Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-10-04
6he
Goose Girl
By HAROLD MacGRATh
Copyright. 1909. by the Bobbs.
Merrill Company
CHAPTER XII.

Not now." replied Carmichael.
What Is all this about"
"A trihe." The old man thought for
awhile Suppose you had nephew
who was making fool Of himself over
a woman"
Nothing unusual In that"
Suppose. though Of good character,
she was vastly Nhls inferior In station;
that marriage to him was merely a
political contract. What would you
dor
II believe l begin to understand"
II am grateful for that"
"Your nephew is an ungrateful
wretch. He knew all along who
was" went on the American. ~ drag.
ged him out of the Rhine upon a Ger.
tain day. and he plays this trick"
You? Carmichael. Carmichael. OF
course: should have remembered the
name as he wrote me at the time.
Thank you! And you knew him all
the while?"
mo. recalled his face. but the
time and place were In the dark till
this early morning. Here we are at
the gates What's this? Guards?
never saw them at these gates before" I"
After some trouble they passed the
guards.
The mOuntaineer got out quickly
closed the door. spoke q word to the
driver and slipped into an alleyway.
Carmichael arrived at the Grand ho-
tel In time to see her serene highness.
accompanied by two Of her ladies and
an escort of four soldiers. start out for
her morning ride He waited till they
had passed. then skunk into the hotel.
The concierge gaZed at him In amaze
ment Carmichael winked. The con
cierge smiled. He understood. Ameri-
Gamer or Ehrensteiner. the young fel-
lows were all the same
Guards at the gates" muSed Car
michael as he soaked his head and face
In cold water. by George. it looks
as If my friend the vintner was In for
some excitement"
Gretchen. Carmichael stopped. his
collar but halfway around his throat.
Now, by the Lore. that should not be.
He would wiring the winners neck.
He was not in an amiable mood. Some
one hammered on the door
GrumbaCh entered.
"You are Angry about something he
said.
so am. But you are always wei
come"
"You have oversight"
mo; ou the contrary"
"You are disturbed. I'd like to know
what's going on in that bullet head of
yours"
81 have resigned the consulship."
And for what reason:"
- Carmichael silently drew on his coat.
Zach. So you have one too!'' --
"One what?"
"One secret"
"1es. But it's the kind we can't talk
about"
Il understand. Have you had break
fast?"
NO"
Neither have |. Let US go togeth'
err"
There was q large crowd outside the
palace that night. which was clear and
starry. because Of great ball. A
troop of cavalry patrolled the fence.
Carriage after carriage rolled In
through the gates. coming directly from
the opera.
And close by the sentry box Car,
michael saw Gretchen and her vintner
Carmichael could not resist stopping
a moment. He raised his hat to
Gretchen to the wonder Of those near
est
.Do you know where the American
consulate is:" he asked low. so that
none but Gretchen and the vintner
heard.
YES" said the vintner. blushing
with shrine. Il live above the agen'
cy."
Good. shall expect to see you In
the morning"
But the winner was determined that
he shouldn't. He would be at work
In the royal vineyards on the morrow
Tomorrow? repeated Gretchen. to
whom this byplay was blank. why
should he wish to see yOu?
who knows? Let US be going. II
| Is half after TO-" he added. as II to put
forward some logical excuse for leav
Ing at this moment.
4 man followed them all the way tc
| the Krumerweg.
Carmichael threw himself eagerly
into the sayety Of the dance. He was
an accomplished waltzer. after the
| manner of that day. when one went
round and round like some mechan'
| ical toy wound up. This would be the
last affair of the kind for him. and he
wanted full memory Of 1t. Between
times he exchanged jest or two with
the chancellor or talked battles with
old Ducwitz. Thrice while on the dool
her highness passed him. But there
| was never smile. never a glance. he
became careless and reckless. he
would seek her and talk to her and
smile ut her even II the duke threw 9
regiment In between. He saw Grum
bach in the gallery.
"Now, what the devil Ii the Dutch
man doing with pair Of opera
glasses?''
Later her highness stood before one
Of the long windows In the conserva
tory listlessly watching the people In
the square. Was that some one com
ing for her? She turned.
II was Carmichael.
What an opportunity for scandal
She laughed inwardly. The baroni
and their wives. the ambassadors
wives and their daughters. would miss
them both. And the spirit Of deviltrJ
las also uDon her heart She smiles
be seated at her side.
~You have not asked me to dance to
night" she declared.
II am neither u prince nor IN ambas
sador."
But you have danced with me-"
Yes: l hare been to heaven now
and then"