The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-02-21

erything but caiumny.. Have ! made q
laughing stock Of you? It is nothing
to me. 1t would not have altered
my She was very white, and she
stroked her forehead.
| 'WellY said l.
| ut would not have altered my deter
! mination to take the sword in hand
again."
She put her hand to her throat as
though something there had frightened.
"Ah. am woman, for believe that.
am about to faint. No" imperious-
~ as ! threw out my arms to catch
her. 81 can reach the door alone with
out assistance"
And SO we went along. l did not
know what to do nor yet what to say.
A conflict was raging In my heart be-
! tween shame and love-shame that a
woman had fought for me and won
where l should have lost, love that
strove to spring from my lips in exulta-
ton. l knew not which would have
conquered had not espied the blood
on Gretchen's white hand.
"You are woundedv'I cried.
She gaZed at her hand as though she
did not understand: then, with little
sob and little choke, she extended her
arms toward me and stumbled. Was
ever there woman who could look on
blood without fainting? Gretchen had
not quite tainted, but the moon had
danced, she said, and all had grown
dim.
Gretchen, why did you risk your
life? In Gods name. what manner of
woman are you and where did you
learn to use the sword? Had you no
thought of me-" l was somewhat in
coherent.
mo thought of you?" She drew the
back of her hand over her eyes. mo
thought Of you? l did it because-be-
cause did not-I could not-you would
have been killed!'
| was a man-human. I loved her.
had always loved her. l had never
loved any one else. l was coward to
do what did, but l could not help it,
crushed her to my breast and kissed
her lips, not once, but many times.
How dare you" weakly.
How dare l, Gretchen, dear Gret-
chenY' said. 81 dare because I love
you! love you! Wha0is it to me that
you have dishonored me in the eyes of
men? Nothing. l love you. Are you
a barmaid? l care not. Are you con-
| spirator? l know not nor care. 1
know but one thing. l love you. 1
shall always love you. Shall tell you
more? Gretchen, you love me"
mo, no, it cannot ber' she sobbed,
pushing me back. 81 am the most
wretched woman in the world. Do not
follow me, herr. Leave me; beg you
to leave me. l have need of the little
strength left. Leave me. leave mew
And she passed through the doorway
into the darkness beyond. l did not
move from where l stood. l grew
| afraid that it was dream and that if
| feel her 1.-THE, warm body palpitatirg
in my arms. My lips still tingled and
| burned with the fame of hers. An
exultant wave swept over me. She
| loved me! She had not told me so, but
l knew. She had put her heart before
mine. My life was dearer to her than
her own. l could have laughed for joy.
She loved me! My love overwhelmed
! my shame. engulfed it. Then
II know you" said a harsh voice az
my elbow. 1t startled me. and wheel
| ed swiftly. 1t was the lieutenant's
| brother officer. II thought from what
| heard Of you that you were a man
| worth trouble and caution. Ach, you.
| the man we have secured the country
for? should not have believed 1t.
To let woman fight for him! And
| a goddessw with enthusiasm. IF I
was betrothed to her. I'd find her If
| I had to hunt in heaven and hell for
| her. And what does she see in you"
He snapped his fingers derisively. 81
warn you that your race is run. You
! cannot leave a railway station within
| the radius of hundred miles. The
best thing you can do is to swim the
river and stop in the middle. The
| prince is at the village, and he shall
know. Woe to you, you meddler!'
young man." said a voice from over
my shoulder from the doorway. "you
should by right address those imperti-
nent remarks to me. am Hillars, the
man you seek"
And l had forgotten his very ex-
istence! What did he know? What
had he seen?
"You may inform Count Won WS1-
den." continued Dan, 'that I shall
await his advent with the greatest Of
Impotence. Now let me add that you
are treating this gentleman with much
injustice. III stake my life on his
courage The Princess Hildegarde is
alone responsible for what has just
happened"
'The Princess Hildegardev' I cried.
| Hillars went on: "Why she did this
is none of your business or mine.
Why she substituted herself concerns
her and this gentleman only. Now go,
and be hanged to you and your prince
and your count and your whole stupid
country. Come, Jackw
The fellow looked first at me, then
at Dan.
81 apologize" he said to Dan. "for
mistaking this man for you" He click
ed his heels, swung around and march
ed off,