The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-08

n companion. Within the next year five
Young lovers tried the task, and they
failed. The black mare seemed be-
witched.
By-and-by Barbara was twenty-one
years old, and, when she looked into her
mirror, she knew she was beautiul:
Eleven lovers-goOd young men-had
confessed her charms, but they had been
driven off by the strange fatality attached
to the black saddle-mare. -,
One day new lover came to the mill.
He said his name was Karl Ianhauser.
He was not far from seven-and-twehty,
with bold, frank face, fine, dark eye,
glossy hair, that hung in nut-brown
curls. and stout and strong frame. His
voice was like music, and his smiles like
the Summers sun. He had little money
but great deal of genius. He came up
first to paint the old 'mill-not to cover
the fabric itself with paint, but to paint
its counterpart on canvas; and while
doing this he worked in the house, and
took his meals there. After the mill
was done, he painted some more pictures
of scenery therea bouts; and then he said
he must paint Barhara's likeness. 10
this she readily consented, for she liked
the young artists companionship. Be
fore the portrait was done she wished he
would ask her to be his wife, so she
could put him to The test. And finally
the question was proposed.
Karl asked her plainly to love him,
and be his wife. For an instant she
thought of accepting him without run
ming the fearful risk of losing him, for her
heart would break we're she to lose him
now. But her truth triumphed, and she
told the artist he must ride the black
saddle-mare to the'top of the high hill and
back again ere she could give him an
answer.
>>yhd why is this?" Karl asked.
"Because my Old foster-father, Karl
Won Dunderman. made me promise
never TO marry a man until he had done
it,"
"And have any tried it yet %
''Yes-eleven lave tried and failed
'sSweet Barbara" cried the young
man. clasping the maiden to his bosom
and kissing her, Il shall not lose you.
Thou art mine.
Again Martin nut saddle and bride
upon the black mare and led her forth.
Karl gathered the rcins in his hand, and
put his foot in the slirl'up. Then, with
a cheerful whistle, he brought the beast
n gentle cut viii his whip, and-she
put her nose forward and trotted off.
Away to the top Of the hill she went,
and then came back again, and then he
alightcd.
'Now what say you?" the youth cried,
as he clasped tie maiden once more to
his bosom.
She laid her head on his shoulder, and
; said she was very HAPPY. 1t was ar
ranged that they should be married III
one week.
On the very evening before the marriage
was to take place. the lovers sat together
upon the loor-stone.
barbara" the youth said, sit is me
you love. and not my name, eh?'
, Certainly. But why do you ask such
1 " "'.ostiony' -
My true name is Karl Won Diindermdn:''
"What, the same name as my good
foster-fathcr borc?"
''Ies-he gave it me-"
, "He?--my father"
eyes; l was his own son.
For while Barbara was incredulous.
"When was only twelve years old, "
explained Karl, Il ran away. My father
whipped me very severely, and, as I
thought, without cause. l got one let
ter from him. in which he threatened to
send an officer after me if did not come
home. OF course this was not the kind
of letter to move me. / made my way
to Italy; got place in an artists studio,
and finally gained knowledge of the art
myself. When had become able to gain
my own livelihood set about it; and as
soon as had laid up money enough to
defray my expenses, started for home.
At Mainhardt, where my father used to
live, first learned that he was dead !;
and there, too, learned that he had left
his whole property to an adopted daugh-
ter, who was not only very beautiful,
but who yet remained single after hun
bred proposals for her hand. It was not
the wish for my fathers wealth that
drew me here-I only wished to see and
know the being who had been his to
love, and who had taken my place; for
as grew up loved my father more.
came, and was not long in loving you.
So now you know ALL"
On the next day they were married,
and then Barbara told Karl about the
letter. So they went and got it, and
upon opening it they found it read as
follows:
10 Barbara, Ny Belored Child:-
Once had son. He left me when
only twelve years old, and it was my own
harshness that drove him away Should
he ever come back, it is my hottest wish
that he might become your husband.
But can hardly hope so much. Yet
ere 1 die, if he comes not back again be-
fore. shall leave you with restriction