Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-30

| nlS score ana started IOr tne btalrt
which led to the bedrooms above. But
he stopped at the bar. A very old mar
was having a pail filed with hot cab
bage soup. 1t was the ancient clock
mender across the way. The noun
taineer was startled out Of his habitua
reserve. The clock mender had the as
pect Of q weary. broken man. He
shuffled noiselessly out. The noun
taineer followed him cautiously. Once
In his shop the clock mender poured
the steaming soup into bowl, broke
bread in It and began bis evening
meal. The other, his face pressed
against the dim pane. stared and
stared.
"Gott ia himmell 1t Is her' he
gasped chokingly.
Krumerweg was indeed crooked
way. 1t formed q dozen elbows and
ragged half circles as 1t skunk of from
the Adlergasse. It was half after 8
when Gretchen and the vintner picked
their way over cobbles pitted here and
there with mudholes. They were arm
in arm.
"Only little farther" said Gretchen,
for the vintner had never before pass
ed over this way.
Long as 1t Is and crooked. heaven
knows II is short enoughp He en-
circled her with his arms and kissed
her. II love you! love you" he said.
Her bosom swelled. her heart throb-
bed. and she breathed in ecstasy the
sweet chill air that rushed through the
broken street.
AFTER the vintage" she said, giving
his arm pressure. For this hand
some fellow was to be her husband
when the vines were pruned and fresh.
ened against the coming winter.
AYE. after the vintage" he echoed.
But there was tragedy in his heart as
deep and profound as his love.
my grandmother-I call her that. for
I haven't any grandmother-is old and
seldom leaves the house. I promised
that after work tonight I'd bring my
man home and let her see how hand
some he Is. She is always saying that
we need q man about. and yet I can
do q mans work as well as the next
one. love you. too. Leo!' She pulled
his hand to her lips and quickly kissed
It, frightened but unashamed.
Gretchen. Gretchen
She stopped. What Is itT' keenly.
There was pain in your voice"
'The thought of how love you hurts
me There Is nothing else, nothing,
neither riches nor crowns. nothing but
you. Gretchen"
They proceeded until they came to
the end of their journey at No. 40 In
the Krumerweg. 1t was house OF
hanging gables. almost as old as the
town itself
Frau Schwarz. Gretchen's grand
mother. owned the house. 1t was
all that barricaded her from poverty's
wolves. and. what with sundry taxes
and repairs and tenants who paid In
frequently. It was little enough.
Gretchen opened the door, which was
unlocked. There was no light In the
hail. She pressed her lover In her
arms. kissed him lightly and pushed
him into the living room. Gretchen
ran forward. lighted two candles. then
kissed the old woman seated in the one
comfortable chair
"Here am, grandmother"
"And who Is with you"
"My man. cried Gretchen gayly.
Bring him near me-"
Gretchen gathered up two stools and
placed them on either side Of her
grandmother and motioued to the vint-
Her to sit down.
"Where are you from? You are not
Dreibergr.." the old woman asked.
"From the north. grandmother"
"Your name"
Leopold Dietrich. vintner by
trade"
"Give me your hand"
The vintner looked surprised for
moment Gretchen approved. So he