Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-09
CHAPTER VI
aRETcHEN's DAY.


~ and motionless and the beads
Of dew white and frostlike, for what is
better shan to meet the day as It comes
over tie mountains and silence breaks
here end there in the houses and
streets in the fields and the vineyards!
Let old age, which has played its par
and taken to the wings of the stage
let OH age loiter in the morning. but
not rreen years. Gretchen awoke az
the birds awoke, with snatches and
nttln trills of song To her nearest
neighbors there was about her that
which reminded them Of the regularity
of good clock; when they heard hel
voice they knew it was time to get up
] She was always busy In the morning
The tnkle 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 naked
them they went hnkiing OF to the
steep pastures.
!: Even in midsummer the dawn was
chill In Dreiberg Gretchen blew on
her fingers. The fire began its cheer
ful crackle, the kettle boiled briskly, and
the frugal breakfast was under way.
There was daily one cup Of coffee
mother claimed this luxury; 1t was fol-
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 Ill, desperately, had the goose
girl but known 1t. 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.
tons, talked but little. and always
smiled kindly when the pillow was
freshened.
Good morning. frau" said Gretchen
Good morning, Hebchen.''
J II have brought you a brick this
morning, for 1t will be cold till the sun
is high"
'Thank YOU
Gretchen pulled the deal table tc
the side of the cot. poured out the cot.
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 love you. Now.
have some instructions to give you
this morning. Presently shall be
leaving, and there will be something
besides CROWNS
( you are thinking Of leaving?"
! Eyes. When I go / 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. I have an
errand for you this morning. 1t will
take you to the palace"
! ITO the palace.' echoed Gretchen.
~What shall do?"
F: "You will seek her highness and give
her this note.''
1.-THE princess! Will they not laugh
and turn me out?"
/! IF they try that, demand to see his
'excellency Count Won Herbeck and say
that you came from No. 40 Runner
fweg"
"And il 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 little white cap, which she
wore only on Sundays and at the
opera, and braided and beribboned her
hair. Who was this old woman who
thought nothing Of writing letter to
ner serene highness? And who were
Iher nocturnal visitors? she pondered.
/ Being of a discerning mind, she idled
labout the Platz till after 8, for it had
been told to her that the great sleep
trather 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
( bit Of Socialist. Did not Herr
EGoldberg; whom the police detested
did he not say that all men were
equal? And surely this sweeping
statement included women. With a
tconfdence born Of right and limo
|cence she proceeded toward the east
|or side gates Of the palace. The sentry
lemiled at her.
i II have letter for her serene high
mess" she said.
\ Leave It."
i II am under orders to give it to her
|highness herself"
h you cannot enter the gardens with
out permit"
\ Gretchen remembered. "Will you
send some one to his excellency the
chancellor and tell him have come
from No. 40 Krumerweg"
/ "Kfumerwegl The very name ought
to close any gate. But girl, are you
speaking truthfully?"
i Gretchen exhibited the note. He
scratched his chin, perple1ed.
i run along. II they ask me I'll say
Fthat I didn't see you" The sentry re-
humed his beat.
Gretchen stepped inside the gates.
lind the real beauty Of the gardens
WAS revealed to her for tho. first time
htrange flowers she had never seen be-
fore. II was all fairyland There
were marble urns with hanging vines
hud marble statues.