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.