The Opposite House: A Novel — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite House. 195 gratulate you, comrade, and shall propose your name as a loyal soldier for the bestowal of the iron Cross.” Gerrald silently bowed his thanks. A deep flush crimsoned his brow, and his mournful eyes sparkled with the proud delight of the young warrior who gathers his first laurels from the thorny, blood- soaked ground. Haldern thrust his arm into his friend’s and drew him away to the camp-fire. His brother officers pressed with sincere pleasure around their univer- sally popular comrade, and they finally exchanged a “good-night’’—perhaps the last. There was something in the clasp of the hand which suggested an eternal farewell. There is astrange feeling con- cerning the parting on the eve of a battle. Who knows whether to-morrow evening one can clasp a hand warm with life? »o they parted and laid their weary heads to rest beside the crackling fire. It sounded as familiar as at their beloved homes, and pitying dreams con- jured around their damp couches the dear forms far away in their distant native land. Haldern and Gerrald still sat together. The fire had almost burned out; onlya bright flash occasion- ally blazed upward, flickering over the faces of the two men who were conversing soearnestly together. Leo von Haldern had a peculiar temperament, cComiclsoo S