Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-09

because it is sweet and because 1t was
made for mans pleasure and not fol
his pain"
"That sounds like a copy book,
laughed Gretchen. "The withered rose
should teach you lesson"
"What lesson?
"That whatever a woman gives to
man withers in the exchanged rose,
q woman's love-"
Said l reproachfully: "You are spoil,
ing a very pretty picture. What do
you know about philosophy?
"What does herr know about rosesT'
defantly.
Much. One cannot pick too many
fresh ones. And let me tell you les
son which you should have learned
among these roses. Nature teaches US
to love all things fresh and beautiful
q rose, q face, a woman's love-"
"Here," holding forth a great red
rose.
NO." said l; "I'll keep this one."
She said nothing, but went on snip
ping q red rose here, white one there.
She wore gloves several sizes too large
for her, so l judged that her hands
were small and tender, perhaps white.
And there was a grace In her move
ments, despite the ungainly dress and
shoes, which suggested a more inti-
mate knowledge of velvets and silks
than Of calico. In my minds eye !
placed her at the side Of Phyllis. Phyl-
lis reminded me Of e Venus whom ma
ture had whimsically left unfinished.
Then she had turned from Venus to
Diana, and Gretchen became evolved.
Diana slim and willowy. A sculp-
tor would have said that Phyllis might
have been q goddess and Gretchen a
wood nymph had not nature suddenly
changed her plans. What ! admired
in Phyllis was her imperfect beauties.
What l admired In Gretchen was her
beautiful perfections. And they were
so alike and yet so different Have
you ever seen a body Of fresh water
ruffied by a sudden gust Of wind. the
cool blue green tint which follows?
Then you have seen the color OF
Gretchen's eyes. Have you ever seen
ripe wheat in a sun shower? Then
you have seen the color Of Gretchen's
hair. All in oil, l was forced to admit
that, from an impartial and artistic
view, Gretchen the barmaid was far
more beautiful than Phyllis. From
the standpoint Of a lover 1t was al
together a different matter.
"Gretchen," said l. "you are very
good looking"
ut would not be difficult to tell
herr's nationality"
(Which means
"That the American says in one sen.
tence what 1t would take German or
a Frenchman several hundred SEN
tences to say" Gretchen was growing
more interesting every minute.
"Then your mirror and are not the
only ones who have told you that you
are as beautiful as Hebe herself?"
81 am not Hebe," coldly. 81 am a
poor barmaid. and l never spill any
wine"
$50 you understand mythology% I
cried in wonder.
"Does herr think that all barmaids
are as ignorant as fiction and Ill mean
ing novelists depict them2 l have had
a fair education"
"If l ever was guilty Of thinking sc" )"
said l, answering her question, 81
promise never to think so again"
"And now will herr go to his break
fast and let me attend to my dutiesT"
"Not without regret" said gallant
ly. l bowed to her as they bowed In
the days of the beaus. while she looked
on suspiciously. At the breakfast table
| proceeded to lombard the innkeeper.
wanted to know more about Gret-
chen. "Is Gretchen your daughter" !
began.
"No; l am only her godfather" he
said. "Does herr wish another eggT'
Thanks. She is very we'll educated
for barmaid."
"Yes. Does herr wish Rhine wine"
Coffee is plenty. Has Gretchen seen
many Americans"
"Few. Perhaps herr would like q
knoblauch with salt and vinegar"
1t occurred to me that Gretchen was
not to be discussed, so l made for an
other channel. 81 have heard" said l,
that once upon a time princess was
born in this inn."
The old fellow elevated both eye
brows and shoulders "a deprecating
movement They say that Of every
inn. 1t has become trade" If had
known the old man. might have said
that he was sarcastic.
"Then there is no truth in it?" dis
appointedly.
"Oh, do not say there is no truth In
the statement. If herr will pardon me,
it is something | do not like to talk
about"
"Ah, then there Is mystery" cried,
with lively interest, pushing back my
chair. But the innkeeper shook his
head determlnedly.
every WE'LL" laughed; 81 shall ask
Gretchen"
He smiled. The smile said. Much
good it will do you" Gretchen was In
the barroom arranging some roses over
the fireplace. Her hands were bare;
they were small and white and sur.
prisingly we'll kept.
"Gretchen," said I, 81 want you to
tell me the legend Of the inn."
'The legend?"
"Yes; about the princess who was
born here"
Gretchen laughed merry laugh. The
laugh said. "You are an amusing per-