The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-06-21

so young What will you do here2"
II do not know"
"You are not of our land9"
"No."
And these are such bad times" said the
old woman, sadly. every one looked at
with suspicion, the police ever on tho watch
for spies and traitors. Are you Of Francey
Your tongue seems to say So"
81 come from Normandy"
"But you are well born2"
81 am IL peasant?"
"Gott in Himmel! And what brings You
here? You are not prisoner?"
'No, thank God! 1 was brought here
against my will; but 1 am pursued by enc
mics. ruthless and unscrupulous."
"And if they find your"
"a fate worse than death awaits me-"
The woman looked ut her own rght-faced,
buxom daughtel-a mothers compassion.
woman's pity for this frlendless, beautiful
creature crept into her heart
'1f l can serve you in any way, will, !" she
said, gently. "Tell me but one thing-it is
not sin that has driven you to such a fate?"
Gas God hears me-no."
L Will w MY DoSI W uClp you, IL YOU
will let NO."
"You arc very good" the girl said wearily,
"but no one can help me, and if you get your
self into trouble for my sake, shall never
forgive myself"
you need not fcar-no trouble will come
of ii. Tell me. first, are you likely to be
soughtp
"Yos; and by men clever and unscrupu-
!ous."
"Do you think you have been tracked
herc?"
"No, met no one. took ull the loneliest
and poorest streets. shall not be missed
till tomorrow ut noon."
Gut" muttered tho old woman. "Now,
Gretchen, thou art quick OF wit. Dost think
It possible to harbor this poor girl until tho
search is ovcr-until some plan for her safe
return 10 her own land can be formed?"
The girl sat looking thoughtfully ut tile
strangers beautiful face.
"She does not look like ono of u.s." she
said, emphaticaly, "and her hands are those
Of lady" The stranger flushed with evil
lent embarrassment.
mot so," she said. "My mother was
peasant-my life, till within the last few
months, was simply peasants life. am
no lady"
sit would be hard to believe that" an
swered Gretchen, admirinsly. "Stay--let me
think. Mother" she said suddenly, 81 have
plan"
"Thou wort ever clever girl, Gretchen"
said her mother, approvingly. "L:t US hear
It,"
"You remember when Cousin Fritz was
here summer ago?"
"Assuredly," said the old woman, looking
puzzled. "But what has that to do with thy
plan?"
Patience" said the girl, smiling content
edly. "He left behind him his peasants
dress of the Odonwald. Do you remember
that?"
Eyes; it is in thy chest. do but wait the
first opportunity to return it to him."
"Well, if you, fraulein, do not object, here
is disguise for you that will defy your ene-
mics. l am quito sure of it. 10 all inquiries
we can say that you are brother of Fritz
he has maryland no one will molest you.
You may stay hero. then, as long as you
please"
'But her hair, Gretchen, and her face; 1t
is SO truly Il womans face"
my hair is soon dispensed WITH" cried
the stranger eagerly, as she rose to her feet
and clasped the brown, hard, wrinkled hands
of her new protector. 'Oh, how can thank
you enough? Such kindness and compass
sion to an utter stranger is indeed beyond all
my powers to recompense."
MY child" said the old woman, gently, 81
have a daughter too. Had Heaven willed
that tho fortune OF war should be reversed,
had she been in IL strange land, at tho mercy
OF n cruel foe, 1 would have prayed that God
might raise up for her some such protection
as it is in my humble power 10 offer you.
Say no more"
The girl did not speak; she only knelt at
the foot of her preserver, and shed such
grateful, thankful tears as for long had not
relieved her weary brain.
Come and rest now," said Gretchen,
kindly; "you must be tired and spent. To-
morrow you will cut Off your hair and as
sumo this dress think you need fear no
discovery then"
"Is she not clever, this Gretchen?" asked
the mother, admiringly. "To think that sho
should have invented SO wise plunr
"You arc good-too good" said the girl,
"but cannot live on your charity. You are
poor and work hard-that see. 1t is not fit
that you should be burdened with other
cares"
'Dc not vex thyself. We will find thee
work soon enough" said the old woman,
cheerlly. at was but today, was saying to
Gretchen l scarce knew how to manage the
additional labor we had undertaken. We
wash for the garrison, you must know"
Tho girl started, and turned her white face
and wild sad eyes on her informant.
"For the garrison" she faltered, "where
the prisoners are?'
"The same. Art thou frightened? 1t need
not alarm thee. Thou wilt not be seen by the
guard, ever; but the work is ready for thee
to do if thou has the estrength and the will.
81 have both"
1T is well. The little closet yonder will do
for thy sleeping-place, and now tall no more
of charity, thy wages will support thee-for
tho rest"
"For the rest" said Gretchen, gayly, "you
bring your own welcome, Cousin Hans, for SO
We must call YOU"
"Ah, OF II certainty thou choosest tho name
nearest thy heart, Gretchen!' laughed her
mother. ''She is betrotheI to Il soldier, ono
Hans BONNER, thou must know. He belongs
to the garrison-a good man and of tender
heart. He comes here sometimes. Nay, do
not tremble SO; thou needst not see him."