Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1889-03-30
TIE FLOWER MAIDEN"

upon the ground made il like velvet
for treading feet. There many lovely
flowers bloomed. and when the moon
babe the dew glistcn on these and on
the iilmy wells of moss, il looked like
forest ono sees in dreams.
Into that dream forest none dared
venture after nightfall. On its out
skirts many had seen an airy form
fitting busily To and fro. \ country
fellow told how. returning from late
revclries. he came face Ia face with u
maiden whose beauty made him dizzy
and dumb.
Seeing him standing aghast. she
laughed n silvcry uncarthly laugh and
vanished into mir. But lie declared in
that one moment lac stood there she
drew his heart from his breast by a
spcll woven of the rays Of the moon
Weeks after lie went signing and pin
ing. then he changed greatly. From
a silly clown he became right scri-
GUS farmer, who minded his crops and
no more returned singing from late
revels. OF surety, they said. the
forest was haunted by Il witch who. in
tho guisc of beautiful maiden. stole
mems hearts and brcwcd witches broth
Of them Simplctons!
No witch was she. bht II pure simple
spirit, whose whole delight was in
doing good. Skilled in the art of heal
ing with herbs, she glidcl into the
homes of the country folk and UNI
known Ia them cured thcirailing chill
drcn with her simple remedies. Often
~ h.I Ia. - H..
child, she laughed softly To hear her
self spoken of rs the beautiful witch
who stole men hearts III the moon
light. Through the night She fitted
in and out of the cottages, then just
before the moon and stars began Ia
pale spcc,lcd 10 her rest within the
forest beautiful. Her home was one
of those marvellous flowers that bloom
by night and remain closed through
ont the day. Sinking into lis cup ere
the first sign of dawn. its petals closed
gently over her. and there she slept
till darkness once more ovcrsprcad the
earth. But when the moons first sill
vcr wand touched the flower il opened
snd. stealing from ITS heart, the maid
en- would speed through the forest on
ncr mcrcliul crf;inu.
Now it Glanced that lately in her
visits To- the sick NIc had seen much
of young physician and felt kindly
toward him because of his noble face
and gentle ways with his patients.
Unknown Ia him She shared his
watches by the dying. and il was she
who effected those marvellous cures
which made him famous in the land.
Stealing behind him while lie mixed
his medicines. she squeezed the juice
of an herb into the eur and even the
physician himself would feel startled
at the wonderful effect of his potion.
The gentle Hover maiden loved little
children; one touch Of her hand when
they were i'll did more for them than
n world of medicine.
\ poor little child was once very
sick with fever. The third time the
young physician WAS sent for he tried
his most powerful remedies and sat up
with the anxious parents To watch
their effect; but his medicine. which
always worked like Il charm, was given
this time 10 no purpose After an
hour the great black eyes of the cliish
looking child CLEANED brighter than
ever. his cheeks were flushed, and he
tossed rcsilcssly from side To side. Il
want my nurse he screamed. shrilly.
Il want my pretty nurse with the
cool hands.
The physician looked qucstioningly
at the parents.
WHO is this nurse he talks off,
The child raves" they said; "thc
fever is gaining on him.
II want my nurse. Your hands
are all hot! | want my nurse with
the cool, cool hands. My nurse. My
nurse"
The physician laid his finger, upon
the child's burning brow.
Thou vert dreaming, my child"
he said pityingly.
Go away" the child screamed
take away those horrid warm fingers
The hand of my pretty white nurse is
like a snowflake. ! want her; where
Is she, my nursc. my nurse.
Suddenly they all wondered Ia see Il
smile break over the little face. Then
the fever flush died from his check.
his eyes closed and he slumhcrcd
peacefully. The worried physician
drew sigh Of relief.
How wonderfully the good pllysi.
clan claimed the fever" whispered the
anxious parents. But the physician
had nothing To do with il. The child
had seen the flower maiden 1T the foot
Of his couch. smiling at him. with her
finger on her lips.
In the summer months there was
much sickness in the village. The
young physician gave himself no
rest. All hours OF the day and night
found him at his post. His eyes grow
hollow aud his checks palcd for want
Of sleep. Unknown 10 him, he had Il
comrade in his duties; one airy and
light Of foot. who fitted nightly with
him through every cottage door, who
helped him mix every dr,uglIt, and
watched his set, weary face across
every couch with loving. plying Dyes
The suffering poor poured blessings
on him, and the simple flower maiden
blessed him, too, for his deeds uf char
ity. Every word of healing or pity
that fell from his lips sic took us u
jewel and treasured ~ h"rlD...
her heart bccanir .i...' VITA ui,.
els. Then il dawuct upon The tc,s.,.
spirit that she lowed The young plIy,i
clan with "a love that was beyond the
power of words.
AS hc is loved by me NJ would
be loved by him. They say the " Itch
has marvellous beauty herr she
laughed gleefully-'1erlaps il will
serve rs "A charm and win his heart.
will reveal myself Ia him tonight.
though il he loved me would il were
for myself and not my bcauiy's sake. "
Little Alise. the blue eyed golden
haired pride Of the village had caught
the fever. For days and days She
had moaned in pain. The young
physician babe the weary parents rest,
and sat himself 10 watch beside her
couch. He loyed the innocent child
who always brought him violets in the
spring.
Little Alise." he whispered, bend
ing over her. ''loOk at me, dost thou
not know met" She shook her head