Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-23

"A PttSois WV
lived In the mountains at an inn. He
used to come in evenings when the
snow was not too deep. He taught
me to read and write. / know that
Italy has all the works Of art. that
France has the most interesting bis.
terry. that Germany has all the Dhilos.
rphers and America all the money"
adding a smile. II should like to see
America"
"Do you live aloneT
mo. l live with my foster mother,
who Is very old. call her grand
mother. She took me In when was
founding. And what might your name
be?"
Ludwig. am a mountaineer from
Jugendheit-"
I'VE are not friendly with your coun-
try"
"More's the pity. 1t is grave blum
der on the part Of the grand duke"
Wasn't 1t all about the grand dukes
daughter?"
Eyes. But she has been found. Yet
the duke Is Us bitter as Of old. What
Is this new found princess likeT
"She Is beautiful and kind"
The geese were behaving, and only
occasionally was she obliged to use her
stick.
He observed her critically, for he
was interested. She was not tall. but
her 1.-the slenderness gave her the ap-
pearance Of tallness. Her hands.
rough nailed and sunburnt, were small
and shapely. Her hair. In thick
braid, was the tone of the heart OF a
chestnut bur, and her eyes were OF
that mystifying hazel. sometimes
brown, sometimes gray.
"How old are you, Gretchen
81 do not know" she answered.
perhaps eighteen. perhaps twenty"
Arriving at length In the city. they
passed through the crooked streets.
Gretchen, where shall I find tho
AdlergasseT'
81 will show you. You are also q
stranger in Dreibergr
"Yes."
They took the next turn, and the
weather beaten sign Zum Schwartzen
Adler, hanging In front of frame
house of many gables, caused the
mountaineer to breathe gratefully.
Here my journey ends, Gretchen. at
the Black Eagle" he said.
They were passing clock members
shop. The man from Jugendheit peer
ed in the window, but there was no
clock In sight to give him warning OF
the time. and he dared not now look
at his watch. He had glimpse OF the
ancient clock mender himself. however.
huddled over table upon which sput-
tered a candle. The eyes Of the two
men met. but only for q moment. The
mountaineer started to cross the street
to the tavern.
Good night. Gretchen. Good luck to
YOU and your geese tomorrow"
Thanks. Herr Ludwig. And Will
you be long in the cityy
THAT depends; perhaps" adding a
grim smile in answer to a grim
thought.
He offered his hand. which she ac-
cepted trustfully. He was a strange
old man. but she liked him. When she
withdrew her hand something cold
and hard remained in her palm. Won.
ders of all the world, 1t was piece OF
gold! Her eyes went up quickly. but
the giver smiled reassuringly and put
a finger against his lips.
"But. herr" she demonstrated.
keep It. l give It to you. Do moi
question Providence, and am her
handmaiden just now. Go along with
you"
So Gretchen in mild state Of stupe.
faction turned away. Clat-clat! sang
the little wooden shoes. A plaintive
gonk rose as she prodded laggard
from the dank gutter. A piece Of gold
| Clat-clat! Clat-clatl Surely this had
been day of marvels.
She was regarded with kindly eyes
till the dark jaws Of the Krumerwee
swallowed up both her and her geese.
Poor little goose grip he thought
III she & oo' Wv sAs eQlla make Z