Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 14, 2025
He had expected to see a girl, well, something like his wife, or perhaps uglier, for surely it would be impossible for any one else to fall in love with Heimert; but as he took the picture in his hand an involuntary expression of surprise escaped him: "By Jove! Isn't she beautiful!" From that moment he was always asking Heimert to take him with him to see his sweetheart. "Why?"
Heimert was somewhat reassured by this. When Heppner rose to take leave Heimert would fling his arm confidently about Albina's waist, with a gesture which seemed to say: "You see, my wife is my own. I have her and hold her, and you won't get her, however much you may covet her. That's the right of possession. And so it will be, no matter how much you may hate and envy me.
Unobtrusively he gradually multiplied the proofs of his gallantry; and by slow degrees the object of his attentions suffered her demeanour towards him to soften. Suddenly Heimert noticed their intercourse, and, stirred by suspicious jealousy, tried hard to put a stop to it. But was that possible? The deputy sergeant-major was often detained for hours at the exercise-ground half a mile away.
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.
Sergeant-major Blechschmidt, who was most to blame, received an official intimation that he must not count upon a further term of service. Finally the widow was informed that her husband had committed suicide in a moment of temporary mental aberration. A few days after the funeral Heimert was installed in Heppner's place.
The light blinded him; he blinked stupidly, and thought he saw in the lamp-light two shining revolvers lying on the table. "You kissed my wife yesterday," said Heimert, in a half whisper. "Isn't that so?" Heppner nodded. "Yes, yes." What had the silly fellow got in his head? Of course he had kissed the woman; and he meant to do it again, and again too.
It gave him an immense deal of trouble to fulfil his new duties, and yet no man could have set himself to the task more zealously and conscientiously. Captain von Wegstetten sometimes raged with impatience when his new sergeant-major could not meet his requirements. Mere indications and suggestions were not sufficient for the dull and somewhat limited understanding of Heimert.
"The lead and centre horses are all right, but the wheel-driver must have another beast under him. The Turk is too old; especially as gun six has always the longest way to go on the march." "That's just what I told the captain," put in Heimert. "It's all Wegstetten's doing.
Heppner, on the other hand, had only put on his best undress uniform. He was in a very good temper and very talkative, whereas Heimert walked beside him depressed and silent. They arrived at Grundmann's very opportunely. They were the only guests, and the landlord had no objection to Albina's sitting at their table with them.
"You must go back home at once, Heimert," he cried. "The major wants the regulations that were in force at the last manœuvres. Look them out, and send them over to the division at once, will you?" "Now, at once?" asked Heimert. "Yes, yes! Make haste and get them!" The sergeant-major hastened back to the barracks. With helmet on head and sword by his side he set off at once on the quest.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking