stand alone now. Stano
by US, and we will support you. Inc
republic will not forget its friends
Thus heartened, old Adelbert bright
ened I'D somewhat. Why should he, an
old soldier, sweat at the thought OF
blood? Great changes required heroic
measures. 1t was because he was Ole
that he feared change. He stumper
through the passageway without urg
ing and stood erect and with shoulder:
squared while the bandage was re
moved.
/. He was rather longer than Olgs
Loschek had been in comprehendini
y his surroundings. His old eyes at mrs
saw little but the table and its candles
[e in their gruesome holders. But whel
.. he saw the committee his heart failed
Here. embodied before him, was every
O thing he had loathed during all hi
10 upright and loyal years-anarchy
,r murder, treason. His face worked
The cords in his neck stood odt 1k
Ia strings drawn to the breaking poin'
The concierge was speaking. Flo
L. all his Boosting, he was I'LL at ease
v His voice had lost its bravado' an
m had taken on q fawning note.
"A "This is the man Of whom word wa
70 cont 70 the committee" he said.
- yentured to ask that he be above
- 70 come here, because he brings II
a. formation of value"
IA "Step forward, comrade," said To