Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-21
CHAPTER XVIII,-Continued.

SAAAAA 4 Al4S "A AAAs"OVl1t1AU
Hes queer codger and it's a queer
story. / don't believe have heard it all.
either. What was he really hunting for
with those glasses? l give it up
He was not angry with Grumbach;
rather he seemed to be. drawn to him
more closely than ever. Mad with love.
That was the phrase. He conned it over
and over; mad with love. That excused
many things. How strangely the chess
men were moved! Had Grumbach not
assisted in the abduction her highness
would in all probability have grown up
as other princesses. artificial. cold. re-
served, seldom touched by the fires of
animated thought or action. In fact, had
things been otherwise, he never would
have ridden with her highness in the
freshness of the morning-or fallen in
love with her. BY rights he ought to
curse Grumbach: but for him he would
still be captain of his heart. Mad with
love! There was no doubt of it. And
the phrase rang in his ear for some time.
Grumbach was indeed perturbed, and
this sensation was the result of what he
had not told his friend. Colt! What was
where his footsteps were leading him. He
went on, his teeth set strongly on the
horn mouthpiece of his pipe. his hands
damned in his pockets. And after a time
he woke. He was In the Adlergasse.
And of all that happy, noisy family. only
open doorways. for 1t was warm, a final
caress of vanishing summer, he saw q
fat. youngish woman. knitting wooden
hose. Two or three children sprawled
lance Of lip and forehead which marked
the dissatisfaction of the coquette mar
RED
'Tekla!' Grumbach murmured.
He was not conscious that he had
paused. but the woman was. She eyed
him with the mild Indifference of the boz
vine. Then she dropped her glance and
the shining needles clicked afresh. Grum-
bach forced his step onward. And for
this! He laughed discordantly. The
woman looked up again. wonderingly.
Now. why should this stranger laugh all
by himself like that?
Hans saw the sign Of the Black Eagle
and directed his steps thitherward. He
sat down and ordered beer, drinking it
quickly. He repeated the order. but he
did not touch the second glass. He threw
back the lid and stared at the creamy
frOth as a seer stares at his ball of
crystal. Carmichael was right; he was q
doddering fool. What was done was
not right 1t. And what right had con-
science to drag him back to Ehrenstein.
where he had known the bitterest and
happiest moments of his life? And yet,
Fdll as ne hight dl lIjo luflSiDiC IColi dIhl
called conscience, he saw Gods direction
In this return. Only he, Hans Grumbach,
knew and one other. And that other.
who?
Fat. Tekla was fat; and he had treas
ured the fair picture of her youth these
long years. Well, there was an end to
that. Little fat Tekla. to have nearly
overturned a duchy and never bit the
wiser! And then Hans became aware of
voices close at hand. for he sat near the
bar.
Eyes. frau. he is at work in the grand
dukes vineyards. And think. the first
day he picked nine baskets"
one who can pick their twelve And you
are to be married when the vintage is
done? You will make fine wife.
Gretchen"
and he a fine husband"
"And you will bring him a dowry, too.
But his own people; what does he say of
them"
"He has no parents: only an uncle,
who doesn't count. We shall live with
grandmother and pay her rent"
"And you are wearing a new dress"
admiringly.
Gretchen preened herself. Hans drop
ped the lid of his stein and pushed Ii
away. His heart always warmed at the
sight OF this goose girl. So she had
dowry and was going to be married? He
felt of his wallet and kindly thought
came into being. He counted down the
small change for the beer. slid back his
chair and sauntered to the bar. Gretchen
recognized him and the recognition
brought smile to her face.
: "Good day to you, herr was her
greeting.
when is the wedding"
Gretchen blushed.
II should like to come to 1t.
"You will be welcome. herr"
And may l bring along a little pres
ent?'
IF 1t so please you. 1 must be going"
she added to Frau Bauer
May I walk along with you?" asked
Hans.
IF you WISH diffidently.
So Grumbach walked with her to the