Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-11

. 70 youngl what will you do hereT ''I do not know" ''You are not of our landr "No." "And these arc such bad times, i" said the l old woman, sadly. Every one looked at with suspicion, the police ever on the watch | for spies and traitors. Arc you of France7 Your tongue seems to say so." ''I como from Normandy" "But you arc we'll bornr "I am a peasant2" "Gott in Himmell And what brings you here7 You arc not prisoner7" ''No. thank Godl I was brought here against my will; but I am pursued by ene- mics. ruthless and interruptions" "And if they find you2" "A fate worse than death awaits me-" The woman looked ather own bright-faced, buxom daughtet-a mothers compassion. a woman's pity for this friendless. beautiful creature orept into her heart.
 ''If can serve you in any way. will" she said. gently. "Tell mo but one thing-it Is not sin that has driven you to such @ fato?"
 "As God hears me-no."
 "Thsn will do my best to help you, if you will let me-"
 "You are 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 fear-no trouble will come of it. Tell me, first. are you likely to be soughtp'
 "Yes and by men clever and unscrupu- lous."
 DO you think you have been tracked here2"
 "No, I met no one. took all the lonelest and poorest streets. shall not be missed till tomorrow at noon."
 "Gutw muttered the old woman. "Now, Gretchen. thou art quick of wit. Dost think 1t possible to harbor this poor girl until the search is over-until some plan for her safe l return to her own land can be formsd?" The girl sat looking thoughtfully at the strangers beautiful face. "She does not look like one of us," she said, emphatically, "and her hands are those ! of lady," The stranger flushed with evi- 1 dent embarrassment.
 "Not so," she said. My mother was a | peasant-my life, till within the last few months, was simply peasants life. l am no lady,"
 1 "It would be hard to believe that" an- l swered Gretchen, admiringly. "Stay-let me 1 think. Mother" she said suddenly, "I have plan."
 'Thou wort ever clever girl, Gretchen" said her mother, approvingy. "Let us hear | It."
 1 "You remember whom Cousin Fritz was here summer ago2"
 "Assuredly," said the old woman, looking | puzzled. But what has that to do with thy plan7"
 Patience" said the girl, smiling content. edly. "He left behind him his peasants dress of tho Odenwnld. Do you remember that7"
 "Yes; 1t is in thy chest. do but wait the first opportunity to return 1t to him"
 "Well, If you, fraulein, do not object, here Is disguise for you that will defy your ene mics. am quite sure of 1t. To all inquiries we can say that you are brother of Fritz he has many-and no one will molest you You may stay hero. then, as long as you please"
 "But her hair. Gretchen. and her face; |, Is so truly woman's faceP
 "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 now protector. "Oh. how can thank you enough7 Such kindness and compass sion to an utter stranger Is lndeeQ beyond all my powers to recompense."
 "My child" said the old woman, gently, "I have a daughter too. Had Heaven willed that the fortune of war should be reversed, had she boon in 8 strange land, at the mercy of a cruel foe, would have prayed that God might raise up for her some such protection as 1t is In my humble power to offer you. Say no more."
 The girl did not speak she only knelt al tho foot of her preserver. and shed such grateful, thankful tears as for long had moi relieved her weary brain.
 "Come and rest now," said Gretchen kindly; "you must be tired and spent. To- morrow you will cut of your hair and as. sume this dress; think you need fear no discovery then"
 "Is she not clever, this Gretchen?" asked the mother, admiringly. "To think that she should have invented so wise plonr'
 'You are syood-too good," said the girl "but cannot live on your charity. You ar' poor and work hard-that see. It Is not fl that you should be burdened with othe cares"
 ''Do not vex myself. We will find the work soon enough" said the old woman cheerily. "It was but today. I was saying tt Gretchen scarce knew .how to manage tn additional labor we had undertaken. Wt , wash for the garrison, you must know. The girl started, and turned her white fac and wild sad eyes on her informant. ''For the garrison" she faltered, "wher the prisoners are7" 3 "The same Art thou frightened? It nee
 not alarm thee. Thou:wilt not be seen by tn ! guard, ever; but the work is ready for the v to do if thou has the strength and the will.
 "I have both." q "It Is we'll The little closet yonder will y for thy sleeping-place, and now talk no nor l of charity, thy wages will support thee-fo . the rest"
 "For the rest" said Gretchen, gayly. 'yo p bring your own welcome, Cousin Hans, for s
 we must call you." l "Ah, of a certainty thou choosest the nan, a nearest thy heart. Gretchen" {" laughed he l uoothar ssShe is betrothed to a soldier. on