gret
obliged to give the youthful Albina Worzuba the go-by, as his wife had
caught him tripping. He had sweetened the farewell for Albina with this
annuity.

Albina was careful not to reveal this to her future husband. Why should
she? She argued that ignorance was bliss, and beyond everything she was
weary of the unsettled life she had been leading, now as waitress, now
as barmaid, or as something quite different, and she wanted to find
rest in an honest marriage. She could attract most men as lovers, but
as a husband she could only hope for one who was as simple and as much
in love as Heimert. So she had fastened upon him, and she had no
intention of endangering her plans by any unpleasant communications.
Prague was a long way off; and, moreover, many years had passed since
those days, and the money itself could tell no tales as to its source.

Apparently the barmaid would have no more free moments. So at last the
two non-commissioned officers rose, paid their bill, and then went up
to the bar to say good-night to her.

Now it was that Albina first noticed the full difference between her
future husband and the sergeant-major. As the men stood side by side,
Heppner was more than a head taller than Heimert. He was strongly
built, and, despite a certain fulness, he was well-proportioned;
strength, however, untrammelled, powerful, raw strength was his salient
characteristic. Heimert's frame, too broad and too short, and crowned
by its mask of a comic clown, looked almost deformed by the side of the
other.

The girl's eyes rested with unfeigned admiration on Heppner's
appearance; and when she finally turned towards her lover, a scornful
smile played about her coarse mouth. But in an instant she changed it
to a tender expression.

To Heppner she said: "I am glad to have made the acquaintance of one of
my future husband's comrades."

"When you are married, Fraeulein, we shall be living in the same
building," replied Heppner eagerly. "We shall be great friends, shall
we not?"

And the beauty raised her eyes to his with a peculiar glance as she
answered softly: "Oh yes, I think so."

CHAPTER VI

"For now the time to pack has come,
And love is put away;
Farewell! I hear the roll of drum,
And may no longer stay."