Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-08-17

1 y
can't tell it as it ought to be told; but
the young knight must have sat and
looked at her-can't you fancy it2-
while she sat at his table and ate mis-
frugal dinner-and then-she said she
would love him-be his own true
princess he would give her his
bird
well, said Esther, smiling, 1.-The
princess did get the bird in one way
if not in another And I wonder If
the young knight quite loved her
when he saw her eating it.''
so, you hard hearted woman ~
cried Tessy. Il thought of that,
too"
Then rising with quick change of
manner, she said: Il wonder if
Joseph would contribute his beloved
violin to make fire for me if | were
freezing"
Esther began to understand.
The next day Miss Payne was not
so we'll She was lying on the sofa in
the little parlor, when Tessy came
and knelt by her, and took her two
hands. The girl had strange, sad
feeling, as if she were lost in wood,
with no one to show her the way
out.
4 don't know what to do for you, -
she subbed. ''Yor are getting worse,
Esther; what is it? Shall / send for
some one? 0, why does not Joseph"
She stopped suddenly, but Esther
heard, and the next day a message
found its way to that young man, who
answered in person.
He walked straight up to Esther's
chair when he came in.
81 did not know you were i'll, he
said; and oh, the sense of comfort, of
rest, that the invalid felt when she
heard his voice-when she looked
into his clear eyes. Is it anything
serious? | am so sorry"
Esther smiled gently; but he grew
grave with startling fear when he
saw the change in her.
1T is not painful-only a little
troublesome, and l should not
mind it SO much, but Tessy frets over
me.
Joseph looked for the first time at
Tessy, who was sitting apart by the
window. She barely glanced up as
he spoke, but there was bright red
flush in her cheek. And her eyes
how soft and appealing they were, as
they looked at him so briefly, Perhaps
he had been unnecessarily harsh with
her; she was so young-j just slip of
a girl, a white flower unfolding.
Presently Tessy slipped from the
room.
Come closer, Joseph" began Miss
Payne, nervously clasping and I'M
clasping her hands; II have but a
moment, and wished to say to you
perhaps | am meddling-I am sick
and have many fancies-but, Joseph,
if | were a young man, loving a shy
half-frightened girl, l should say to
myself should always say to myself
this truth: "A faint heart never won
fair lady"
Joseph looked at her; his face turn
ed red and then white, and then he
burst out into a curious, hysterical
laugh.
God bless you, Miss Payne. | be-
lieve you are the best woman in the
world, he said earnestly. He kissed
her hand; how cold it was. how wan
and sad and tired she looked! but
not meddler: no.
When Joseph took his leave, as he
walked along the hall he heard behind
a door half open the notes of a piano
and a lowv voice singing-Tessy' IS voice.
Joseph hesitated moment, then
plucking up courage, repeating to
himself with a queer little smile the
words, faint heart never won fair
lady" he pushed the door open and
wenL i'll.
Tessy was there alone, playing and
singing softly to herself The jump
ed up when she saw who her visitor
was
Stay he said quickly; II did not
come to disturb you; came to listen"
Tessy stopped and stood silent, with
bent face
Wont you sing me one song" he
pleaded.
But Tessy turned away, and began
to gather up her scattered music
sheets
II can't sing in German" she ans
wered coIdly. My songs are all
simple ones They are only English
songs, not worth listening to-
He looked at her, hesitated once
more for the last time, then took
step forward
why do you treat me in this cold
way, Tessy! he burst out. Have |
offended you in any way? What have
| done
You: No; it is nothing, only
only"
And then it was all over, and Tessy
was sobbing her grief and JOY and re-
sentiment all out together on Joseph's
shoulder
He drew her thus close for little
space, and then he held her out at
arms length away from him.
"Willst du mir NIGHT einen Russ ge-
benz he said, laughing; and then
Tessy lifted flower fair face and Jo-
seph took his kiss.
''Liebchen, he whispered tenderly;
and oh, the beauty of that old sweet
German word as Joseph spoke it!
"Liebchen, shall we tell Esther now"
Then he looked at her more closely.
And you have got on the beloved
white dress You must always wear
it. O weisse Blume."
Tessy laughed Come to Esther
now, she SAID.
But alas. Esther was asleep.
Asleep, and her darling was safe.