Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-09-20
6he
Goose Girl
By HAROLD MacGRATn
Copyright. lS0o. by the Bobbs.
Merrill Company
CHAPTER TX.

i W uS NAhthSA S0On bSA ASb6ais
in his arms and kissed her many times
"Gretchen:"
She did not speak.
what Is it,"
"You usk?"
"Was II a crime then. to jump ou
Of the Window" He laughed.
Gretcheu's face grew sterner. "Wer'
you afraid"
For moment. have never rul
afoul the police. thought perhaps W.
were all to be arrested"
Perhaps you did not care to have
the police ask you questions?"
What IL all this about?" He pulled
her toward him so that he could l0Ol
into her eyes. What is the matter
Answer"
Are you not spy from Jugend
heit" thinly.
He flung aside her hand. $50! The
first doubt that enters your ear finds
harbor there. A spy from .Iugendheit
That is police suggestion. and you
believed It."
do you deny it?"
YES" proudly. snatching his hat
from his head and throwing 1t vio
lently at her feet-"yes. deny 1t. l an
not spy from any country"
Il have asked you many questions
she replied. but you are always laugh
ing. II is II pleasant way to avoid an
sweriug."
The vintner saw himself at buy.
"Gretr hen. have committed no
crime Rut you mllSt have proof. We
will 60 TO the police bureau and settle
this doubt"
When"
Now. tonight. while they are hunt.
Ing for me"
Forgive me-" brokenly.
IL insist. This thing must be righted
publicly"
And | was thinking that the man I
loved WAS Il coward"
II am Drawer than you dream, Gretch-
en- And In truth he WAS. for he
was about 10 set forth for the lions
den and only amazing rleverness could
extricate him. The police bureau was
far away. but the distance WIS moth
Ing to these healthy young people. 1t
was Gretchen who drew buck fearful
ly.
The Subchief Of the bureau received
them with i'll concealed surprise.
Il have learned thnt you are seeking
me." said the vintner. taking OF his
cap
immediately the subchief did not
know what to say. This was out Of
the Ordinary.
you are not native of Dreiberg."
he began.
NO. herr: | am from Bavaria. You
will tud that my papers were present
ed two or three weeks ugo."
The vintners passports were pro-
duced. The subchief compared them
to the corresponding number in his
book. There was nothing wrong about
them.
what is your business?
Il am vintner by trade. herr"
why did you jump out of the win
low?"
II was frightened at first. herr. l
believed that we were all to be ar
rested"
You accused him of being Ju-
gendheit spy" broke in Gretchen.
Il am here because Of that accusa-
ton" said the vintner.
What have you to sayY"
II deny 1t"
"Read this"
1t was the cutting. The vintner read
It. his brows drawn together In a puz-
lled frown.
IL can make nothing Of this. herr.
When cut this out Of the paper 1t
was to preserve the notice on the
other side" The vintner returned the
cutting.
The sutchief read aloud:
Winners and presses and pruners wanted
for the season. Find and liberal compen-
sation. Apply Holtz.
Gretchen laughed joyously; the vint-
ner grinned: the subchief swore under
his breath.
"Th, devil fly away with you both!
he cri. Il. making the best Of bis cha
grin. And when you marry don't In
yite me to the wedding"
After they had gone. however. he
called for all assistant.
did you see that young vintnerT
AYES"
Follow him night and day. Find
out where he lives and what be does
and ransack his room II possible. He
IL either au Innocent man or sleek
rascal. Report to me this time each
night"
On reaching the street Gretchen gave
rein to her laughter. AS they turned
into the Krumerweg they almost ran
into Carmichael.
Herr Carmichaelr' said Gretchen.
"And what are you doing here this
time or the nlGntF
II am looking for kind Of ghost, a
specter In black that leaves the palace
early In the evening and returns late'
whose destination has invariably been
10 krumerweg."
The vintner started
"My house?' cried Gretchen.
Yours? Perhaps you can dispel this
phantom!' said Carmichael.
"She was lady who comes on
charitable errand. But now she VIII
come no more. The object OF her visits
Is gone" Gretchen answered sadly.
"My luck" ruefully.
Are you not afraid to walk about
in this part Of the town 30 later put
In the vintner.
Afraid? OF what7 Thieves? Bah
nv little man! carry sword stick
and. moreover, know how to use II
tolerably well. Good night" And he
swung along.
The vintner was not patient tonight.
"Who Is this mysterious womanT
II am not free to tell you"
"Ohw
Leopold, what is the matter Will
you tonight7 You act like boy"
81 am wrong, Gretchen. You arr
right. Kiss me-" r
She liked the tone: she liked thu
kisses, too. though they hurt.
Good night, my mani" she whisper