The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-04
1oontinnes from resterdax.N

was one who had seen two years OF
constant and terrible warfare, who had
ridden horses under fire, and who bore
on his body many honorable scars. For
the great ciVtl strife in America had
come to it's close but two years before,
and Europe was still captive 10 her
arnazement AT the military prow"ss OF
the erstwhiie inconsiderable American
As Carmichael saluted and turned TO
leave the courtyard, he threw a swirl
searching glance at one of the palace
Windows Did the curtain stir? He
conId not say. He continued on, cross
ing the Platz. toward the Grand Hotel
He Was q bachelor, so he might easily
have had his quarters at the consul
ate, but as usual with American con-
sulates even to the present time-it
was situated in an undesirable part of
the town, ever Bierhaiie fre4uented
by farmers and the middle class How
fHy rTuTrratufy cUfnrortHbfe Trcuruc uf
his own. he naturally preferred living
ia the Grand Hotel.
Where had he seen that young
winter before?
Meanwhile the goose girl set reso-
lutely about the task of demonstrating
her awkward squad. With soft,
ciucking sound she moved hither and
thlther. feather or two drifted lag
lily about in the air. AT last she gath
cred them in, all but one foolish,
blank-eyed gander. which, posing on
q large boulder, threatened to divt
headforemost into the torrent She
coaxed him gently, then severely. but
without success. The old man in
patches came up.
"Let me get him for YOU, Kind
chem he volunteered
The good fellowship in his voice
Impressed her far more imam the hum
BILE state Of his dress. But she smiled
and shook her head.
1T lis dangerous" she affirmed, III
will be wiser to wait. In a little while
he will come down Of his own ac-
cord
"Bahr' cried the old man. TT Is
nothing: ! am nnountaineer."
In spite OF his WEAKNESS he proved
himself to be dexterious elm her,
Foot by foot, he crawled up the side
of the huge stone A slip, and his
life would not have been worth one
OF the floating feathers. The gander
saw him coming and stirred uneasily,
Nearer and nearer came this human
spider The gander tapped its wings,
but hesitateti to AXE thu tea p III
stantly 8 brown hand shot up and
caught the scaly pellow legs. There
was much squawkiug on the way
down, but when his ganuershtp saw
his more traotable brothers and sis
ters peacefully waddltng up the ROAD
he subsidized and took his place IN
the ranks without more ado.
You are brave man, Herr -
There was admiration in the girls
eyes.
To court danger and to overcome
obstacles is a part Of my regular busi-
ness do not know what giddiness
la. You are welcome to the service.
II Is long walk from the valley"
II have walked IL many times this
summer. But this is the last day. To-
morrow | sell the geese in the mar
iSet to the hotels, They nave all fine
iivers touching a goose with
her willow stick.
What, tine hotels r'-numorously.
mo. no; my geese!"
What was that song you were
singing before the horses came up?'
THAT? 1t was from the poe
iTeine"
He stared at her with a rudenesS
not at all intentional.
''Heine? Can you read?"
Eyes, Herr"
The other walked along beside bel
In silence. After all. why not? Why
should ne be surprised? From on,
end of the world to the other print
srs ink was spreading and bringing
tight But IA goose-girl who reac
IIeinA.
and the music?" he inquired pres.
entity.
..That is mine''--with the first sign
OF diffldence. Melodies are always
running through my mead. Sometimes
they make me forget things ! ought
to remember"
Your own music? An impresaric
will be discovering you some fine
day, and your fortune will be made
The light irony did nor escape her
II am only goose girl"
He Eel, dissrmed. What is your
name?"
.Gretchen."
What else ."
Nothing else"--wistfuliy. Il never
knew any. father or mother"
.'So2" This was easier for the othel
to understand. But who taught yol
10 read"
"A priest Once / lived In IN,
mountains, at an inn. He used t
come in evenings when the snow wa
aot too deep. He taught me TO reat
know that Italy has all the work
OF art; that France has the most in
teregging .astory. that Germany ha
all the philosophers. and America al
the money" adding smile. "
should like to see America. Some
tIsries ! lind newspaper, and | reat
1t all through"
History"
"A little, and geography"
with all this wide learning 70,
ought To be something better than /
tender Of geese"
1T IS honest work and that j
good
II meant nothing wrong, Kindchen
But gea would f4Ha il easier in mill
ner's shop, as a iady's maid. some
thing of that order
with these ?"---holding out ne
hands.
TT would not take long to whittier
them. DO you live alone2"
no. j live with my foster-mother
who Isl very old. l cali her grand
mother She took me In when ! wa
founding; new / am taking care .
her She has always been good I
me. And what might your name be ?
Ludwig"
Ludwig what ?"-inaaisitive in he
turn.
.Oh, the other does not matter.
4 am a mountaineer from Jugendheit
.Jugendheit % She paused to loo
at him more closely. I'VE are no
friendly with your country"
n More's the pity. Ii Is a gray
SfanSeT on the part OF the gran