its voluntary labours.

"It's a shame," said Madaleine indignantly. "It is like putting one's
hand to the plough and then turning back!"

"Never mind, Fraulein, do not fret yourself," interposed Fritz. "The
old lady has done some good by starting this hospital here, even if she
did it in imitation of the Princess; and, although she may now give it
up, it will be carried on all right by others, you see if it won't! As
I am getting well, too, and will have to go, as the doctor says; why, I
shall not regret it as I should otherwise have done."

"Oh, you selfish fellow!" said she, smiling. "Now you have been
attended to and nursed into convalescence, you do not care what becomes
of those who may come after you!"

"Not quite so bad as that," replied Fritz; "only, as I shall be away
serving with my regiment, I should prefer to think of you ensconced in
the quiet security of the baroness' castle on the Rhine, to being here
amidst the excitement of the war and in the very thick of bands of
stragglers to and from the front."

"Especially since I would lose your valuable protection!" laughed
Madaleine.

"Ah, wait till I get up and am strong!" said Fritz. "When you see me
again, I promise to be able to protect you."

"Aye, when!" repeated the girl with a sigh. "However, I must say good-
bye now, Herr Lieutenant I have told our man Hans, whom the baroness
leaves behind, to see that you want for nothing until you shall be able
to attend to yourself. I'm sorry you'll have no female nurse now to
look after you."

"I wouldn't let another woman come near me after you go!" exclaimed
Fritz impulsively. "Mind, you have promised to write to me, you know."

"Yes," said she, "I will answer your letters; and now, good-bye! Don't
forget me quite when you get amongst the gay ladies of Paris, who will
quite eclipse your little German nurse!"

"Never!" he ejaculated. "Good-bye, till we meet again!" and he pressed
her hand to his lips, looking up into her eyes.

"Good-bye!" said she in a husky voice, turning away; when the dog, which
had been lying down in his usual place by his master's bedside, started
up, "Good-bye you, too, my darling `Fritz'!" she added, throwing her
arms round the retriever's neck and kissing his smooth black head; "I
nearly forgot you, dearest doggie, I do declare!"

"Heavens!" exclaimed the other Fritz, mortally jealous of his dog for
the moment, "I wish you would only say farewell to me like that!"