The daily monitor leader. [volume] (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1942-19??, 1942-12-14

being with them any longer. You
must help me-
"You will have to help your
self" At last he turned. He saw
her still, that small girl riding
in the park. in the beautiful La
zienki Gardens, with an Officer
beside her. 81 know your trou'
BILE" he said. 1T is a bad con
science. Do you want me TO tel
you the truth? You will never
play in the State Theater in Ber'
lin, and in your heart you know
it. Nobody needs you. There are
many actresses with far more
talent. The Germans you loveC
so much have made a fool Of
you"
The tears started to her eyes
A pity woke in him for hel
weakness and unhappiness, ane
pain for those warm, deac
days when schoolmasters sat a
their desks, and girls rode ir
the Lazienki Gardens.
She mistook his silence, liftec
her head slowly. and began tc
mi lie with new bitterness:
about her mouth. II could do il
so easily she said. only one
word. That's all l would need
Oh, yes, you think you can treat
me as you please. You think
"What would you gain?"
She saw that his eyes were
knocking her.
81 could go down to the cap
tain" she said in a louder voice
"Oh, my poor Englishman. My
poor, crazy Englishman."
"Katja." His eyes grew hare
and narrow, and he strobe for
ward and took her by the wrist
She cried out in surprise at the
pain of his grip. you fool" he
said, you could help us all, in
stead Of talking such chatter"
"You think So" she or e 6
fiercely, But it's too late"
you wanted me to tell you
what to do"
She Strengthened up. LET me
go. l don't need your advice"
He dropped his hand, and she
started toward the door.
Ruck turned to the window
His attention was caught by the
sight of an old man climbing
YEARLY up the path from town
Dressed meticulously in black
even to his flat : crowned hat
and bow tie, and with his small
beard neatly trimmed, he came
striding slowly, with sort OF
fashioned dignity, across the
clearing. He carried a walking
stick crooked over his right arm
The soldiers must have seer
him about the same time, fol
they started making good-hum'
ored remarks about him as soon
as he came within earshot. Ruck
heard them shouting, "Ho no
the schoolmaster. Boys, have
you studied your history? Look
at that cane. He'll beat you il
you don't know your lesson.
The old man paid them no at
tention. but came slowly to the
steps. Good morning" he said
My name is Andersen. Sixtu:
Andersen" There were little
wrinkles at the corner of hi
lips as if he were laughing in
side himself.
They slapped each other or
the back and sprang to mock at
tention. One of them cooked hi:
cap rakishly and spat onto the
steps.
Would you be SO kind as tc
tell me if your commanding Of
ficer is here?"
ITO be sure" said one, rolling
his eyes skyward Ito be sure.
And he started to bow, but al
that moment, catching sight Of
the old mans face, stern, anc
yet full of quiet pride, his bow
became awkward, as if before
he finished he intended to be.
come serious.
Sixtus Andersen started for.
ward, but burly trooper sitting
on the porch landing crossed his
long, booted legs in front of him
blocking the steps.
Would you be so kind" said
Sixtus, and tapped the mans
boots with his stick. The soldier
started to laugh, but then he re-
allied that the old man was
staring at him strangely.
We'll, what's wrong?" he ask
ed.
Nothing. Nothing" Sixtus
said slowly, but your ancestors
were Slavs, were they not?'
The soldier flushed angrily
and scrambled up. What dc
you mean by that" he burst
out. What makes you say
."
High. receding forehead and
flat topped skull" Sixtus an.
swered, repeating every word
Distinctly "Nexf time Won look