Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-02
CHAPTER L
R1R IL RAGS.

II patches and tatters paused
and leaned on his stout oak
staff. he had walked many
miles that day. His peasant garb rath-
err enhanced his nne head. His eyes
were blue and clear and farseeing,
the eyes OF hunter or woodsman.
The afternoon glow Of the September
sun burned along the dusty white
highway. From where he stood the
road ha1led of miles behind and
wound up 500 feet or moro above him
to the ancient city Of Dreiberg.
Across lofty tumble of barren rock
and glacial cleft, now purpling and
darkening as the sun mellowed in its
decline, lay the kingdom Of Jugend-
heit. BY and by his gaze wavered,
and one particular patch in the val
ley, brown from the beating Of many
ironshod horses, caught and chained
his interest for . space. It was the
military odd, and it gltttered and scin-
t1llated with squadron after squadron
Of cavalry.
1.-THE philosophy Of war IL to pre-
pare for It." unused the old man, with
. Jerk Of his shoulders. "Francei
80 the mutter runs. There Is q Ma
poason in France, but no Bonaparte."
He laughed Ironically and cautiously
glanced at his watch, an article which
must have cost him many and many q
potato patch. He stepped forward. He
had followed yonder goose girl ever
since the incline began. Oft the little
wooden shoes had Jagged, but here
they were, stiu a hundred yards or
more ahead Of him.
The little goose girl was indeed tired,
and the little wooden shoes grew heav-
Ter and heavier, and the little bare feet
ached duly. but her heart was light
and her mind sweet with happiness.
Day after day she had tended the
geese in the valley and trudged back
at evening alone. all told q matter. of
twelve miles, and now she was bring
ing them into the city to sell in the
market on the morrow. After that
she would have little to do save an
hour or two at night in a tavern called
the Black Eagle, where she waited on
patrons.
Presently there was a clatter Of
horses, a Jingle Of bit and spur and
saber. Half dozen mounted officers
trotted past. The peasant on the para
pet instantly recognized one Of the
men. He saluted with a humbleness
which lacked sincerity. 1t was the
grand duke himself. There was Cen
eral Ducwitz, too, and some Of his
star. and a smooth faced, handsome
young man in civilian riding clothes.
who, though he rode like q cavalry
man, was obviously Of foreign birth,
an Englishman or an American.
When the cavalcade reached the
goose girl the peace of the scene van
lshed forthwith. Confusion took up
the scepter. The silly geese, instead
OF remaining on the left Of the road in
safety, straightway determined that
their haven of refuge was on the op-
posite side. Gonk, gonk! Quack,
quack! They scrambled, they blum
dered. they flew. Some tried to go
over the horses, some endeavored to
70 under.
The civilian looked casually at the
girl.
"By Georyer' he exclaimed in Eng
Hsh.
i ~What Is itr' asked the duke, gath
afirg up the reins.
4 ..The girls face. It Is beautiful"
1 The duke, after . glance. readily
agreed. ..sYou Americans are always
observant."
/ .Pretty figure, too," said one Of the
aids. a colonel. But his eye held none
OF the abstract admiration which
characterized the Americans.
The goose girl had seen this look In
other mems eyes. She knew. A faint
color grew under her tan and waned.
4 The troop proceeded with dust and
small thunder and shortly passed the
city gates. 1t traversed the lumpy
cobbles Of the narrow streets, often
crowdinr pedestrians. One among
thooe 90 Aforementioned was q youth
dressed u q winner. He was tan.
plainly built blond as viking, pos
Sessing q singular beauty Of tho mas
eulno oedeE. He was forced 70 nat
TN hinasolf against the wall OF
AA4sse his arms. extended on etfhse