Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-03-09
CHAPTER XVII.

(F7ftF En- <NsNH'h
Forbach, sleepy Forbach. is in a
state Of excitement. It's usually
quiet street is almost filed with a
curious, alert and merrymaking
crowd; the windows of Der Krone
hotel are all alive with eager faces,
all turned toward the read leading
from Baden-Baden. The little florists
shop-window is quite hidden by row
of white-capped red-cheeked village
maidens, laughing and talking and
eating ripe figs, all three things at
once: on the steps of the church II
self are gathered sightseers, laughing
and chatting. The cure is not there
simply because he has gone up to the
castle to welcome the great English
MILFORD, of whom le Is the valued ana
most esteemed friend.
Judging by the aspect OF Foroacn'
alive and viyacious, any one would
think that the emperor himself were
about to pass through; and, indeed,
his presence would not prove OF
greater interest to the quiet people o.
Forbach than the advent Of the great
MARQUIS of Ferndale: for his presence
at the castle, with long tram OF ser
wants, means a great increase OF bust
ness and profit--in word, prosperity
itself. The butcher and the baker,
and the florist, even the little old
fruit woman. rejoice and make glad,
and lay waiting in the road to greet
their patron and give him a hearty
welcome.
But a less interested motive has
drawn the red-cheeked maidens and
white-capped, demure matrons of the
village, for the story of the marquis
wedding has reached them, and they
have come out to get an early glimpse
of the bride. They are talking about
her now, as they click their knitting
needles and glance expectantTy up the
road
Herr Graft, the steward, says that
she is beautiful" says one, with a
nod very beautiful. There is por-
trait of her hanging in the great hall,
which Milford the marquis painted with
his own hand. and sent over that it
might hang there before the guests
arrive. And Herr Gran says it is the
face of a child--a girl"
Surely mott"
so says he; a mere girl; but beau
tiful-oh, as beautiful as a flower,
with dark eyebrows and eyes like
jewels Herr Graf is quite enamored
of miladys picture
But is she so young?" asks an
other
"A girl--a girl only" replies the
first gossip, proud of her superior in
formation; but few months older
than the young MILFORD, her brother
who has been staying at Der Krone
'Ah, is he not handsome? says a
girl, with a little appraised glance OF
her eyes "He is like-like-oh,
know not what he is llke!"
Gretchen" exclaims her mother
who is standing by, reproyingly
Guard thy tongue. girl. What i.
that young milord's fair face to thee?'
The girl shrank away and blushed
expecting a further rebuke, which
would certainly have been forthcom
ing, but. fortunately, soIne one at tht
outskirts OF the little crowd sees Z
cloud OF dust, very small cloud, il
| the distance.
They are coming" runs down the
line. and knitting.needles and fingers
stop instantly
Yes. it is them!' repeats the frs
authority Il can see the blue jack
cts Of the positions! See. too, the,
have run up the flag at Der Krone
10 YOU think Milford the marquis viii
stop for a mument? If so, what i;
fine view they viii have at Der Krone
Yes. here they comet"
The murmu .nns down the RANKS
reaches the church, which instantly
as if 1t were human and watching
bursts into clangor from the belfry
The little fat landlord of Der Kron,
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