Evening star., 1927-11-27

In the taxi, Boettger sat stiff as
ramrod-and as inarticulate.
I'm afraid, Herr Leutnant, you are
somewhat restless in Brussels?" sh,
began.
ION the contrary, I am most con-
tented, Fraulein. Particularly when /
am"
when you are with me?"
Il confess that was what in
tended saying"
She turned to her left. 'Leutnant
Won Kedor has all the conversational
aptness of Frenchman.> Don't you
think so, Hauptmann Boettger?"
The captain reserved his opinion.
so" she continued you have been
away. Herr Leutnant?"
You know / have"
But l am not permitted to know
where?"
He glanced at Boettger. The man
maintained rigid formality.
"On the Somme? And there you
saw fighting?"
More than was good for my soul.
Fraulein Munter'
She considered this. II am informed
you are very brave, Leutnant Won
kedor"
Brave men invariably die a sudden
DEATH
You have a premonition?"
Perhaps,' he said lit was the
play"
But that was a comedy"
Yes"
Then what do you mean?"
Death is comedy. Fraulein?"
Her manner was gay. Il am sorry
you rate death so lightly" Again she
addressed Boettger. Herr Haupt-
mann-what do you think of him?'
The man remained silent.
"Leutnant Won KedOr," she decided
you are most morbid. Perhaps you
have dined too well. You may. indeed.
be suffering from Indigestion" Claire
Munter laughed. Permit me to sug-
gest an excellent thing for it. Very
unbecoming. perhaps, to an officer of
the celebrated 9Th Uhlans-but really
quite efficacious"
Her eyes were suddenly brilliant.
For brief second they flashed in his
direction.
You should chew gum" she teased.
preferably American gum
The sinews of his arms and legs
stiffened. His palms grew moist.
Her raillery continued. Have YOU
ever tried it?" she wanted TO know.
mo. Fraulein."
"No?" She appeared quite surprised.
well, them think YOU should. 1t
may give you a healthier impression
of-of death" And her laughter
caused even Capt. Boettger to vent
his amusement in a few staccato
outlaws.
The message-for now Won Kedor
was convinced Of it--confused him.
But one thing was certain. Claire
ci,, ,,Ix l,1,l
accident. To question her would be
stupid. In any case, he could do no
more than treat the matter as a joke |
THE parties given in the mansion
on the Rue Londres were largely |
sang and danced for her guests, while |
her servants passed continual round |
Of liquid refreshments.
1t had been Won kedor's intention |
10 leave early. Claire Munter had de-
,ided otherwise. Indeed, it seemed as |
t the little Berlin danseuse had again |
ost her heart-this time to a young |
lieutenant.
This became so evident that one by |
1ne the officers made their departure. |
her servants, she breathed |
a sigh of relief.
"All this has been frightfully siren
uous," she told him. Really, you are |
a most difficult man, Leutnant Won
kedor"
He paled. You have been asked to |
spy on me?"
She leaned back in her chair. II
confess they expected me to charm |
YOU"
"They?"
Luckily they have confidence in |
ne-or else my own plans would fall !
rather fiat" She looked at him. II |
am your friend.
Won kedor made her a bow.
She smiled. You were expected to |
all in love with me-
Perhaps" he said very quietly, II
nave"
AS though she had worn a mask and
lad now quite suddenly thrown it |
aside--her face was revealed as ex.
1uisitely grave.
80 highly do they rate the witchery
of my eyes that they informed me of
t--this evening""
"They?" he inquired again.
Won Rogge - and Hauptmann
Nolte"
The telephone rang, and she rose to
answer it. This" she said. lis one
Or the other of them-or both. Should |
they insist on coming up here. want |
you to f1atter their belief in my |
powers. Please believe that it is most |
important"
She then spoke into the telephone |
Yes? Certainly-of course. he is
here. Please come up"
Turning to Won Kedor. her eyes
grew tender. "Hauptmann Nolte," she
explained. $50 let us sit close to.
,ether--on the couch"
II don't understand"
An urgent note crept into her voice |
Please do as l tell you." she said |
1uietly. You are, let us say. slightly |
by'the. clampagne-or by |
the lady"
Spellbound, he continued to gaze at
her. by the lady," he said. obeying |
1er instructions.
On an ungoVernable impulse, draw
ing her to him. he kissed her lips with |
an ardor certainly not born of acting. |
He felt, rather than saw, her objection |
10 it and regretted his action. But
TO his utter amoZement--his heart |
eaped up to meet something in the |
lnfathomable depths of her eyes. and !
ne kissed her again and again.
Il do love you, Fraulein Munter. 1t |
were far better l didn't"
All the color had left her cheeks, |
but she had no time to protest. The |
door swung open. and Capt. Nolte |
stood there observing the scene with |
it seemed-little favor.
Won Kedor rose unsteadily to his |
feet, and saluted.
Il am sorry. Fraulein-I interrupted |
you" Nolte spoke trenchantly. snap
ping off his words. II had no idea |
you were so engrossed. Pray forgive
me-"
She laughed. Herr Leutnant was
just leaving" she said.
so ] observed. Sit down-Von |
kedor. The formalities-to my rank |
may be dispensed with. 1t is OBJ
vious-you need the support of a
c.I,n i,.