Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-08-27

"A patches and tatters paused
and leaned on his stout oak
staf. He had walked many
miles that day. His peasant garb rath-
er enhanced his fine head. His eyes
were blue and clear and farseeinC.
the eyes Of a hunter or a yoodsman.
The afternoon glow Of the September
sun burned along the dusty white
highway. From where be stood the
road uailed OF miles behind and
wound up 600 feet or more above him
TO the ancient city Of Dreiberg.
Across a lofty tumble OF barren rock
and glacial cleft. now purpIinE and
darkening as the sun meIlowed in its
decline. lay the kingdom OF Jugeud-
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 a space. IL was the
military helG. and II glittcred and scin-
ullated with squadron after squadron
OF cavalry.
The philosophy Of war is TO pre-
pare Tor it," unused the old man, with
a jerk OF his shoulders. France,
SO the mutter runs. There is a Ma
poieon in France but no Bonaparte."
He laughed ironically and cautiously
glanced al his watch. an article which
must have cost him many and many a
potato patch. He stepped forward He
had followed yonder goose Girl ever
since the incline began. OFT the little
wooden shoes had Jagged. hut here
they were. stin "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
achcd 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 n matter OF
twelve miles. and now she was bring
ing them into the city 20 sell in the
market on the morrow After that
she would have little 10 DO save an
hour OF two az night In "a tavern called
the Black Eagle. where she waited on
patrons.
Presently there was a clatter OF
horses, 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 humbleuess
which lacked sincerity. IL was the
grand duke himself There was Gen
eral Ducwitz, too. and some Of his
stan, and a smooth faced. handsome
young man in civilian riding clothes.
N n fhnrrfrh 10
man, was obviously OF foreign birth,
an Englishman or an American.
When the cavalcade reached the
goose girl the peace OF the scene van
ished forthwith. Confusion took up
the scepter. The silly geese. instead
or remaining on the left OF the road i'm
safety, straightway determined that
their haven OF refuge was on the op-
posite side Gonk gonk. Quack.
quack! They scrambled. they blum
dered, they few. Some tried 10 go
over the horses, some endeavored TO
90 under.
The civilian looked casually at the
girl.
by Georgeg he exclaimed in Eng
hsh
What is it?' asked the duke. gath
ering up the reins.
THE girls face. II Is beautiful"
The duke, after a glance. readily
agreed You Americans are always
observant"
Pretty figure. too" said one Of the
aids, 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 kneyr A faint
color grew under her tan and waned.
The troop proceeded with dust and
small thunder and shortly passed the
city gates. II traverSed the lumDy
cobbles OF the narrow streets. often
crowding pedestrians. One among
those so Inconvenience was a youth
dressed as a vintner. BE was tai.
plainly built blond rs a viking. pos
sessing singular beauty OF the mas
cuIine order. He was forced TO flat
ten himself against the wall OF a
house, his arms extended on either
side IN kind OF temporary crucinx-
Ion. Even then the stirrup Of the
American touched him slightly. But il
was not the touch OF the stirrup that
startled him IL was the dark. clean
cut face Of the rider. Once they were