The Goose Girl

ed one of a person who was afraid of being followed. The shadow of the towering bergs lay upon it, and the few stars that peered down through the narrow crevice of rambling gables were

had an evil name, now it p

bbles pitted here and there with mud-holes. They were arm in arm, and they la

retchen, for the vintner had ne

short enough!" He encircled her with his arms a

c. This handsome boy loved her. Buffeted as she had been, she could separate the false from the true. Come never so deep a sorrow, there would alway

For this handsome fellow was to be her husband when the

; but there was tragedy in his hear

t I'd bring my man home and let her see how handsome he is. She is always saying that we need a man about; and yet, I can do a man's

en, Gre

it?" keenly. "There wa

ing else, nothing, neither riches nor crowns, nothing

wee

years? Have I not alwa

walked some twenty odd miles; yet you helped me with the geese. There were almost tears in your eyes, but I knew that y

ierce tenderness, and so strong was he in the moment that Gretchen gave a cr

town itself, solid and grim and taciturn. There are some houses which talk like gossips, noisy, obtrusive and provocative. Number forty was like an old warrior, gone to his chair by the fire

rocured by Gretchen herself. At present the two stories were occupied; the second by a malter and his brood of children, the third by a woman who was partially bedridden. The lower or ground floor of four rooms she reserved for herself. As a matter of fa

the living-room. A log smoldered dimly on the irons. Gretchen ran forward, turned over the log, lighted two candles, then kissed the old woman seated i

am, gran

with you?" sharpl

n gaily, her eyes brigh

him n

other and motioned to the vintner to sit down. He did so, easily and without

s fallen in, a cobweb of wrinkles round her eyes, down

from? You are n

andmother," forcing

rather gra

r na

rich, a vintn

e a Hanoverian

n both countries. I have w

me you

other smoothed it out upon her own and bent her shrewd eyes. Silence. Gretchen could hear the malter stirring ab

ngs here," said the pal

u see?" asked G

der and fire; devastation. I do not see you, young man, among those who tramp with guns on their shoulders. You ride; there

ight, his chin truc

he mu

sank; there was

dmother," sh

hose belief in prescience till this

age, vintner." Her gnarled hand seized hi

!" Gretchen

len

withdrew his

ar and a cheat? Is it the

Oh, I can not see everything; it is like seeing people in a mist. They p

mankind I would gladly declare it. Gretchen shal

old woman's form re

said Gretchen. "Now,

ok the hand. She

al heart and a pure mind. I read that you are in love and that some day

hand at all, grandmother,

in your face." The grandmother spoke again to t

. "Have you any objection to my becoming yo

nterview was ended. But as he rose to his feet there was a sound outside. A carriage had stopped. Some one opened the door

ge going on up there," sa

ked the vintner i

d at night, three times a man muffle

long as the police are not brought to our door, it is not our affair. Leopold, Gretchen, give me your hands." She placed them o

e?" said

ter luck than to give you

his hat and Gretchen

a carter who, when he saw the vintner, turned and followed. Finally, when the vintner veered into the Adlergasse, he stopped, his h

lung down his arm passionately. "There will be a God up yonder," looking at the star

rter stepped into

ide, down the southern path of the mountains, the black squirrels in the branches, the red fox in the bushes, the clear spring, and the drink out of the tin cup which hung there for the thirsty! How prettily she had wrapped a leaf over the rusted edge of the cup! The leaf la

ive way, day after day, to those insane maunderings? His mood was savage; he was at odds with the world, and most of all, with hims

the circle several times, then he blundered into some one. The fighting mood was gone now, the walk having calmed

nt, my studi

idn't see you." C

really cares of state, that you walk five times round this fountain,

inded," Carmi

ays, my

. You have some

as absent-mindedness which made you step in betwee

chael was a

not, I b

ding his arms over his cane which he still held be

not fr

nocent girl, Colonel. You're no Herod. There was n

ey always beg

kind of hunting, but I'm sure you've

ve that you wer

should never come into life between you and me. I taught you draw-poker; you ough

but that girl's face has fascinated me.

hat if any one, no matter who, ever offers her disre

is med

t you like,

consider insulted, what will yo

matter to

stein

o redress there," tranqu

uld go

rther,"

you had drawn your

michael held out his hand amicably, "Gretchen is already in love with one of her kind. Let the c

friendly hand, saluted stiffly, wheeled abruptly, and l

raid of anything save this fool heart of mine. If he says an ill word to Gretchen, and I hear of it, I'll cane

ard the side gates of the royal gardens. The vehicle stopped there. But this time no woman came out. Carmichael would have recognized that lank form

an i

or disappeared, Carmich

through th

too lat

down the Strasse whil

cro

our horse be

ntle as a l

ved as one before long. Ca

d three made eight crowns; not

it was so unusual for a person of such particular habits as the chancellor to ride in an o

e the chancellor t

his excellency? He said

I was only jesting. Wh

erweg. He was there hal

ou take the

ly and apprehensively. "Her

accident that I stood near the g

. I did not see the lady's face, but she went into number forty,

uttered: "Krumerweg, crooked way, number forty. If I see this old side-paddle

g trundled in by the porter, while the concierge was helping a short, stocky man to the ground. He hurried into the hotel, signe

s and smiling after the manner of concierges born in Sw

f Carmichael, introductions to the grand duke, invitations to balls, and so fo

he slips which were to be

Grumbach,

probably be over to the consulate to-morrow t

tune and opportunity were about to knock on Carmichael's door.