Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-09-04
SHE DID TT FOR LOVE.

1t was Shrove Tuesday night in the year
1874 night memorable in the kingdom
Of Saxony as one Of almost unprecedented
GOODNESS. Three travellers on horseback
were on their way from Breslau across the
Bresengebirge, the giant mountains, to
Dresden, a distance Of some $50 miles.
Railways in those days were almost I'M
known in most of the German provinces.
Men of means rode in caravans with their
servants, while the poorer classes were
either Obliged to walk, or, if their means
SO allowed, rode on mules.
Our three friends seemed to belong to
the former class They were not attended
by lixeried servants, nor had they largo
supplE of provisions, but their command
I'M figures and general appearance would
lead one to suppose that they were men in
the higher walks of life.
AS they approached the side of noun
tain torrent one of the three caught sight
Of an old pilgrimage church. Come,
Waldemar, he exclaimed, 1--WE can take
an hours rest here. Our horses need it,
and we still have sufficient food for one
lunch" All three dismounted, and, hay
ing tied their horses, were about to enter
the church when peasant came up, with
two dogs at his heels. IA bad night, :"
said the former speaker as the man halted
before him II fear we will not reach
Dresden before daybreak, and the weather
is not improving"
"Thirty five more miles before you, - re-
piled the peasant, "and it's terrible gale.
But if your lordships care to larry there's
an inn not so far distant"
"Where?" asked all three together.
"Just one mile from here" he replied.
"You'll have no trouble finding it, sirs,
because you'll see the lights from the oil
room as soon as you finish the forest. /"
"a thousand thanks, good man. re-
Piled the strangers, and, dropping piece
Of silver into his hand, they remounted
their horses.
They had not been riding more than ten
minutes when they came in sight of the
old German inn. 1t was large dreary
looking stone house, the ruins no doubt Of
some noted castle which had taken an i'm
portant part in the German wars
can old landmark, suppose, remark
ed Waldemar, who seemed to be the leader
of the party. As he spoke he knocked Wig
orously at the door. His summons were
answered by neat, smart looking German
girl, who appeared at window to ask who
the strangers might be at such late hour.
.Wilhelm Rous, Henry Cluber and Waldo
mar Bleneau," one replied. "We'd like to
put up for the night, miss, if you can fur
pish us any kind of hospitality" Without
further questioning Gretien the innkeep-
er's daughter, opened the door, gave the
visitors seats and told boy near by to re-
lieve them of their baggage and put the
horses under shelter. She then led the
newcomers into small dining room and
ordered the cook to prepare supper Tor
them Immediately A meal, no matter
how plain, always has relish after long,
tiresome Journey, and so our friends en-
joyed hearty supper, although 1t was en-
tirely devoid of variety. They then retired
to an adjoining apartment, where the
guests Of the inn were passing away the
gloomy evening. 1t was large, bare
room. containing a number Of wooden
chairs and wide, open fireplace, around
which were gathered dozen or more men,
some smoking, some doing, while few
were trying to keep up conversation
which seemed to be tagging.
As the three men entered one OF the
group whispered, Good gracious, here's
Waldemar Bleneau, earl Of -, the great
favorite Of the emperor" Waldemar walk.
ed up to the group, and having returned
their greetings drew forward chairs for his
companions, who followed him. The con
versation now began to be Of more inter
| esting nature, and for more than an houl
the guests discussed the various questions
Of the day, when suddenly dreadful storm
arose. The wind, which had been bowling
since dusk, was now accompanied WIFI
hail and had become so powerful that tht
huge trees groaned under 1t and the ole
inn shook upon its foundation. The guests
were somewhat terrified and betook them
selves to telling ghost stories. Gretien, TIN
innkeeper's daughter, being anxious t.
listen, and having great popularity will
the old customers, was invited to join tn
party. One story after another was related
each one more terrifying than the other
when Waldemar Bleneau, in order to anus
his companions, challenged Gretien to g
out In the storm and walk as far as a grave
yard near by and bring him piece Of tn
hedgewood surrounding It, In return 70
her bravery he promised to grant her an,
favor she would ask him.
Gretien Goldsteen was pretty Germal
girl Of 10 years Though she had little ed
ucation, she was general favorite, and
wis owing to her genial ways that the I'M
retained any Of It's old customers. Sh
had light wavy hair, clear complexion
J and such bright blue eyes that they ha
won all the country lads in the vicinity
But she rejected them all but one Han
varole-the sections SON. Hans was poor
but Gretien thought him the best an
truest Lad in all Germany, and she wa
only waiting until he could procure mean
for q humble home to become his wife
Il was not an uncommon thing for th
guests to ask the pretty maid, "And no,
q your Hans" As good as ever" sh
. would answer, with sly laugh. So whe
! the wealthy nobleman, Waldemar Bleneau
offered Gretien whatever she would ask,
was 20 wonder that her large eyes fairl
sparkled. He could do 90 much for Hans
she thought, perhaps take him to his cal
. tie in Berlin and make him chief stewar
or clerk or maybe start him in some bus
ness 90 that he might some day be
wealthy citizen. And, after all, she wa
: not at all afraid Of ghosts, and when sh
, would return she'd just ask Waldemar
J help poor Hans along. All these thought
I 4 flashed through her mind In an instant
and without hesitation she accepted th