Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-09-30
CHAPTER VI.
GRETCHEN's DAY.

KE1CHEN was always up
when the morning was rosy.
when the trees were still dark
~ and motionless and the beads
Of dew white and frostlike, for what Is
better than to meet the day as 1t comes
over the mountains and silence breaks
here and there in the houses and
streets, in the fields and the vineyards?
Let old age, which has played its part
and taken to the wings of the stage
let old age loiter in the morning. but
not green years. Gretchen awoke as
the birds awoke, with snatches and
little trills of song. To her nearest
neighbOrs there was about her that
which reminded them of the regularity
of good clock; when they heard her
voice they knew it was time to get up.
She was always busy in the morning
The tinklc of the bell outside brought
her to the door, and her two goats
came pattering In to be relieved Of
their creamy burden. Gretchen was
fond of them. They needed no care
at all. The moment she had MIXED
them they went tinkling off to the
steep pastures.
Even in midsummer the dawn was
chill in Dreiberg. Gretchen blew on
her fingers. The fire began its cheer
full crackle, the kettle boiled briskly, and
the frugal breakfast was under way
There was daily one cup Of coffee.
but neither Gretchen nor her grand
mother claimed this luxury: it was for
the sick woman on the third floor.
What the character of the woman's
illness was Gretchen hadn't an idea.
but there could be no doubt that she
was i'll. desperately, had the goose
girl but known It, Her face was thin
and the bones were visible under the
drumlike skin: her hands were merely
claws. She mystified the girl. for she
never complained. never asked ques-
tions, talked but little. and always
smiled kindly when the pillow was
freshened
Good morning. frau" said Gretchen.
Good morning. liebchen"
II have brought you brick this
mn hAhs7s IVA A. VIII NC COiu tliI tuC sun
is high
THANK YOU
Gretchen p:lled the Ceai table to
the side of the cot. poured cut the cof-
fee and buttered the bread.
II ought not to drink coffee. but 1t
is the only thing that warns me. You
have been very patient with me-
II am glad to help you"
"And that is why l love you Now.
I have some instructions to give you
this morning. Presently shall be
leaving. AMI there will be something
besides crowns"
you are thinking Of leaving"
"Yes. When l go l shall not come
back. Under my pillow there is an en-
velope. You will find 1t and keep It."
Gretchen, young and healthy. touch
ed not this melancholy undercurrent.
'You will promise to take it?"
Eyes. frau"
Thanks. little gosling. have an
errand for you this morning It will
take you to the palace"
ITO the palace!" echoed Gretchen.
"What shall dog"
''Ycu will seek her highness and give
her this note"
'The princess! Will they not laugh
and turn me outy"
IF they try that. demand to see his
excellency Count Won Herbeck and say
that you came from No. 40 Runner
veg"
And if l cannot get in?''
You will have no trouble Be sure,
though. to give the note to no one but
her highness"
Gretchen decked her beautiful head
with a little white cap. which she
wore only on Sundays and ut the
opera. and braided and beribboned her
hair. Who was this old woman who
thought nothing Of writing letter to
her serene highness? And who were
her nocturnal visitors? she pondered.
Being of u discerning mind. she idled
about the Platz till after 8. for 1t had
been told to her that the great sleep
rather late in the morning. What
should she say to her serene highness?
What kind of courtesy should she
make? At least she would wear no
humble, servile air. for Gretchen was
n bit of Socialist. Did not Herr
Goldberg. whom the police detested
did he not say that all men were
equal: And surely this sweeping
statement included women. With
confidence born of right and inno-
cence she proceeded toward the east
or side gates of the palace The sentry
smiled at her.
IL have a letter for her serene high
ness" she said.
Leave it,
Il am under orders TO give it to her
highness herself"
You cannot enter the gardens with
out permit"
Gretchen remembered "Will You
send some one 10 his exceiIcncy the
chancellor and tell him ] have come
from No. 40 krumerweG:"
"Krumerweg. The very name ought