Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-13
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BY HAROLD MACGRATH.
Copyright, 1900, by Harold McGrath.
CHAPTER TX.

river DaQk. w nat udQ l SluluDieu III
to? Here was an old inn with rather
a feudal air. but it was only one in q
thousand. common feature through
out the continent and yet why had the
gods. when they cast out Hebe, CHOSEN
tbis particular inn for her mortal resi-,
dence? The pipe solves many riddles,
and then sometimes it creates a den
sity. put my pipe into my pocket
and cogitated. Gretchen had brought
about new order Of things. A philo,
sophical barmaid was certainly nov
city. That Gretchen was philosophical
l had learned n the rose gardens; that
she was also used to giving commands
had learned In the onion patch. Hith-
erto l had held the onion in contempt;
already had begun to respect 1t.
Above all. Gretchen was q mystery,
the most alluring kind Of mystery-a
woman who was not what she seemed.
How we men love mysteries which are
given the outward semblance Of Di-
ana or a Venus! By and by my jour-
nalistic instinct awoke. Who are those
who fear the newspapers? Certainly
it Is not the guiltless. OF what was
Gretchen guilty? The innkeeper knew.
Was she one Of those many conspira'
tors who abound In the kingdom? She
was beautiful enough for anything.
And whence came the remarkable like
ness between her and Phyllis? Here
was q mystery indeed. had a week
before me. In that time might learn
something about Gretchen even If !
could solve nothing. | admit that 1t is
true that had Gretchen been plain It
would not have been worth the trou.
BILE. But she had too heavenly face.
too wonderful an eye, too delicious q
mouth. not to note her with concern.
l did not see Gretchen again that day.
but as was watching the moon climb
up, thinking of her and smoking few
pipes as an incense to her shrine. ]
heard her voice beneath my window.
1t was accompanied by the bass voice
Of the innkeeper.
But he is journalist. Is he safe?
Is anything safe from them?" came to
my ears in a worried accent. a bass.
So the innkeeper, too, was a socialist!
Said an impatient contralto. $50 long
as have no fear why should you"
each, you will be found out and
dragged backw was the lamentation in
q throaty baritone. Anxiety raises a
bass voice at least two pitches. 'lf
you would but return to the hills where
there is absolute safety!'
mo, l will not go back there. where
everything is so dull and dead. l have
lived too long not to read face at a
glance. His eyes are honest"
Thanks. Gretchen" murmured !
from above. was playing the listen
er. But, then. she was only a bar
maid.
"And it is so long," went on the con-
tralto, "since | have seen a mana
strong one-I wish to see II my power
Is gone"
"Ahaw thought l. $50 you have al
ready laid plans for my capitulation.
Gretchen!'
But" said the bass voice once more.
"supposing some Of the military should
straggle along? There might be one
who has seen you before. Alas. ! de-
spair! You will not hide yourself; you
will stay here till they find you"
fell to wondering what In the world
Gretchen had done. Il have not been
to the village since was little girl.
Dressed as am. who would recognize
me-? No one at the castle. for there is
no one there but the steward. Would
you send me away"
God forbid But this American!
You say you can read faces. How
about the other one!"
Silence
"Yes. how about himT"
Said Gretchen: I'VE are not infalli
BILE. And perhaps was then much to
blame"
"No. we are not infallible. That is
the reason why you should take no
chance" was the final argument Of the
innkeeper
Hush said Gretchen.
"Confound the pipe" muttered. 1t
had fallen over the window sill.
Five minutes passed. heard no
sound. CHANGING from the side Of the
window | saw that Gretchen and the
innkeeper were gone.
Yes. there wasn't any doubt about it;
Gretchen WAS Il conSpiratOr. The po
lice were hunting for her. and she was
threatened with discovery II was be-
yond my imagination what she could
have done. Moreover. she was rather
courting danger The military post
was only five miles down the river
The one thing which bothered me was
the him" who had suddenly intruded
upon the scene invisible. b.it there.
like RanUuo'S ghost. Perhaps her
beauty had iured some fellow to follow
her fortunes. and his overzeal or lack
of it had brought ruin to some plot.
"Gretchpn." said as jumped into
bed. "whOever he was. he must have
been Il duffrr"
Her serene highneSS the Princess
Hildrgarde was in Jericho. and l1illars
along with her. where | had consigned
them.
Next morning Gretchen waited upon
me at breakfast. She was quiet and
answered my questions in monosyl
lables Presently she laid Something
at the side of my plate. 1t VAS my
pipe. looked at her but the leads OF
nv eyes could not plumb the depths In
hers.
"Thanks." said |. 1T dropped from
nv window last night while ! was
plaving the disgraceful part of caves
dropper." dare say she had expected