Barlasch of the Guard

eople if you can, but

behind the kitchen in the Frauengasse, he smote himself sharply on the brow, as if calling upon his brain to make an effort. But afterwards he seemed to resign himself to this lapse of

to Desiree, "are the

rd, leaving Dantzig in that idle restlessness which holds those who, finding themselves in a house

k and sending out in return those who were to fill the gaps. But the Dantzigers themselves had nothing to do. Their prosperous trade was paralyzed. Those who had au

a great battle at Gumbinnen, and the French were in full retreat. Vilna had capitulated to Murat, and the war was at

, as often as not, translated them to Barlasch. But he only held

e said. "What is the

romise of settling down in the house, but had assumed therein a distinct and clearly defined po

d affairs had taken her to the kitchen, "you are trouble

e is in go

A

ooking her up and down, noting her quick mo

are going to employ yourself by falling in love with him, when

no other answer. While she spoke

nt-women. They get married for fun, and then one fine Thursday they find they have

aid out in preparation for dinner. Of some of her purchases he approved,

ttracted his s

. You are in love. Just Heaven, I know! I

" answered Desiree with her gay laugh

hen as they are now, as they always will be-inconven

her own slimness. They were left alone for a minute while Lisa answer

id Lisa, returning.

arlasch, with a g

a reply until midnight on board the Elsa, lying off the Krahn-Thor." The letter bore the signature, "

ere the last of the daylight filtered through the barred window, and read the letter again. Then she turned and gave a slight start to see Barlasch

ather?" he asked, i

N

and silence. Then he went to close th

not Sebastian at all. That he is a Frenchman who escaped the guillotine. What do I know? It is the gossip of the cafes. But I tell it you because we are friends, you and I. And some day I may

, and a face all wrinkled and twisted w

topic at Desiree's wedding. After dining there she and the Grafin were to go together to a farewell reception given by the

t, had been much occupied in social observances lately, and had made fast fr

a man of stone. It was the skeleton in this quiet house that sat at table with its inmates, a shadowy fourth tying their tongues. The rattle of its bones seemed to paralyze Sebastian's mind, and at any moment he would

is room to change his clothes, for he never relaxed his formal habits. At the dinner-table he glanced at her as a d

me to-night, when they were alone. There was an unspoken sympathy existing between them in which Mathilde took no share, which had even shut

with great clouds creeping up from the West. The evening fell early, and the lamps were already alight. Desiree looked to the wicks with the eye of experience when she entered

s lurking beneath the trees of the Frauengasse. The stree

ed Sebastian, i

was not going to rise to the occasion, as he sometimes did even from his de

of the street. The door of the warehouse was immediately under the front door, down a few steps below the street, while a few more steps, broad and fo

room where Barlasch slept to the small yard where

d downstairs. Barlasch was at his post within the kitchen door. His eyes shone suddenly as he saw her face. It was said of Papa Barlasch that he was a gay m

-the women. In here. Leave him to me. When they ring the bell, receive them yourself-with smiles. They are on

just above his head. He lo

said, "the fa

quickly over the threshold, and one of them, thrusting her aside, closed the door and turned the key. Desiree, in her white evening dress, on the bott

s. A mere formality. It will all be explained, no doubt, if the ho

u see," answered Desiree. "Y

ek him in this house," he said. "We will make it as easy

rom his pocket, and encouraged the

all," said Desiree cheerfully, "

icious eyes set close together. He seemed to be concluding t

warn you, Fraulein, it is useless to conceal

hem. She not only gave them every facility, but was anxious that they should be as quick as possible. They did not linger i

ion always belittles. The smile recommended by Papa Barlasch, lurking at the corner of her lips, made

and the sight of Lisa, sturdy and defiant, reminded them of the

official, with a brusque return of his

a littl

open

turned Lisa. "

th a laugh of much mean

and banged on i

uted, "open it

tened breathlessly. A shuffling sound inside the door made the o

of one in the dark, the door w

, and knew that a thing half done is better left undone in times of war. He noted the presence of Desiree and Lisa, but was not asham

n the house," explained Lisa,

or he was an ignorant man, who had lived through a brutal period in the world's history the roughest life a man can lead. Two of the

lot curses of Barlasch, who was now endeavouring t