The Washington times., 1931-11-11

out of a window at home and
broke my leg. Then they
brought me here"
But how about you? What
are you doing now?" asks Gle
secke. Had your exams yet?"
"Soon," say Ludwig.
"I suppose that's all over for
me-" says Giesecke, sadly. They
wouldn't let a chap ike me
loose among children!"
The man who mad cried
Covert" as we entered, now
sneaks up behind Albert and
digs him in the back Of the
neck. Albert swings around,
but he remembers in time. "A.
L" singers the man, "A. l."
and he roars with laughter.
Then suddenly he is solemn
again and goes softly into a
corner.
Couldn't you write to the
major?" asks GieSecke.
What major?" I ask, mysti-
fled. Ludwig gives me a prod.
what should we say to him?"
I add, hastily.
Tell him he should let me
go back to Fleury again." an
swers Giesecke, excitedly. THAT
would help me; I'm sure it
would. 1t is all quiet there now;
but I only know it as it was
then, when everything was going
up-You see, I'd go down by
Death Valley, past Cold Earth,
and so to Fleury; and not a
shot would fall and everything
would be over. Then, ! be-
lieve, couldn't help but get
peace and quiet again. Don't
you think so yourself, too?"
ut will pass all right, any
way" says Ludwig, putting his
hand on Giesecke's arm. you've
only to make it all perfectly
clear to yourself"
Giesecke stares ahead gloom
lily. But you will write to the
major? Gerhard Giesecke, that's
my name, spelled with OK" His
eyes are fixed and blind.
Couldn't you bring me
We promise him everything.
but he hears us no longer; he
has suddenly lost all interest.
AS we go, he stands up and
clicks his heels to Ludwig. Then
with vacant eyes he sits down
again at the table.
Very Much Upset
At the door I look toward
him once again. He jumps up
suddenly as if he had just
walked and runs after us.
Take me with you," he says in
a queer, high-pitched voice.
They are coming again." He
huddles against us in terror.
We don't know quite what to
do. But then the doctor comes
in, and seeing us, puts a hand
cautiously on Giesecke's Shoul-
der. Nov We'll go into the
garden" he says to him gently.
And submissively Giesecke al
lows himself to be led away.
Outside the evening sun lies
over the fields. From the barred
window the voice sounds sing
ing still-"The castles are in
ruin-but the clouds-go sail
ing by"
We walk out in silence, side
by side. There is a splendor on
the furrowed fields. Sleader
and pale, the sickle moon hangs
among the branches of the
trees.
"I believe" says Ludwig after
a while, "I believe we all have
O touch of it,"
I look at him. His face is lit
with the glow Of sunset. He is
solemn and pensive. I am about
to answer, but a light shudder
suddenly creepS over my skin,
whence I know not, nor why.
Lets not talk of it," says
Albert.
We go on. The sunset fades
and twilight begins. The cres-
cent moon shows clearer. The
night wind blows up from the
fields and in the windows Of
the houses first lights are ap-
pearing. We re-enter the town.
George Rahe has not said a
word the whole way. Not until
we stop to take leave Of each
other does he appear to waken
out of his thoughts. did you
hear what he wanted?" he says.
ITO go to Fleury-back to
.Fleury-"
(To be continued
Copyright, Erich Marie Remarque,
1881: distributed by United