The Goose Girl

ifts and spread over the city, melting all sharp outlines, enfeebling the gas-lamps, and changing the moon, if ther

the truth was he wanted a clear vision of the palace and the lighted windows thereof, and of one in particular. He had no more sense than Tom-fool, the abetter of follies. She was as far removed from him as the most ali

n leaving it, perhaps in protest. A child sighs for the moon because it knows no better. Carmichael sighed for the Princess Hildegarde, understanding. It was sigh or curse, and the latter mode of expression wastes more vitality. Oh, yes; t

ck to America and threw himself into the fight with all the ardor that had made his forebears famous in the service of the worthless Stuarts. It wasn't a question with him of the mere love of fighting, of tossing the penny; he knew with which side he wished to fight. He joined the cavalry of the North, and hammered

pleasing address and his wide education, he blarneyed the State Department out of a consulate. They sent him to Ehrenstein, at a salary not worth mentioning, with the diplomatic halo of dignity as a tail to the kite. He had been in the service some two years by now, and t

better to weigh anchor and set his course for other parts. But no man ever quite forsakes his dream-woman; and h

s dreams. What absurd romances he was always weaving round her! What exploits on her behalf!

Still, man is master of his dreams, and he may do as he pleases in the confines of this small circle. Outside these temporary lapses, Carmichael was a keen, shrewd, far-sighted young man, close-lipped and observant, never forgetting faces

ll be asking Washington for my recall. I'll go over to the gardens and listen to the band. They are play

sion still unrounded, when he noticed a closed carriage har

with counting the fool's beads. Silver and c

he tumbled off the box, alive and hearty. There seemed to be a short interchange of words of mutual satisfaction. The lady step

ilitary patch here and there. The band struck up again, and he drifted with the crowd toward the pavilion. The penny-chairs were occupied, so he selected a spot off-side, near enough f

maneuvers every day, and several times he had noticed her, as well as any rider is able to notice a pedestrian. But that afternoon her beauty came home to him suddenly and unexpectedly. Had she been other than what she wa

en in love with some one

d her from the other side, and Carmichael was curious to find out what that officer's object was. Wallenstein was a capital soldier, and a

she resolutely sought the nearest policeman. Wallenstein, remaining where he was, laughed. Meantime the policeman frowned. It was incredible; his excellency could

l pleasantly. "Why can't your bandmaste

ut this cheapening sense. For the time being Gretchen was freed from annoyance. The colonel certainly

esent," he replied, acceptin

them just now," co

riot in the gardens?" a

y, nothing short of a bombshell would cau

your Paris better

e lights, the theaters, the cafés and the pretty women!" Carmichael'

There is no other night equal to a Parisian night. Ach, Gott

us not think of them

She nodded brightly at the colonel, who bowed, ex

his toe that time," sa

tched the scene between the two men, but was quite unconscious that it had been set for h

eese together witho

s with the woman. Gretchen smiled. This

ed. But his highness"-ea

rly knocked off his horse. If you lived in America n

ica?

exhibit him as an intimate friend

lightly of so grand a person as the duke. Still, the magic

e from

es

you r

in dreams"-

ght they we

e or two

large, thi

onesome if set down in America. On

fight in

you lik

u ever w

thing to speak of. Bu

eer, ach, I seem to live in another country. I hear music i

urity of her speech and the freedom with which she spoke. The average peasant is diff

is you

etc

name; it is

he us

oncealed his surprise: "You ha

ad and write and do

hey might gather and strike at any time. And who but the French could produce such a woman spy? Ehrenstein was not Prussia, it was true; but the duchy with its twenty tho

ak French, He

e in no way disguised. No Frenchwoman would sacrifice her hands for her country; at least, not to this extent. Ye

e been t

est. But he never knew that, with knowledg

not happy wi

t you be, and what might you be doing here

American

took a

ng that will bit

I have been d

y, h

she had no definite

nel Wallenstei

to it. I am perfectly able to ta

annoye

true," sh

the poli

he say to a

I speak

ly do any good

rd me, and I am certain he would not

; insolence would become persecutio

ou are in trouble, you will find me at the Grand Hot

ck Eagle." And recollection rose in her mind o

ight,"

you,

d and Carmichael took it

you do

hand; it is

strong, Herr

made everything brighter. There was only one other who ever touched his hat to her respectfully. And as she stood there, dreaming ov

she whi

inst the wall that day smiled from under the dee

o was that sp

ael, the Amer

he arm in Gretc

is it,

hen any of these gentlemen speak to yo

e means

tain. Ah, how I lov

d drew his arm close

but two weeks ago. I ha

said Gretchen

was playi

am jealous

one the less

lonely to-night"-gloomily.

urs? And why should you

, in

love you, there i

t sh

in the bright daytime. What do you do during t

ittle longer, Gretchen

s. But wait till the music stops an

an adventure?"

Be s

ld never quite understand. There was a will little less than im

ture?" he demanded,

duke, and the two crowns. He laughed, an

s melting, the attendants were stacking the chairs, so the two

lectured the policeman, w

sure Colonel von Wall

truthfu

every man for himself, as your excellency knows. Had

ave appealed

the girl, but I have a

ften. The next time she is annoyed by Wallenstein or any one el

y do that, you

ent of his mind. Yet he did not cross the narrow side street. The sound of carriage wheels caused him to halt. He waited. The carriage he had seen by the fountain drew up

el's internal question. "Bah! Some la