Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-23

wings but hesitated to take the leap. In
stantly brown hand shot up and caught
the scaly yellow legs. There was much
squawking on the way down. but when
his gandership saw his more tractable
brothers and sisters peacefully waddllng
I'D the road he subsidized and took his
place in the ranks without more ado.
You are brave man, herr mere
was admiration in the girls eyes.
ITO court danger and to overcome OBJ
stacles is a part of my regular business.
do not know what giddiness is. fou
are welcome to the service. 1t is long
walk from the valley.
II have walked it many times this sum-
mer But this is the last day. Tomor-
row sell the geese in the market to the
hotels They have all fine livers"-light-
ly touching goose with her willow SUCK.
What, the ls?'-humorously.
mo, no, my geese!
What was that song you were singing
before the horses came up"
That? 1t was from the poet Heine"-
simply.
He stared at her with rudeness not
at all intentional
'Heine? Can you read?
Yes, herr"
The other walked along beside her in
silence. After all, why not? Why should
he be surprised? From one end of the
world to the other printers INK was
spreading and bringing light. But a
goose girl who read Heine!
And the music?" he inquired presently:
That is mine'-with the first sign of
diffidence. Melodies are always running
through my head. Sometimes they make
me forget things l ought to remember.
Your own music? An impresario will
be discovering you some fine day and
your fortune will be made.
The light irony did not escape her. Il
am only goose girl.
He felt disarmed. What is your
Manner
Gretchen"
What else?'
Nothing else wistfully. Il never
knew any father or mother"
SOP This was easier for the other to
understand. But who taught you to
read?"
"A priest Once ! lived in the mountains.
at an inn. He used to come in even
ings, when the snow was not too deep.
many things besides. I know that Italy
has all the works of art; that France has
the most interesting history; that Ger
many has all the philosophers. and Amer
should like to see America Sometimes
find a newspaper and | read it all
through
History"
"A little and geography
with all this wide learning you ought
to be something better than tender OF
geese
1T Is honest work and that is good
Il meant nothing wrong, kindchen.
But you would find it easier in mil
liners shop as lady's maid, something
of that order"
with these?" holding out her hands.
cit would not take long to whiten
them. Do you live alone?'
NO. / live with my foster mother,
who is very old. / call her grandmother.
She took me in when l was founding:
now / am taking care of her. She has
always been good to me. And what
might your name be-"
Ludwig"
Ludwig what?"-inquistive in her turn.
"Oh. the other does not matter. | am
q mountaineer from Jugendheit.'
"Jugendheit?' She paused to look at
him more closely. I'VE are not friendly
with your country
.More's the pity. 1t is grave bIunder
on the part Of the grand duke. There
Wasn't it all about the grand dukes
daughter?
Yes. But she has been found. Yet
the duke is as bitter as of old He is
man spoke with feeling. What is this
new-found princess like?'
.She is beautiful and kind
"So?"
The geese were behaving and only occa-
sionally was she obliged to use her stick.
And as her companion asked no more
questions, she devoted her attention TO
the flock. proud of their broad backs and
full breasts.
On his part. he observed her critically, |
for he was more than curious now. ne
was interested She was not tall. but
her 1.-THE slenderness gave her the APP
pearance of tallness Her hands. rough |
nailed and sunburnt, were small and
shapely: the bare foot in the wooden shoe
might have worn without trouble Gin
derella's magic slipper Her clothes.
coarse and homespun, were clean and
yariously mended Her hair, in a thick !
braid, was the tone of the heart of a
chestnut burr. and her eyes were of that
mystfying hazel, sometimes brown. some
times gray, according to whether the sky |
was clear or overcast. And there wasi