Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-11-08
A SWISS LOVE STORY.

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ears whispered good cheer to Marie.
When fierce winds came rushing down
the mountain side she knew the trees
would bend their tall heads together and
Irvine their strong arms around her home,
until. robbed of his victim, the bafiled
storm rushed by.
When morning broke, the same friends
stood erect and stately, drawing aside
their leaves and branches, that the sun
beams might not linger in their soft EN-
braces but hasten down to awaken their
favorite, Marie.
Very lovely was the little Swiss maid, |
with violet eyes that now danced and
sparkled and then grew soft and tender as |
little child's. Two rose red lips shut in
her pearly teeth, and when she smiled a |
tiny dimple danced for moment on her |
peachy cheek. Her hair chung in caressing |
curls around her low white forehead and |
fell in rpples of golden sunshine far below
her slender waist. And her voicei Ali
that was Marie's greatest charm. Soft and
clear, not a discordant note marred its
sweet, pure harmony Sometimes as she
sang at her evening devotions the herds
men far below in the valley, catching faint
notes of her song looked up and crossed
themselves, half believing they heard the
echo of an angel choir.
But very few knew Of Marie's beauty.
For when she went with her mother on
one Of her rare visits to the hamlet below
she brushed her wavy hair straight and
smooth back from her forehead, and braid
ed 1t in long, stiff plaits, which fell down
her back.
Her eyelids with their curtains OF long,
silky lashes dropped over her dancing eyes
until one looked in vain for a glimpse OF
their beauty. Her red lips shut firmly over
her pearly teeth, while the dimple hid itself
resolutely away from sight. And her sweet
voice, frightened at its own sound 80 far
from home, grew faint and husky until
in this shrinking, sober damsel. walking
30 timidly beside the Widow Neur, you
would have found it hard to recognize the
beautiful Marie Of the mountain.
SO 1t happened that only her mother and
one other person knew how good and sweet
and how fair Marie was.
This other was stranger who came
from a faraway country and spent his
summers in little house on the noun
tain's very top.
The simple villagers called him "the
wizard" aud told strange tales OF how he
spent whole nights gazing at the heavens
through long tube; that he could fore
tell to an hour when the sun would cover
itself with darkness; but strangest of all
he had little wire stretched for miles
over hills and valleys to the great city.
This wire talked to him in queer language
which no one else could understand.
Tick, tick, tickety, tick, " it said, and it
told him things that happened miles and
miles away.
Marie did not know how wise the wizard
was when lac came TO her home one morn
ing and asked for drink Of water.
He followed her TO the spring when she
went for il, and stopped by the way To
break open a curious stone. He showed
Marie how queerly marked IL was inside
and then told her a story about It, The
usually timid maiden was 30 interested she
forgot to be frightened, and thus strong
friendship between the two was begun.
After this the wizard often came to th'
widows chalet for rest and refreshment Oh
his long rambles, and Marie unconsciously
revealed her charms TO him, one by one
until long before the first summer wa
ended the stranger knew that no girl h
all the canton could be compared will
Marie
On the other side Of the mountain from
the Widow Eeur's home lived anothe
widow. She, too, had but one child-s sol
who was the pride and delight Of her life
This was the brave young hunter ant
guide, Gustavus Friel.
Every one knew and liked Gustavus
He was tall, straight and handsome, witt
flashing brown eyes and laugh rs fran
as a child's: he was the favorite Of the car
ton. and there was not "A girl within II
bounds who would not have been proud t
plight her troth with him.
Gustavus, however, cared little for th
Obgadin maidens He would far rattle
chase the chamOis up the mountain sid
or guide travellers through it's dangerou
masses than spend his time with the fines
Of the maids Of the hamlet.
His mother often said, my son, whe
wilt thou bring me home a daughter an
thyself a wifey"
And Gustavus, smiling and pressing
kiss on her forehead, would answer;
when / find a maid as good as the
mother: but | want no idle shrill voice
wife to disturb our quiet home"
But one day his mother said more sad
and seriously than ever before:
"Gustavus am growing old and feebl
can no longer make and mend thy cloth
and keep our home. Thou must have
wife. Promise me at the fete next wee
thou wilt choose one from among the mai
ems there"
Gustavus reluctantly gave the desir'
promise, but IL weighed heavily upon hill
he could think Of nothing else, and u
more he poudered the heavier his hea
grew
AT last be seized his gun and went o
on the mountain, but the pcrplexinR qut
tion followed him, until in despair
threw himself on the ground groanin
"Ob. that some wise man would make u
choice for me"
A moment after he looked up and sa
as II in answer TO his wish, the wizard q
preaching him
why" he exclaimed TO himself, 'dit
not think Of him before' Surely he, II a
one, can help me" Then with thr'
bling heart Gnstavuf sprang up TO ms
him
The wizard greeted Gustavus warm