Evening star., 1925-04-30

years of age. as 1 was afaterward
to learn. His huge square head,
with its short gray hair cut en- brosse.
was directly facing me. Beneath u
broad forehead. curiously unwrinkled
by time, two fierce and fearless eyes
peered out, puckered at the corners,
and with deep pouches beneath them.
From the nostrils of the firm nose,
large but not too large in proportion
to the rest OF the face. two deep lines
ran to the mouth. hidden by the great
mustache, grizzled. turning up at each
end and protruding appreciably be-
yond each cheek. His frame was in
the same proportion as his face. rug
ged and immensely strong, and the
great head was supported upon it by
short. thick neck. bulging slightly
where it was confined by a stiff linen
collar. He was in everyday clothes,
his left hand in the side pocket OF his
coat.
There was a moments silence while
/ stood fronting him. Then he took
step forward and held out his right
hand.
II am glad to meet you, Won En-.
merich.' he said. in a curiously tone
less voice. You are extremely like
your father"
relaxed my attitude and bowed
sunny dS L lOOh ms Hdnu-
Il am deeply honored," I began. but
he cut me short.
Compliments are unnecessary be-
tween old friends he said. Your
father and | were comrades in arms
as far back as 10. His death was q
great sorrow to me. But he died as
1 once hope to die, fighting for Ger
many
A pair of sliding doors rolled back
a. hn
dark dining room, and dinner laid for
two on an oak table, illuminated by
four wax candles.
Come" he said. Dinner is ready"
As we moved to the dining room
he shot sharp glance at me.
You are in uniform" he remarked.
Why is that"
| paused for a moment before an
sWerlng, and then replied boldly:
Il had hoped, sir. that this would
not be the last time ! should wear il"
He looked at me sharply again for
moment, and my reply seemed to
satisfy him. Without further word
we entered the room and took our
places.
The meal was a very simple one.
some boiled fish, followed by veal and
plain pudding. For drink there was
some light Rhine wine. and I noted
that my host drank very sparingly.
As [ picked up my napkin, he in
quired after my mother.
haStened to assure him that she
was we'll, and began on the fish.
was beWildered,. but not frightened.
Ihough l had only been in the room
Few moments, I already felt the
torce or great personality, partly as
the result OF its direct influence upon
myselr at that moment and partIy
the result of all l had heard and read
OF his character and career. This was
the man who had been the idol of
the German people throughout the
! war, from the moment of his great
/ victory at Tannenberg till the last
| pltter days. when defeat and ruin had
fallen upon his nation. I recalled, too.
that, while all the other generals. and
even the Supreme Lord himself. had
abandoned their posts in the hour Of
defeat, he alone had stood faithful to
ms country and had applied himself to
the thankless task of demolishing the
broken and despairing German armies
Now" he said, looking me straight
IN the face across the table. tell
me why you have come"
L passed my tongue once or twice
across my lips, and, taking hold of
an my courage, L began to speak AL
though L had been quite unprepared
for meeting this man, I had realized
that whoever was to receive the docu-
ment which l bore might quite DOS
sfbly question me as to the undertak
ing, L had accordingly more or less
made up my mind what to say.
1 began with few general state
ments on the deplorable condition of
Germany after the war. Our country.
l said, was on the verge of ruin. We
were defenseless and broken. But
there were still many thousands who
hoped. apparently in vain, for better
things, for the dawn of a brighter
day, for the restoration of the Ger
man nation.
He listened to my platitudes in ST.
lence, and, so far as 1 could see, un-
moved, but when 1 said that there
was still youth in Germany in whom
there yet lived the will and courage
to serve their country to the death,
his expression changed
! Continued in Tomorrow's Star)