The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-20
eHAFFER-x-


GreAchfns Day.
Gre tchen was always up when the
morning wac rosy. when the trees
were still dark and motionless, and
the beads of dew white and FROST
like. For what is better than to
meet the day as II comes over the
mountains, and silence breaks here
and there, In the houses and streets.
In the fields and vineyards? Let ord
age which has played its part and
taken to the wings Of the stage, let
old age ioiter in the morning, but
not greea years. Gretchea awoke as
the birds awoke. with xnatches ana
little trilis OF song. To her nearest
naighbors there was about her THAI
which reminded them OF the rexu-
laritv Of good clock; when they
heard her voice they knew II was
time 10 get up.
She wac always busy IN the MORN
ing. The ankie OF the bell outside
brought her 10 the door, ara her
fvo goats came pattering In TO be
relieved Of their creamy burden
Gretchen was fond of them; they
needed no care at all. The moment
she had MIXED them they went tink-
ling of to the steep pastures,
Even In midsummer the dawn was
chill In preiberg. She blew On her
last embar; so she went into the clut~
tered courtyard and broke into
pieces one Of the iimbs she had car
ried UP from the valley earlier IN
the season. The fire renewed Its
cheerful eraekie. the kettle boiled
prIsky, and the frugal breakfast vas
under ~sy.
There was ssity one rup of ceffee.
but neither Gretchen nor her grand
mother claimed this luxury II was
for the sick woman on the third noor.
Sometimes at the Black Eagle she
had u ces when her work was done,
lsut to Gretchen the aroma exeeiied
the taste. Her grandmother break
fast and her own out 81 the way, she
carried the coffee sud breed and "a
hot brick UP TO the Invalid The
woman gave her two crowns a week
to serve this morning meal. ssreieh-
en- would have cheerfui!y done the
work for nothing.
What the character of the aonIAn,s
= illness was Gretchen hadn't an idea,
but there could be no doubt that she
was i'll. dss perateiy. had the goose
g.ri but known II. Her face was
thin and the bones were visible M
der the drum-iike skin: her hands
were merely claws But she would
have no doctor, she would have ne
care save that which Gretchen gave
her. Sometimes she remained in bed
all the dap Che had been out Gf the
house but once since she came. she
snysEiiied tho girl, for She never CONF
planned, never asked questions. talk
cd but little. and always smiled kind
iy when the pillow was freshened.
GOOD morning, Frau" said
Gretchen.
"Good morning Liebchen.
II have brought you brick this
morning, fer 1t will be cold TIL the
gun 10 high
Thank YOU
Gretchen pulled the deal table to
the side OF the cot. poured out tbs
coffee, and b,ittered the bread.
"I ought no; to drink coffee. but
it 10 the only thing that warns me.
You have been very patient with me"
Il am glad to help you.''
And that Is why love you. Now,
! have some instructions To give Yen
this morning. Presently / shall be
besides crowns. |
-----ro on arc tirtrkfug of leaving 2,A----
Yes. When ! 60 shall not come
back Under my pillow there is an
envelope. You will find 1t and keep
it."
Gretchen, young and healthy.
touched not this melancholy under
current. She accepted the words at
their surface value. She knew moth
ing about death except by hearsay
s'You will promise to take it9"
yes. Frau
Thanks. little gosling. ! have an
GRAND for you this morning. It will
take you to the palace"
ITO the palace ?" echoed Gretchen.
eyes. Does that frightan youg'
..Ne, Frau; Il only surprises me.
What shall ] do?"
you will seek her hishness and
give her this note"
s.The princess" Gretchen sadly
viewed her wooden shoes and rough
ened hands.
Never mind your hands and feet.
your face will open any gate or door
for yon."
II have never been to the palace.
VIII they net laugh and turn me
out."
If they try that, demand 10 see mis-
exceiiency, Count Won Herbeck, and
say that you came from forty Krum-
erweg."
Gretchen shuddered with mixture
OF apprehension and delight. To meet
and speak to ell thase great ones
And II cannot get In :.
"You will have No trouble. Be
sure, though. To give tha ncte TO no
one hut her hishness, There will be
no anawer. All ask 10 that when
you return you will tell me II YOU
were successful. You may CO."
Qretchen put the note away and
went dnwnataira She dacked her
beautiful head with little white cap,
which cue wore emily on Sundays and
at the opera. and braided and be-
rfIbenea her hair. It never occurred
to her that there was anything un-
usual In the incident. II was only
whom she came out In the K0nig
atsaSse that tine puzzle OF 1t came to
her forcibIN Who Was this old wc-