Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-05-03
CHAPTER XX.
Copyright, 1000,
By Harold MaoGrsth.

When | whispered these words, eX-
pected n gentle pressure from Gret-
chen's fingers, which rested lightly on
my arm. But there was no sign. and
grew troubled. The blue green eyes
tparkled, and the white teeth shone
between the red lips. Yet something
was lacking.
LET us go into the conservatory"
she said. 1t was merely a ruse OF
mine | want no supper. have much
10 say TO you"
Somehow we selected by mutual ac-
cord seat among the roses. There
was small fountain, and the waters
sang in murmurous music. Ii SEEM
ed too early for words, so we drew
our thoughts from the marble and the
water. As for me, | looked at, but did
not see, the fountain. 1t was another
scene. There was n garden in which
the roses grew in beautiful disorder.
There were a man and woman in the
garden. She was culling roses, while
the man looked on with admiring eyes.
Eyes" said the princess, ''all that
was a pretty dream. Gretchen was
fairy. and now she has gone from your
life and mine forever. My dear friend.
1t is a proSaic age We live in. Some
times we forget and dream, but
dreams are unreal. 1t is true that God
designs us, but the world molds us
and fate puts on the finishing touches"
She was smiling into my wonder
struck face. I'VE all have duties to
perform While passing. Some of us
are born with destinies mapped ont by
human hands. Some of lis arc free to
make life what we will. | am of the
first order, and you are of the second,
1t is as impossible to join the one
with the other as it is to make dia-
monds out of charcoal and water. Be-
tween Gretchen and the Princess
Hldegarde of Hohenphalia there is as
much difference as there is between
what smile shall | use, the possible
and the impossible"
Gretchen" | began.
"Gretchcn?" The princess laughed
amusedly. "She is flown. | beg you
not to waste thought on her men,
ory."
Things were going badly for me. l
did not understand the mood 1t
brought to mind the woman poor Hill
lars had described to me in his rooms
that night in London. l saw that |
was losing something so | made what
l thought a bold stroke. | took from
my pocket wthered rose. | turned it
from ono hand IN tho other
ut appears that when Gretchen gave
me this it was as an emblem of her
love. Still gave her all my heart"
"If that be the emblem of her love
herr, throw it away. 1t is not worth
the keeping"
And Gretchen sent me letter
once" | went on.
"Ah, what indiscretion!'
1T began with i love you and end
ed with that sentence. l have worn
the writing away with my kisses"
How some men waste their ener
giesv'
your highness," said l, putting the
rose back into my pocket, did Gret
chen ever tell you how she fought {
uuel lOE LIE DpcuuSt ucE llle WAS leSs
to her than mine"
The Princess Hildegardes smile stiff
ened, and her eyes closed for the brief
est instant.
"Ah, shall ! ever forget that night!
said |. Il held her to my heart ant
kissed her on the lips. was supreme
ly happy. Your highness has neve
known what thing of joy it is to kis
the one you love. 1t is one of thos
things which are denied to people VIII
have their destinies mapped out by hu
man hands"
The princess opened her fan and hit
her lips.
"And do you know" l continued
when Gretchen went away | had
wonderful dream"
"a dream? What was itW TIL
fan was waving to and fro.
II dreamed that a princess came Il
Gretchen's place, and she threw he
arms around my neck and kissed me O
her own free will"
"And what did she say. herr" Cel
tainly the voice was growing more Xix
Gretchen's.
I hesitated. To tell her what tn
dream princess had said would III
do all | had thus far accomplished
which was too little.
st will not interest your highness,
said |.
"Tell me what she said. l comman
it," And now | was sure that ther
was a falter in her voice.
"She said-she said that she love
me-"
Continue"
"And that as she was princess an
and honor bound it could never be
l had to say it.
"That is it; that Is it. 1t could neve
be. Gretchen is no more. The pril
cess who you say came to you in
dream was then but a woman
AYE, and such woman" | int
rupted. "As God hears me / woul
give ten years of my life to hold ht
again in my arms, to kiss her lips,
hear her say that she loved me. Blu
pardon nre, what were you going
say"
"Your dream princess was but W
man. All, well, this is Tuesday! Thur
day at noon she will wed the prime
1t is written"
"The devil" l let slip. was at IL
start again.
"Sir, you do him injustice"
"WhO, the princeT savagely.
mo, the-the devilv' She had full
recovered, and had no weapon left.
Gretchen, did you really ever lo'
meP