The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-06-21

turned and saw me CONSERVATION was
written N their faces.
IL haze found you at last" said.
holding out a hand 10 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. My hands fell unnoticed.
You have been looking for usT she
asked in even tones. "Why have you"
Vaguely | gaZed at her, at the inn
keeper, then ut my traps in the corner.
1t was apparent that | was an intruder.
/ struck my forehead in anger and de-
spair. Triple fool that | was! | was
nothing TO her, She had told me so,
and had not believed.
"Yes; why?" asked the innkeeper,
turning around.
Il believe" said |, my voice trcm-
! Is il not sou
"Oh. 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 a supper"
said |. Il am indeed hungry, having
journeyed far" l wanted him out Of
the room.
The innkeeper, puzzling smile on
his lips, passed out.
Gretchen" 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. | have lived-oh, | do not
know how | have lived, And when
do find you IL is for this" My voice
broke. and was positively on the
verge Of tears.
"And was all this fair to herr" asked
Gretchen cOldly.
"To her? | do not understand"
at mean. was all this fair to my sis
teri"
Gretchen" light piercing the dark
ness. has she not written to you?"
"a long time ago. She wanted to see
RE 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 hereY
"Why should be with herY"
Gretchen laughed, but the key was
false.
Are 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 10 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 sister And If you fooled me l
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 herr l cried. Where
were the words | needed?
painfully. But here comes Hermann
to announce your supper"
IL shall not break the bread Of inhos-
pitality," said | in the bitterness Of my
despair. gathered up my traps and
then | 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
| 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 itr' said childishly.
Your appetite is gone thenY imper-
turbably.
yes, and get you gone with itv'
The innkeeper surveyed for a space.
"Will you kindly tell me from whom
you received the information that her
highness was at the imp
| 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 APP
proach.
How dared your began the inn
keeper, thrusting the letter under
Stahlberg's nose.
Dare? l? Herr" said the big fell
low, 81 do not understand. What is
it you accuse me of?'
This cried the innkeeper you
have written to Herr Winthrop and
told him that her highness was at the
inn. And you were expressly forbid
den to do So
Stahlberg looked around blankly. 81
swear TO heaven, herr'-
"Do not prevaricate," the innkeeper
interrupted you know that you
wrote this"
"Stahlberg," l cried excitedly, "tell