Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-05-15
If he would give her his


bird"
WELL said Esther, smiling, athe
princess did get the bird In one way, it
moi in another. And wonder If the
young knight quite loved her when
he saw her eating It'll"
"Oh, YOU hard hearted woman"
cried Tessy. bot thought of that,
too"
Then rising, with quick change of
manner, she said: 81 wonder if Jo-
seph would contribute his beloved
violin to make fire for me, If were
freezinga"
Esther began to understand.
The next day Miss Payne was not
so well. She was lying on the sofa in
the little parlor, when Tessy came In
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 tie way out.
II don't know what to do for you, !"
she sobbed. "You are geting worse,
Esther, what is it9 Shall I send Tor
some onei o, why does not Joseph
She stopped suddenly, but Esther
heard, and the next day 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. SIS it anything
serious2 I am sorry"
Esther smiled gently, but he grew
grave with a startled fear when he
saw the change in her.
'It is not painful-only little
troublesome, and I should not mind it
so much, but Tessy frets over Ine."
Joseph looked for the first time at
Tessy, who was sitting apart by a
window. She barely glanced up as
she spoke, but there was br' ght red
flush in her cheek. And her eyes
how soft and appealing they were as
they looked at him SO briefly. Per-
haps he had been unnecessarily harsh
with her; she was SO young-just a
slip of girl, a white flower unfold
ing.
Presently Tessy slipped from the
room.
Come closer, Joseph" began Miss
/ Payne, nervously clasping and I'M
clasping her hands; 81 have but a
moment and l wish to say to you
perhaps l am meddling-I am sick
and have many fancies-but, Joseph,
ii were a young man, loving shy,
half-frightened girl, | should say to
myself this truth. "A faint heart
never won a fair lady,"
Joseph looked at her; his face turn
ed red and then white, and then he
burst out into curious, hysterical
laugh.
God bless you, Miss Payne. be-
lieye YOU are the best woman in the
world" he said earnestly. He kissed
her hand. How cold 1t was, how wan,
and sad, and tired she looked; but not
a meddler. no.
When Joseph took his leave, as he
walked along the hall he heard be-
hipd door half open the notes of a
piano and low voice singing-Tessy' 8
voice. Joseph hesitated a moment,
then, picking up courage, repeating
to himself, with quiet little smile,
| TIC WOIu6s II diuj t4UdII AOfOA WIN
fair lady," he dashed the door open
and went in.
Tessy was there alone, playing and
singing softly to herself. She jumped
up when she saw who her visitor
was.
Stay" he said quickly. Ibid not
come to disturb you; l came to lis
ten"
Tessy stopped and stood silent, with
bent face.
Wont you sing me one songs" he
pleaded.
But Tessy turned away and began
to gather up her scattered music
sheets.
81 can't sing in German" she an
swered coldly. '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 a
step forward,
"Why do you treat me in this cold
way, Tessy2' he burst out. Have
I offended you in any way, TessyG
What have / done?"
"Yon1 No; it is nothing, only
only"
And then it was all over, and Tessy
was sobbing her grief and joy and re.
sentiment all together on Joseph's
shoulder.
He drew her thus close for little
space, and then he drew her out at
arms length away from him.
whilst du mir nlcht einen kuss
gaben2" he said laughing; and then
Tessy lifted her fair flower face, and
Joseph took his kiss. ''Liebchen," he
whispered tenderly and oh, the beau
ty of that old sweet German word as
Joseph spoke it! ''Liebchen, shall
we tell Esther now9" Then he look-
ed at her more closely. 'tAnd you
have got on that beloved white dress.
You must always wear it, 0 weisse
blume." Tessy laughed. Come to
Esther now," she said. But alas I!
Esther was asleep. Asleep, and her
darling was safe.
PEOPLE WE TALK ABOUT.
Minister McLane arrived in Paris