Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-10-03


turning away when tho Prince, com
ing suddenly to his senses, coHtsons
" thanked her for her trouble.
"There is nothing to thank mt
for" sho answered with a pleasant
smile; ''it was no trbublo to pick III
handkerchief"
"May / ask for whom you have
gathered these flowers 7"
"Only for home. Tomorrow j.
Sunday, you know; andiI always like
t0 have flowers in the window or
that day.
While talking, they hsd approach
ed the edge of the wood, and The
Prince, from delicacy towards his
companion, parted with her there;
but not without having begged per.
mission to visit her home on Tho
morrow. It was granted With .
charming frankness and simplicity
that completed the conquest OF his
heart.
The remainder of the day passed
heavily with the young Prince
Twenty times before night came, he
wandered up and down the path
where he had met the peasant girl;
and when, after hours OF restless
waking, he fell asleep, it vas stiH 70
dream Of her. The next morning he
went to church; bnt to listen to the
good village pastor, whose excellent
sermon passe unheeded by his ears,
while his eyes rested on beautiful
face, and his thoughts followed them.
Leaving the church, immediately
after service. he was proceeding to
join the young girl and her parents,
when he heard familiar voice call
ing him by name. Tie next moment
his unclo Dimltry had grasped his
hand, and, in Russian manner, kissed
him on the forehead, mouth, and
both cheeks.
"Thank God, I hare found you at
last, lmy. dear Alexander" he ex-
claimed, in hearty voice; "Ihave
been hunting for you more than an
hour in this miserable villrge. But
you do MT seem to be very much
elated by my coming. Am I in the
way of any thing, young man ?"
mo, dear uncle; l am only on my
way to pay a visit"
"Oh, there's time enough for that.
We will order dinner at. the hotel,
and meanwhile you can tell me about
home"
Alexander followed his uncle to
the hotel; but while they sat talking
on the piazza it did not escape the
experienced man of the world that
his nephew was sitting on pins and
needles all the time. More amused
than vexed, he suddenly changed the
conversation, and, by adrolt ques-
tloning, discovered that Alexander
had made no acquaintance with tho
guests, or with the resident families
Of rank and fashion. "Then where
the devil lnve yon threwn your
heart ?" he demanded at last, some-
what prcmptorilY for 1t is evident
pan 4>.----..o- ..--i ~.a ~~-e IN lnua
Fooling your time away with some
pretty peasant girl, eh ?"
"Now, my dear nncle"-
"Tut, tut, where's the harm? One
must do something to kill time in
ouch hole as this"
Il do MT see why you call it 3
hole," said Alexander, feeling little
foolish, and anxious to change the
conversation. II never saw more
beautiful scenery, moro romantic"
aQnlt your enthusiasm about bean
tifnl scenery and romantic what -nots.
I have been bored to death in the
most beautiful place in the world.
where I'could not find people TO my
liking. I shall leave for Baden-Ba-
den this evening. and leave you to
pursue your love affair till you are
tired Of it. It is only little past
noon; 60 70 your inamorata, and re-
turn at four. Meanwhile, / will
take u cigar, and anuse myself as
best can"
Alexander was not slow to obey.
There was something IN his unclois
tone and manner which made him
feel uncomfortable, and he was glad
to make his way to the little cottage
where his quick eye had seen the
peasant girl aud her parents enter on
their return from church. The fami-
" were Just sitting down to their
simple MONDAY meal; and he would
havo turned away, for fear Of caus
ing annoyance, had not the daughter
caught sight Of him. Her parent,
made him heartily welcome, aud
Marie-hc now heard her name fol
the first timo-placed chair for hiu
at the table. Simple a. the meal was
the Priuce thought he had never
madesso plessantA dinner. He war
charmed with the sterling good sense
and frankness of the old people
whose respectful demeanor had moth
ing servile or fawning; and as fol
Marie, she was, all grace and pcrfeo
ton ia the eye Of her adoriug lover
After dinner coffee was served in tht
little garden; and, there they sat IN
delightful conversation until Alex
ander was compelled TO keep his en-
gagement with his uncle.
as that the young woman {" asket
uncle Dimltry, later in the day
catching q blush on his nephew
cheek, as Marie aud her parents
passed them on their way 70 after
noon service. Il must say you show
good taste. How long, pray, hav'
you known this wild flower?'
s'Since yesterday" replied Alexaa
der, with alcOncious look.
sSince yesterday |" repeated tn
uncle in astonishsnent: "and TO da,
courting in schurch, and long visi
At the house Quick work, mus
say. Your father wouldn't believe i
| IT / were to tell him; and to tell yo'
the truth. ] hardly believe il mysel
L