Life — July 1, 1915 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

(Each story printed under the above heading is a candidate for the $1,000, $500 and $250 prizes offered by, Lire in answer to the question: short can a short story be and still be a short story? How The storics accepted will appear regularly wnder the heading “ Lire’s Short Story Contest” until October and are paid for upon acceptance at the rate of ten cents a vord for every word up to carefully the conditions on page 40 of this issue.) IEUTENANT LUDWIG KREUS- LER glanced hurriedly through the mail that had accumulated during the month that the X-8 had been away from base. At the bottom of the pile he found the letter he had been seek- ing and his eyes brightened. It was a fat letter, addressed in feminine handwriting, and its original postmark was Washington, D, C,, U. S. A. “His Excellency will see you, The orderly had entered quietly and stood at attention. With a slightly impatient shrug the Lieutenant shoved the letters into his pocket and left the room, He found Admiral Von Herpitz, the wizard of the sea, at his desk, As the young man entered the old Admiral rose and came forward. This unusual mark of favor somewhat embarrassed the young officer until the old man, acing both huge hands upon his shoulders, looked into his eyes, “Excellent.” The one word conveyed a volume of praise, gratification, The old sea dog was known as a silent man. Cen- sure was more frequent from him than applause. The Lieutenant could find no word. he situation was for him embarrass- ing in the extreme. He, like Herpitz, was a man of actions, and words con- fused him, “These English,” the old Admiral spoke grimly, “we will teach them! Have you seen the reports? They are having quite a little panic in America also over the Seronica, Two hundred of the passengers lost were American.” A file of papers lay on the table. » through them hurriedly. sir.” Kreusler r: N. B. By Joseph Hall The Berlin journals gave the sinking ot the Seronica great head-lines, fol- lowed hy columns of sheer joy. The London and Paris and some of the New York sheets called the exploit a crime and its perpetrators pirates. But they all gave it utter and undivided thought. The X-8 had become the horror craft of the world. Berlin figuratively carried her young com- mander on her shoulders. He found himself the hero of the hour. “You have done well for the Fatherland,” Von Herpitz repeated as the Lieutenant was going out. In his own cabin Kreusler forgot the Seronica and the X-8. The fat letter with the Washington postmark ab- sorbed him, wo years, ending with the out- break of the great war, Kreusler had been naval attaché to the German em- bassy at Washington. He had been popular in the society of the American capital. He highly educated, a profound scientist, an original thinker and an adaptable and interesting din- ner guest. Dorothy Washburn, the youngest daughter of the Senator from Oregon, had made her début in Wash- ington during the second winter of Kreusler’s presence there. The two had met. They were exact opposites ; he tall, severe, blond, thoughtfully seri- ous; she small, dark, vivacious, bub- Ming with the joy of life. Love was inevitable, The fat letter was engrossing. It breathed in every line and word and syllable the fine love this wonder woman gave him. One paragraph was most astounding. It read: “To be near thee, loved one, I have was 00 which the author docs not Read rite, arranged, through the gracious kind- ness of our friends, to come to Berlin as a nurse, Just when is as yet un- certain, but come I will, fear not, as ickly as may be, Dost long for me, to see me, dearest heart, as I for thee? Well, soon perhaps that may not be so far away. Couldst not thou ar- range to be wounded—only slightly, of course, my love—so that I might at- tend thee? The letter ended ages and assurances of devotion single word, side a with tender love bore a the sheet and on reverse script. This read: “P. S. Arrangements completed, Everything is settled, Even father has consented, knowing of I sail next week.” have been great love. nd then: <. B. The ship on which I sail is Seronica.” BASEBALL TALK A PINCH-HITTER comicbooks.com