Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-07

better than to meet the day as it 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 I'm the morning, but not green years.
Gretchen awoke as the birds awoke. with
snatches and little trilS of song. To her
nearest neighbors there was about her
that which reminded them of the regular
ity Of good clock: when they heard her
voice they knew it was time to get up.
She was always busy In the morning.
The tinkle of the bell outside brought her
to the door, and her two goats came pat
tering 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. She blew on her fingers.
The fire was down to the last ember; so
she went into the cluttered courtyard and
broke into pieces one of the limbs she
the season. The fire renewed its cheerful
crackle, the kettle boiled briskly and the
frugal breakfast was under way.
There was daily one cup of coffee, but
neither Gretchen nor her grandmother
claimed this luxury: it was for the sick
woman on the third floor. Sometimes at
the Black Eagle she had cup when her
work was done. but to Gretchen the
aroma exceled the taste. Her grand
mothers breakfast and her own out of
the way. she carried the coffee and bread
and a hot brick up to the invalid. Lhe
woman gave her two crowns a week TO
serve this morning meal Gretchen would
have cheerfully done the work for moth
ing.
What the character of the woman's i'll
ness was Gretchen hadn't an idea, but
there could be no doubt that she was i'll,
desperately. had the goose girl but known
1t. Her face was thin and the bones We're
Visible under the drumike skin, her
hands were merely claws. But she would
have no doctor: she would have 10 care
save that which Gretchen gave her,
Sometimes she remained in bed all the
day. She had been out of the house hut
once since she came. She mystified the
girl. for she never complained. never
asked questions. talked but little and al
ways smiled kindly when the pillow was
freshened.
Good morning. frau. said Gretchen.
Good morning. iiebchen
Il have brought YOU a brick this morn
ing. for it will be cold till the sun is
high.
Gretchen pulled the deal table to the
side IF the cot. poured out the coffee and
buttered the bread
II ought not to drink coffee. but it is
the only thing that warns me. You
have been very patient with me-
/ Il 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?'
Yes. When ] go ] shall not come
back. Under my pillow there is en-
velope. You will lind il and keep it,
Gretchen. young and healthy. touched
NOT this melancholy undercurrent She
accepted the lords at their surface value.
She knew nothing about death except by
hearsay.
You will promise to take it,
Yes. frau.
Thanks. little gosling | have an err
rand for you this morning. II will take
you to the palace.
ITO the palace echoed Gretchen.
Yes. Does that brighten YOU"
No. frau: II only surprises me. What
shall do?
You will seek her highness and give
her this note.
The princess Gretchen sadly viewed
her wooden shoes and rougllened hands.
Never mind your hands and feet: your
face will open any gate or door for you.
Il have never been to the palace viii
they not laugh and turn me OUT?
IF they try that, demand to see his eN-
cellency Count Won Herbeck, and say
that you came from forty Krumerweg.
Gretchen shuddered with a mixture of
apprehension and delight. To meet and
speak to all these great ones.
.'And il I cannot get in?''
tTo be continued tomorrow