Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-23

mind sweet with happiness. Day after
day she had tended the geese in the val
ley and trudged back at evening alone,
all told a matter of twelve miles; and
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.
On the two went, the old man in tat
tiers. the goose girl in wooden shoes The
man listened; she was singing brightly,
and the voice was sweet and strong and
true.
She is happy; that is some recompense.
She is richer than 1 am And the peas
ant fell into reverie.
Presently there was a clatter of horses,
a jingle of bit and spur and saber. The
old man stepped to the side of the road
and sat down on the stone parapet 1t
would be wiser now to wait till the dust
settled. Half a dozen mounted officers
trotted past. The peasant4n the parapet
instantly recognized one OF the men He
saluted with a humbleness which lacked
sincerity. 1t was the grand duke himself
There was Gen. Ducwitz, too and some
of his staff, and a smoothfaced, hand
some young man in civilian riding clothes.
was obviously of foreign birth. an Eng
lishman or an American. They were
laughing and shatting amiably, for the
Grand Duke of Ehrenstein bothered him.
SCH dUOut IoTHldIltl0S only dt formal
times. The outsider watched them re-
gretfully as they went by, and there was
some envy in his heart, too.
When the cavalcade reached the goose
girl the peace of the scene vanished forth
with. Confusion took up the scepter.
The silly geese. instead of remaining on
the left of the road. in safety. straight
way determined that their haven of ref
uge was on the opposite side. Gonk-gonk.
Quack-auack, They scrambled. they
blundered. they flew. Some tried to go
over the horses, some endeavored to go
under. One landed, full-winged. against
the grand dukes chest and swept his
vizored cap off his head and rolled it
companions to draw up; to proceed in
this undignified manner was impossible
All laughed heartily. however; all except
ing the goose girl. To her it was far
take half an hour to calm her stupid
charges. And she was so tired.
Stupids"' she cried despairingly.
From pigs and chickens. good Lord
deliver u.s." shouted the civilian, sliding
from his horse and recovering the dukes
cap.
Now. the duke was kind hearted
thoughtful man, notwithstanding his
large and complex affairs of state; as he
ceased laughing he searched pocket, and
tossed couple of coins to the forlorn
goose girl.
Il am sorry, little one he said, grave
~. Il hope none of your geese Is hurt"
oh highness!" cried the girl, breath
less from her recent endeavors and over
come with the grandeur of the two ducal
effigies in her hand. She had seen the
grand duke times without number, but
she had never yet been so near to him.
And now he had actually spoken to her.
1t was a miracle. She would tell them
all that night in the dark old Krumerweg.
And for the moment this prospect over
Swallowed all thought of her geese.
The civilian busted the royal cap with
his sieve. returned it and mounted. He
then looked casually at the girl.
by George" he exclaimed, in English.
What is it," asked the duke, gather
ing up the reins.
The girls face; il is beautiful
The duke, after glance. readily agreed
You Americans are always observant.'
Whenever there's pretty face about"
supplemented DucwitZ.
II certainly shouldn't trouble to look
at homey one the American retorted.
Pretty figure too said one of the
aids a colonel. But his eye held none of
the abstract admiration which character
tied the Americans.
The goose girl had seen this look in