A Ward of the Golden Gate

e gold-laced, ostensible porter of the Strudle Bad Hof, not without some uncertainty, in a land of unif

ting; two were sitting by the window engaged in subdued but profitable conversation; and two Americans from Boston were contentedly imitating them on the other side of the room. A decent restraint, as of people who were not for a moment to be led into any foreign idea of social gayety at a watering-place, was visible everywhere. A spectacled Prussian officer in full uniform passed along the hall, halted for a moment at the doorway as if contemplating an armed invasion, thought better of it, and took his uniform away into the sunlight of the open square, where

ymptoms; and very good after that to turn into the Thiergarten, where the animals, were, however, chiefly of his own species, and shamelessly and openly amusing themselves. It was pleasant to contrast it with his first visit to the place three months before, and correct his crude impressions. And it was still more pleasant suddenly to recognize, under the round

so singular and yet so vaguely reminiscent in his peculiar walk and the exaggerated swing of his light bamboo cane that Paul could not only understand the childish wonder of the passers-by, who turned to look after him, but was stirred with a deeper curiosity. He quickened his pace, but was unable to distinguish anything of the face or features of the stranger, except that his hair under his cocked hat appeared to be tightly curled and powdered. Paul's companion, who was amused at what seemed to

tes of America-resplendent with the fruits and palms of Mauritius, and peopled exclusively with Paul and Virginia's companions in striped cotton, Hathaway managed to keep a composed face, until the arrival of the good Southern planter St. Clair as one of the earlier portraits of Goethe, in top boots, light kerseymere breeches, redingote and loose Byron collar, compelled him to shrink into the upper corner of the box with his handkerchief to his face. Luckily, the action passed as the natural effect upon a highly sympathetic nature of religious interviews between a round-faced flaxen-haired "Kleine Eva" and "Onkeel Tome," occasionally assisted by a Dissenting clergyman in Geneva bands; of excessive brutality with a cattle whip by a Zamiel-like Legree; of the sufferings of a runaway negro Zimm

clare it to be a tissue of falsehoods unworthy the credence of a Christian civilization like this-unworthy the attention of the distinguished ladies and gentlemen that are gathered here to-night. Tell him, sir, he has been imposed upon. Tell him I am responsible-give him my card and address-personally responsible for what I say. If he

wk's beak over his quarry, his iron-gray moustache, now white and waxed, parted like a swallow's tail over his handsome mouth, and between him and the astounded "Direction" stood the apparition of the Allee-George

ated and made his own the grotesque inversions and ponderous sentimentalities of Teutonic phrasing, Paul could not guess; but it was with breathless wonder that he presently became aware that, so perfect and convincing was the old man's style and deportment, not only the simple officials but even the

sition that Paul had lately held, and was quick to apply it. Intensifying for a moment the grandiloquence of his manner, he called upon his master's most distinguished and happily arrived old friend, the Lord Lieutenant Governor of the Golden Californias, to corroborate his statement. Colonel Pendleton started, and grasped Paul's hand warmly. Paul turned to the already half-mollified Director with t

ime, Mr. Hathaway, I should have insisted upon you, as the stranger, supping with me; but since the absence of-of-the rest of my party-I have given up my suite of rooms at the Bad Hof, and have taken smaller lodgings for myself and the boy at the Schwartze Adler. Miss Woods and Miss Arguello have accepted an invitation to spend a few days at the villa of the Baron and Baroness v

believe it," sa

ion-the position, sir, t

, Paul returned, "I am glad to hear it. The more particularly as, I

premeditated deliberation-"I have been credibly informed that the King can, in certain cases,

ick glance at

g of these parts can, on her marriage with a nobleman-blank it all!-ennoble her father and mo

ting 'noble lands,' or estates that carry hereditary titles with the

"He gets it from the other servants. I don't speak th

his fluency, certainly," s

t as fah, sah-as fah as de IDIOTISMS ob de language goes. Sah-it's gen'lly allowed I'm dar! As to what Marse Harry says ob de ignobling ob predecessors, I've had

ed away he turned to Paul: "What he says is true: he's the most popular man or boy in all Strudle Bad-a devilish sight more than his master-and goes anywhere where I can't go. Princes and princesses

esses the charact

ou can't do anything here without a uniform. And they tell me

ence of his companion. Perhaps experience had told him it would come soon enough. So he spoke carelessly of himself. How the need of a year's relaxation and change had brought him abroad, his journeyings, and, finally, how he had been advised by his Germa

n fashion, I may say-still, her guardian. I am an old man, with neither kith nor kin myself, sir-I'm a little too old-fashioned for the boys over there"-with a vague gesture towards the west, which, however, told Paul how near it still was to him. "But

rfectly satisfied," said Pa

understand, of an elderly woman of society. That seems to be the style here, you know-a chaperon, they call it. Now, Milly Woods, you see, is about the same age, and the Dona Anna,

s still of your p

although by reason of their absurd ignorance of geography and political divisions out here, there is a prevailing impression that she is a South American. A fact, sir

ing George-thought the popular belief not so wonderful. He was even forced to admit that the perfect unconsciousness on the part of master and man of any incongruity or peculiarity in themselves assisted the public misconception. And it was, I fear, with a feeling of wicked delight that, on entering the hotel, he hailed the evident consternation of those correct fellow-countr

year, when they were on the Italian lakes, there was a certain prince-Mr. Hathaway would understand why he did not mention names-who was not only attentive to her, but attentive to HIM, sir, by Jove! and most significant in his inquiries. It was the only occasion when he, the colonel, had ever spoken to her on such subjects; and, knowing that she was not indifferent to the fellow, who was not bad of his kind, he had asked her why she had not encouraged his suit. She had said, with a laugh, that he couldn't marry her unless he gave up his claim of succession to a certain reigning house; and she wouldn't accept him WITHOUT IT. Those were her words, sir, and he could only say that the prince left a few days afterwards, and they had never seen him since. As to the princelings and counts and barons, she knew to a day

upted Paul, fixing his bri

onel, hastily. "Of course it was only an illustrati

he. Paul turned away his eyes, and seemed absorbed in reflection. After a moment the colonel coughed, p

struck Paul so pathetically as being as much physical as mental, as if he had suddenly been overtaken in some exertion by the weakn

y dear colonel,"

would be strange if you did not; it would appear to everybody still stranger. Give me your word a

ready settled by you beyond disturbance or discussion. But do I understand you, that SHE has shown any uneasiness regarding it?

he colonel hurriedly. "

r refer to the subject myself, and that if SHE should question me again regar

however, exhibiting much relief in his

she was absent for s

to Dona Anna, who arrives here with her br

the company of the Briones. It was not a pleasant coincidence. Yet he was

't fancy the broth

ecked him in time. He only said, "I don't remember whether I had any cause for disliking Don Caesar; I can tell better when I see him again," and changed the subject. A few moments later the colonel summoned George from some lower region of the hotel, and rose to take h