Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-23
CHAPTER l.
SOME IN RAGS.

SOME IN RAGS.
Nm old man clothed in picturesque
IA patches and tatters paused
! and leaned OIL his stout oak
staff. He had walked many
miles that day. His peasant garb rath-
er enhanced his fine head. His eyes
were blue and clear and farSeeing.
the eyes Of hunter or woodsman.
The afternoon glow Of the September
sun burned along the dusty white
highway. From where he stood the
road trailed off miles behind aud
wound up 800 feet or more above him
to the ancient city Of Dreiberg.
Across lofty jumbe of barren rock
larkening us the sun meilOwed In its
decline. lay the Kingdom of Jugend-
helt. BY and by his gaze wavered.
and one particular patch in the val
ley. brown from the beating of many
irunshod horses. caught and chained
his interest for space. 1t was the
military field. and 1t glittered and scin-
tillated with squadron after squadron
Of cavalry.
THE philosophy Of war IS to pre-
pare for It," mused the old man. with
jerk of his shoulders. France.
So the mutter runs. There is Ma
poleon in France. but no Bunapar!c."
He laughed ironically and cautiously
glanced at his watch. an article which
must have cost him many and many a
potato patch. He stepped forward. He
had followed yOuder goose girl ever
since the incline began. OFT the little
wooden shoes had Jagged. but here
they were. still hundred yards or
more ahead of him.
The little goose girl was indeed tired.
and the little wooden shoes grew heav-
Ter and heavier and the little bare feet
ached duly. but her heart was light
and her mind sweet with happiness.
Day after day she had tended the
geese in the valley and trudged back
at evening alone. all told n matter of
Twelve miles. and now she was bring
ing them Into the city to sell In the
market ON the morrow. After that
she would have little to do save an
hour or two ut night in u tavern called
the Black Eagle. where she waited on
patrons.
Presently there was clatter OF
horses. u Jingle Of bit and spur and
saber. Half a dozen mounted officers
irotted past. The peasant OIL the para
pet Instantly recognized one Of the
men. He saluted with a humbleness
which lacked sincerity. 1t was the
grand duke himself. There was Cen
aral Ducwitz. too. aud some OF bis
staff. and a smooth faced. handsome
young man In civilian riding clothes.
who. though he rode like cavalry
nan. WAS obviously Of foreign birth,
III Englishman or IN American.
When the cavalcade reached the
goose girl the peace of the scene van
lshed forthwith. Confusion took up
.he scepter. The silly geese. instead
If remaining on the left Of the road In
safety. staigh! AWAY determined that
heir haven of refuge was on the op-
oosiie side. Gonk. gonk! Quack.
,uack.. They scrambled. they blum
Tered. they few. Some tried to go
over the horses. some endeavored to
20 under.
The civilian looked casually at the
kip.
"Ry George~ be exclaimed in Eng
ish.
What Is it?" asked the duke, gath
lring up the reins.
THE girls face. 1t is beautiful"
The duke, after a glance. readily
,grecd. you Americans are always
,bservant."
Pretty figure, too" said ono Of the
lids. colonel. But his eye held none
If the abstract admiration which
characterized the Americans.
The goose girl had seen this look In
,ther mems eyes. She knew. A faint
.olor grew under her tan and waned.
The troop proceeded with dust and
small thunder and shortly passed the
.ity gates. II traversed the lumpy
.obbles Of the narrow streets. often
.rowdlng pedestrians. One among
hose so inconvenienced was q youth
dressed as vintner. he was tall
piiantly built. blond as viking, pos
sessing a singular beauty OF the mas
culine order. He was forced to nat
ten himself against the wall Of
house, his arms extended on eithei
side In a kind Of temporary crucihx
lon. Even then the stirrup OF tn
American touched him slightly. But i
was not the touch Of the stirrup tha
startled him. It was the dark, clear
cut face of the rider. Once they wer'
by the youth darted into a doorway.
"He? What can he be doing here
No, 1t is utterly impossible. 1t Is mere
ly q likeness"
| He ventured forth presently. none o
the perturbation, however. gone fron
his face. He ran his hand across hi
chin. Yes, he would let his beart
grow.
The duke and bis escort turned Int
the broad and restful sweep Of tn
J Konigstrasse. At the end was ~