The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-06-27


he said. "The committee likes prompt.
ness"
Ihey left together, the one stridlng
out with long steps that we're 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 qulckened 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
CT 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. ut is formality all must COM
ply with"
Old Adelbert drew back. "I do not
like your rule. l am not as other men.
must see where CO."
Il shall lead you carefully. And, IL
ycu fear. l can carry you" He
chuckled at the thought. But old Adel-
bert knew well that he could do 1t,
knew that he was as n child to those
mighty arms. He submitted to the
bandage, however, with an Ill grace
that caused the concierge to smile.
1T 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
graves with the ease of familiarity.
Only once he spoke. "Know you wherc
you areT
'1n field" said Adelbert, recently
ploughed."
AYE, IN field, right enough. But
one which sows corruption, and raises
nothing, until perhaps great st. ca
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. II,
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 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, would have Joined a guild.
Then l might have kept my place at
the opera. AS 1t 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, an
old soldier, sweat at the thought Of
blood? Great changes required heroic
measures. 1t was because he was old
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 Olga |
Loschek had been in comprehending |
his surroundings. His old eyes at first |
saw little but the table and its candles
n their gruesome holders. But when |
ne saw the committee his heart failed.
Here, embodied before him, was every
hing he had loathed during all his |
Upright and loyal years-anarchy,
murder, treason. His face worked. |
rhe cords In his neck stood out like |
strings drawn to the breaking point. |
The concicfse was speaking. For
III his boasting. he was Ill ut ease.
His voice had lost Its bravado. and
lad taken on fawning note.
'.This Is the man of whom word was
ent to the committee" he said. II
'entured to ask that he be allowed
o come here. because he brings In
ormation Of vslue."