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Colonel Von Wallenstein curled his ht that had taken hi his drea into his very arms, as it were The sideas narrow Gretchen, casually noting that an officer stood in the way, sensibly veered into the road But to her surprise the soldier left the sidewalk and planted hi this second nized, was bent on intercepting her She stopped, a cold fury in her heart

To o round It was of no use So she stopped again

"Herr," she said quietly, "I wish to pass"

"That is possible, Gretchen"

It was nine o'clock in the asse was at this time deserted

"Will you stand aside?"

"You have been haunting my dreams, Gretchen"

"That would be a pity But I wish to pass"

"Presently Do you know that you are the ?"

"I am in a hurry," said Gretchen

"There is plenty of ti to let you pass till I have had a kiss"

"Ah!" Battle flamed up in Gretchen's eyes Soe, her forebears had been hts in the crusades

"You are very hard to please Soly "Not such as I should care to meet Will you let me by peacefully?"

"After the toll, after the toll!"

Too late she started to run He laughed and caught hold of her Slowly but irresistibly he drew her toward his heart The dead-white of her face should have warned him With a supreme effort she freed herself and struck hith in the flat of her hand Quick as a flash she whirled round and ran up the street, he hot upon her heels He was raging noith pain and chagrin The one hope for Gretchen now lay in the Black Eagle; and into the tavern she darted excitedly

"Fräu Bauer," she cried, gasping as much in wrath as for lack of breath, "may I come behind your counter?"

"To be sure, child Whatever is the matter?"

Wallenstein's entrance was answer sufficient His hand, held against his stinging cheek, was telltale enough for the proprietress of the Black Eagle

"Shahts She was not afraid to speak plainly to any officer in the duchy, however high he ht be placed