New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-01-24

HSHteu, ana In the Foyer, Strutt1nl
about, was his successor. Old Abel
bert quickened his steps.
At the edge of the place, heal the
statue of the queen, they took a 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. ut is Il formality all must COM
ply with"
Old Adelbert drew back. II do not
like your rule. l am not as other men.
l must see where l co."
II shall lead you carefully. And, If
you fear. l a carry you" He
chuckled ut the thought. But old Adel-
bert knew well that he could do it,
knew that he was as u child to those
mighty arms. He submitted to the
bandage, however, with an Ill 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
graves with the ease Of familiarity.
Only once he spoke. "Know you where
you are?"
"In n field" said Adelbert, recently
ploughed."
AYE, IN a field, right enough. But
n which sOws corruption, and raises
nothing, until perhaps great St. Gu
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. II,
and Il 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 l
been wise, l would have Joined a guild.
Then l might have kept my place at
the opera. AS it is, l 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
Great chaAges required heroic
1t was because he was old
that he feared change. He stumped
the passageway without urg-
Ing, and stood erect and with shoulders
squared while the bandage was re-
He was rather longer than Olga
had been in comprehending
his surroundings. His old Eyes at first
little but the table and its candles
n their gruesome holders. But when
saw the committee his heart failed.
Here, embodied before him, was every.
hing he had loathed during all his
and loyal years-anarchy,
murder, treason. His face worked.
Ehe cords In his neck stood out like
drawn to the breaking point.
The concierge was speaking. For
Ill his bOastlng, he was Ill at ease.
His voice had lost its bravado, and
taken on a fawning note.
"This Is the IA of whom word was
Ient to the committee" he said. Il
,entured to ask that he be allowed
o come here, because he brings In
ormation of value"
"Step forward, comrade," said the
eader. "What is YOU name and oc-
"Adelbert, excellency. As to occu.
for years I was connected with
he opera. Twenty years. excellency.
then I grew old, and another" His
oiee broke.
"What is the information that brings
here7"
Suddenly old Adelbert wept, terrible
that forced their way from his
AIDED eyes, and ran down his cheeks.
I cannot, excellencies! !" he cried. II
I cannot"
He collapsed into the chair, and
his arms across the table
his head on them. His shout
ers heaved under his old Uniform.
he committee stirred. and the con. 9
lerge caught him brutally BY the
In
up with you'll" he said, from
lenched teeth. "What stupidity Il
,is1 Would you play with death?" ID
But old Adelbert was beyond fear, {
[e shook his head. Il cannot" he Z
uttered, his face hidden. b
Then the concierge stood erect and
'lded his arms across his chest. HE ]
terrified. that IL ALL" he said. IF t
le committee wishes, I can tell them Z
I1-