Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-25
CHAPTER II-Continued.

words. At first she gave no heed. The
colonel persisted. Without a word In
reply she resolutely sought the nearest
policeman. WalIenstein, remaining where
he was. laughed. Meantime the police
man frowned. 1t was incredible: his ex-
cellency could not possibly have intended
any wrong. il was only a harmless pleas
antry. Gretchen's lips quiverSa: the law
of redress in Ehrenstein had 20 MISE
for the goose girl.
Good evening, colonel, said Carmi-
chael. pleasantly. why can't your band
master give us light opera once in a
whieo"
The colonel pulled his mustache in
ciagrin. but he did not give Carmichael
the credit for bringing about this cheap
ening sense. For the time being Gretchen
was freed from annoyance. The colonel
certainly could not rush OFF to her and
give this keen-eyed American an oppor-
tunity to witness further rebuff.
Light operas are rare at present. he
replied. accepting his defeat amiably
enough
Paris is full of them just now con-
tinued Carmichael.
Paris Would you like a riot in the
gardens?" asked the colonel, amused.
"A riot?" said Carmichael, derisvely.
Why. nothing short of bombshell
would cause riot among your phleg-
matte Germans
Il believe you love your Paris better
than your Dreiberg.''
Not bit of doubt. And down in your
heart you do. too. Think of the lights.
the theaters, the cafes and the pretty
women." Carmichaers cane described a
flourish as If to draw a picture of these
things.
Yes, yes agreed the colonel. remin-
iscently; You are right. There is no
other night equal TO Partisan night.
Act, Colt. But think of the mornings
think of the ornings"'-dolefully.
'On the contrary, let us not think of
them. with mock shudder
And then a pretty woman rose from a
chair nearby. She nodded brightly at the
colonel. who bowed. excused himself to
Carmichael, and made off after her.
Il believe I stepped on his toe that
time said Carmichael to himself.
Then he looked round for Gretchen.
She was still at the side of the police
man. She had watched the scene be-
tween the two men. but was quite uncon-
scious that 1t had been set for her bene-
fit She came back. Carmichael stepped
confidently to her side and raised his hat
Did you get your geese together with
out mishap?" he asked.
The instinct of the child always re-
mains with the woman. Gretchen smiled
This young man would be different, she
knew.
highness.' eagerly, was he very angry?
Angry? Not the least. He was
amused But he was nearly knocked on
his horse. If you lived in America now
you might reap a goodly profit from that
goose
America? How"
You could put him in museum and
exhibit him as an intimate friend of the
Grand Duke of Ehrenstein.''
But Gretchen did not laugh 1t was a
,-ia t.,f fol Iyht Of M
person as the duke. Still. the magic
word America. where the gold came from,
famed her curiosity.
You are from American?
Yes
Are you rich?''
I'm fancy, in dreams, humorously-
''Oh. l thought they We're all rich
only one or two of us
lis 1t very large. this America"
France. Spain. Prussia would be lone
some if set down in America. Only Rus
STA has anything to boast of"
did you fight in the war;"
Yes. Do you like music?'
Were you ever wounded?''
"A scratch two, nothing to speak
of. But do YOU like music?'
Very very much. When they play
Beethoven. Bach or Meyerbeer, ach,
seem to live in another country. ! hear
music In everything. in the leaves, the
rain the wind. the stream
1t seemed strange TO him that he had
not noticed il at first. the almost Hano-
verian purity Of her speech and the free
dom with which she spoke. The average
peasant Is diffident, with a vocabulary Of
few words, ignorant of art. or music. or
where the world lay.
What is your name?'
Gretchen
ut is a good name; it is famous, too
Goethe used it,
so he did Carmichael ably concealed
his surprise. You have some one who
reads to you?"
NO. herr. can read and write and
do sums in addition
He was willing to swear that she WAS
making fun of him. Was she simple
goose girl? Was she not something more.
something deeper? War clouds were form
strike at any time. And who but the
French could produce such a woman spy?
Ehrenstein was not Prussian. it was true:
but the duchy with its twenty thousand
troops was one of the many pulses that
beat in unison with this man Bismarck s
plans Carmichael addressed her quickly
in French, aiming to catch her off her
guard.
II do not speak French, herr" hon
estly.
at her hands dissolved his doubts. These
hands were used to toll. they were I'm no
way disguised. No Frenchwoman would
sacrifice her hands for her country; at
least. not 10 ILLS cAtcHt. Lei the Two
things in his mind would not readily CO.
hese-a goose girl who was familiar with
the poets and composers.
You have been to SCHOOL,"
After a manner. My teacher was a
kind priest. But he never knew that
with knowledge he was to open the gates
of discomfort"
Then you are not happy with your
lot?''
lis any, one. herr?" quietly. And who
might you be, and what might you be
doing here in Dreiberg, riding with the
grand duke?".
Il am the American consul"
Gretchen took a step back.
"Oh. it is nothing that will bite you,"
he added.
But perhaps have been disrespect-
full
Pray, how?'
Gretchen found that she had no definite
explanation to offer.
What did Col. Wallenstein say to
you?"
Nothing of importance. l am used to
it. / am perfectly able to take care Of
myself" she answered.
But he annoyed YOU
THAT is true" she admitted.
What did the policeman say?'
What would he say to a goose girl?"
Shall I speak to him.
Would ii really do any good p
skeptically.
"it might. The duke is friendly toward
me, and l am certain he would not toll
crate such conduct in his police
insolence would become persecution. /
lyr,r Vnf vi