The Princeton union., 1901-02-28

method. Gretchen and the innkeeper:
were in the old hall / entered and
threw my traps into a corner. AS they
turned and saw me consternation was
written on their faces. f7e< Z
= have found you at last" I said,
holding out 4 hand to each of them.
The innkeeper thrust his hands behind
his back and sauntered leisurely to-
ward the window Gretchen showed
signs OF embarrassment, and her eyes
were studiously fixed on the cracks
which yawned here and there in the
floor. Ny hands fell unnotfced.
You have been looking for us ?" she
asked IN even tones. "Why have your
Vaguely l gazed at her, at the inn
keeper, then at my traps in the corner
It was apparent that was an intruder
ISstruck my forehead in anger and de-
spair. Triple fool that was!sI was
nothing to her. She had told me so,
and Ilhad not believed. - = -
Eyes; why?" asked the innkeeper,
turning around. -.-
bling, ':that am an unwelcome guest.
Is it not so?, 6 -
ooh, as for that" said the innkeeper,
observing Gretchen, "this is a public
inn on the highway. All wayfarers
are Of necessity welcome" -
go, then, and prepare me supper" :"
said l. II am indeed hungry, having
journeyed far" l wanted him out Of
the room.
The innleeper, a puzzling smile on
his lips, passed out.
"Gretchen," 1 burst forth, Gin heav-
ems name what does this mean?
have hunted for you day after day,
week after week, month after month.
/ have travelled the four ends of the
continent. I have lived-oh, do not
know how have lived! And when
do find you it is for this" My voice
broke, and l. was positively on the
verge Of tears.
"And was all this fair to her?' asked
Gretchen coldly.
''To her? I do not understand,'
II mean, was all this fair to my sis
ter?"
"Gretchen," light piercing the dark
ness, 'has she not written to you?'
ga long time ago. She wanted to see
me on an important matter, but could
not change my plans at the time.
shall see her at the palace next week.
Ought you not to be with her instead
of here?"
"Why should be with her?'
Gretchen laughed. but the key was
false.
care you not going to marry her?
Surely it is easy after the king has CIV
en- his permission. Have you already
fallen out of love with her after all
your efforts to make her a princess?
Truly man is as unstable as sand and
water All, but you fooled us all to the
top of your bent. You knew from the
first that she was a princess, but you
could not find the proofs. Hermann
and were the means to the end. But
who shall blame you? Not l. am
very grateful to you for having given
to me a sister. And if you fooled me I
returned measure for measure. 1t is
game and quit. Time hung heavy on
my hands, and the victory, however
short, was amusing"
Il never loved her!" cried. Where
were the words needed?
$50 much the worse for you," dis
dainfully. "But here comes Hermann
to announce your supper"
II shall not break the bread of inhos-
pitality," said l in the bitterness of my
despair. | gathered up my traps and
then l let them tumble back. The
needed words came with a rush to my
lips. / went. close to her. 'Why did
you humiliate yourself in begging my
life of the prince? Why if my life was
nothing to you? Answer Why did
you stoop to your knees to that man if
I was worthless to you? Why?"
Her cheeks grew red, then white.
Her lips formed words which she could
not speak.
Herr Winthrop's supper is ready"
announced the. innkeeper.
"Go and eat it," said childishly.
."Your appetite is gone thenW imper-
-Iui OdOly
eyes, and get you gone with itw
The innkeeper surveyed for a space.
'.Will you kindly tell me from whom
you received the information that her
highness was at the inn?"
l produced the unsigned letter. He
read it carefully, while Gretchen look
ed on nervously.
"Ach," said the innkeeper, that
Stahlberg! He shall be dismissed"
Unhappily for him that Individual
was just passing along the corridor.
The innkeeper signaled him to ap-
proach.
'tHow dared you?" began the inn
keeper, thrusting the letter under
Stahlberg's nose.
~"Dare? I? Herr" said the big fel-
low, do not understand. What is
it you accuse me off,"