Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-25
TH1EGMSE GIRL
9:A Romantic StOyBy n
SHAROLD r14eG RHTHS
1Aut1sor ofxs..-.
Ahe/1an01Ae6ox. Hekufe0f 7MeNaak, etc.,
4NHOr OF
lzZ2HONH Box HeZUfpOf-de736
Copyright 1909. The Bobbs-NerTiU Composy.

1&0SSSO
MeMdHONN tie b0x The.
Copyright 1909. The b
There was no fear in the voice: there
was nothing but confidence. The duke
glared at the speaker somberly. recalling
what Herbeck had often said.
What you say still remains to be
proved. Now, what is at the bottom Of
all this?" was the demand. You men
have not obtained this interview for the
sake Of Affirming your innocence. Herr
Carmichael. here, declared to me on honor
that you were in possession Of great Sc
cret. Out with 1t. without any more use
less recrimination."
Hans replied not in words but in ac-
tons. He crossed the room to the duke .
desk and spread out his treasures under
the Pickering candlelight. The duke, with
a cry of terror. sprang toward the secret
drawer. His first thought was that the
shoes and cloak, upon which only his
eyes ever rested now, had been stolen.
He Strengthened. Nothing was missing.
He glanced from face to face, from the
articles on the desk TO those in the
drawer. He was overwhelmed. But he
steadied himself: 1t was no moment for
physical weakness. Slowly, ignoring every
one, he came back to the desk and fin
gered the 1ocket Just then 1t was ex-
ceedingly quiet in the room, save that
each man heard the quick breathing of
his neighbor. The duke opened the locket.
looked long and steadfastly at the por-
trait and shut it. Then he went to the
drawer again and returned with the coun-
terparts. He laid them side by side.
The likeness was perfect In all details.
Carmichael" he said. will you please
help me? My eyes are growing old. Do
l see these things. or do / not? And If
do. which Is mine, and what does this
signify?" The tremor in his voice was
audible
Grumbach answered. This. highness.
my own hands. They have never been
out of my keeping. Those you have l
know nothing about"
The duke rubbed his eyes. MY daugh-
ter?''
"The Princess Hildegarde is not your
"Gott!' The duke smote the desk in
despair, a despair which wrung the
hearts of those who witnessed 1t. Her
beck! / must send for Herbeck"
Not yet. highness; later" Grumbach
But if not Hildegarde- / believe /
must be growing mad!'
Patience, your highness!' said Car
michael.
thence when my heart is dying inside my
breast? Patience? Who, then. Is this
woman l have called my child?''
God knows. highness! Hans stood
bowed before this parental agony.
But what proof have you that she Is
7
Would there be two lockets, high
ness?"
More proof than this will be needed.
Produce 1t. Prolong this agony OF doubt
not another instant
Speak" said Hans to the gypsy, who
was viewing the drama with the non
chalance of a spectator rather than
participant.
"Highness." said the gypsy, bowling.
'he speaks truly. He came with us. For
fear that the little highness might be
recognized as we travelled. we changed
her clothes. He took them. together with
the locket. One day the soldiers appeared
in the distance. We all fled. We lost
the little highness and none Of us ever
knew what became of her. She wore the
costume of my own children.
I'VE shall produce that in time." said
Won Arnsberg.
.Damnable wretch" said the duke. ad-
dressing the gypsy s-.e.- $
The. other shrugged. He had been PROM
ised immunity; that. was All he cared
and, gold this old elocksrnender had given
him few hours gone =. -
81 am summoning her highness." said
the duke as he struck the bell. -
And, highness," added Grumbach.
dispatch some one for Gretchen; who
1.-The goose girl? What does she know?
All. I remember She is even now with
her highness. I shall send for them
both"
Gretchen Carmichaers bewilderment
What place had the goose girl
in this tragedy?
Now, while we are waiting" resumed
the duke, his agitation somewhat under
control, 1.-The proof. the definite proof!'
Her highness stumbled one night
said Hans. land fell upon the hre. l
snatched her back. but not before her
left arm was badly burned"
The gypsy nodded. Il saw 1t. nigh
ness
And that was why Grumbach went to
the military ball with opera glasses! Car
."rhe Princess Hildegarde has no scar
upon either ARM" continued Grumbach.
Il have seen them. They are without
More than that" reiterated the duke.
THAT is not enough"
or the other stirred. The duke never took
his eyes off the door through which her
highness would enter.
She came in presently, tender with
mercy. an arm supporting Gretchen' VINO
was red-eyed and white.
You sent for us, father"
How the word pierced the dukes heart!
Yes, my child he answered.; Tor II
not who she was or whittier she
had come, he had grown to love her. :.
Il am sorry you sent for Gretchen.
said Hildegarde. 'She is III"
Gretchen sighed. To her the faces OF
he men were indistinct. And, besides.
The was without interest. listless, dropped
MY child, will you roll up your left
,leeve?" said the duke.
INV sleeve?' Hildegarde thoughtfully
ooked round. Roll up her sleeve? What
possessed her father?
do so at once.
81 cannot roll up this sleeve. father"
FLUSHING and trifle angry at so strange
request
Hans opened his knife and laid bare her
eft arm. She uttered q little angry cry.
How dare you?" She tried to cover the
lrm.
Iuested the duke.
10 him she presented her arm. for she
low understood that a serious AFFAIR was
n progress. But there was neither mole
Tor scar upon the round and lovely arm.
"why do you do this, father? What Is
he meaning?"
No one answered; no one had the heart
o answer Without waiting for the
luke to bid him continue, Hans uncere-
noniously ripped open Gretchens left
leeve. The ragged scar was visible TO
hem all. And while they grouped round |
he astonished goose girl they heard her
lighness cry out with surprise. !
what is this?" she said, pointing to
he two pairs Of shoes and the two cloaks. |
nc hold IN the locket the twin of which |