Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-02-22
CHAPTER IN.


10? Here was an old inn with rather
feudal air. but il was only one in a
thousand. a common feature through
out the continent and yet why had the
gods. when they east out HCbc. chosen
this particular inn for her mortal resi-
dcncey The pipe solves many riddles.
and then sometimes II creates Il den
sity. | put my pipe into my pocket
and cogitated. Gretchen had brought
about new order of things. y philo-
sophical barmaid was certainly nov
city. That Gretchen was philosophical
| had learned in the rose gardens; that
she was also used to giving commands
had learned in the onion patch. Ilith-
erto | had held the onion in contempt:
already | had begun to respect it.
Above all. Gretchen was a mystery.
the most allurlng kind of myStery-a
woman who was not what she seemed.
How we men love mysteries which are
given the outward semblance of a hi
ana or Venus! BY and by my jour
naliStic instinct awoke. Who are those
who fear the newspapers! Certainly
il Is not the guiltless. OF what was
Gretchen guilty? The innkeeper knew.
Was she one of those many cunSpira-
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 a mystery indeed. | had week
before me. In that time | might learn
something about Gretchen even if
could solve nothing. admit that it is
true that had Gretchen been plain it
would not have been worth the trou-
bic. But she had too heavenly face,
too wonderful an eye, too delicious a
mouth, not TO note her with concern.
| did not see Gretchen again that day,
but as | was watching the moon climb
up, thinking of her and smoking Il 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 a journalist Is he Safei
Is anything safe from them" came to
my ears in worried accent. Il bass
So the innkeeper too, was Il socialist.
Said an inpatient contralto, $50 long
as have no fear why should you!'
Zach, you will be found out and
dragged back!' was the lamentation in
tnroaty baritone. Anxiety raises a
bass voice at least two pitches. If
you would but return to the hills where
there is absolute safety"
mo, will not go back there, where
everything is so dull and dead. have
lived too long not to read face at a
glance. His eyes are honest"
Thanks Gretchen" murmured /
from above. | was playing the listen
err But, then, she was only bar
maid.
And it is so long" went on the con-
tralto, "since l have seen "a mana
strong one--I wish to see if my power
is gone"
"Ahaw thought 1. $50 you have al
ready laid plans for my capitulation,
Gretchen
But" said the bass voice once more,
''supposing some of the military should
struggle 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
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 oneT
Silence.
Eyes, how about him"
Said Gretchen: 1--WE are not infalli-
BILE. And perhaps was then much to
blame"
mo, we are not infallible. That Is
the reason why you should take nc
chance" was the final argument of the
innkeeper.
"Hushp' said Gretchen.
"Confound the pipe" l muttered 1t
had fallen over the window SILL
Five minutes passed. | heard no
sound CHANGING from the side of the
window l saw that Gretchen and the
innkeeper were gone.
Yes, there wasn't any doubt about it;
Gretchen was a conspiratOr The po-
lice were hunting for her, and she was
threatened with discovery. 1t was be-
yond my imagination what she could
have done. Moreover, she was rather
counting 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, but there
like Ranquo's ghost Perhaps her
beauty had lured some fellow to follow
her fortunes, and his overzeal or lack
of it had brought ruin to some plot.
Gretchen" said as l jumped into
bed, whoever he was, lie must have
been duffer."
Her serene highness the Princess
Hildegarde was in Jericho, and IIillars
along with her, where | had consigned
them.
Next morning Gretchen waited upoI
me at breakfast. She was quiet ant
answered my questions in monosyl
tables. Presently she laid something
at the side of my plate. Tt was my
pipe. looked at her, but the leads OF
my eyes could not plumb the depths IL
hers.
Thanks" said I. 1T dropped from
my window last night while | was
playing the disgraceful part Of caves
dropper." l dare say she had expected
anything but this candid confession
1t was very cunning in me. Shit
l..,ny,. that I I-1aaI.: Sln /.