Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-07-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
A pLTROTu

! He had loved her so patiently, and now
he felt that he must have his answer 1t
was only fair to her and To himself, too,
that he should know exactly where he
stood in her affections. She had certainly
given him little signs hero and there,
which had made him believe that she was
not Indifferent to his admiration. Little
signs were all worry well for n short time,
but meanwhile tho season was coming to
an end, She had told him that sho was
going back to her work at home, and
then perhaps he would lose her altogether.
1t would not be safe now for him to delay
u single day longer. So the little postman
armed himself with courage.
Warli's brain was muddlcd that day.
He who pridcd himself upon knowing the
names Of MI the guests in Pctcrshof E:ade
the most absurd mistakes about people
and letters. too, and received in acknowl-
edgmcnt of his stupiditya series of scold-
ings which would have unnervcd u strong
er person than the little hunchback post
man.
In fact, he ceased to care how he gave
out the letters. All the envelopes seemed
to have the same name Oh thCm--Marie
Truog Every word which he tried to de-
cipher turned to that. So flnally he tried
no more. leaving the destination of the
letter TO be decided by the impulse Of the
moment. At last he arrived at that quar-
ter Of the Kurhaus where Mario held sway.
He heard her singing in her pantry. Sud
denly she was summoned down stairs by
an impatient bell ringer and on her return
found Warli waiting in the passage.
What IA goose you arer' she cried,
throwing n letter at him. You have left
the wrong letter at No. SO. I"
Then someone else rang, and Marie hur-
ricd off again. Sho came back with anoth-
err letter in her hand and found Warli sit
ting In her pantry.
The wrong letter left ut No. d." she
said land madame in a horrid temper In
consequence. What nuisance you are
today, Warli, Can't you readY Here, give
the remaining letters to me. I'll sort
them"
Warlj took off his little round hat and
wiped his forehead
II can't read today, Marie, +" he said.
Something has gone wrong with me.
Every name | took at turns to Marie
Truog. / ought to have brought every ono
Of the letters to you. But / knew they
could not be all for you, though you have
so many admirers, for they would not be
likely 10 write at the same time TO catch
the same post.
1T would be very dull II they did,"
said Marie, who was polishing some water
bottles with more diligence than was usual
or even necessary.
But am the ono who loves you, Ma
riechen " the little postman said. II have
always loved you ever since j can remcm-
Der am not much TO look at, Mariechen
the binding OF the book Is not beautiful,
but the book itself Is not bad book "
Marie went on polishing the water bot
ties Then she held them up 70 the light
to admire their unwontcd cleanncss.
II don't plead for myself, " continued
Warli II yoG don't love me, that is tho
end az the matter. But II you do love me
Maricchcn, and will marry me, you won't
be unhappy Now have said all .
Marie put down the water bottles and
turned to Warli.
You have been long time In telling
me, /" she said poutingly. Why didn't
you tell me three months aRoS Its too
late now.
oh, Marieohcn, said tho little post
man, selling her hand and covering II
with kisses. you love some one elsc--you
are already betrothedi And now it's too
late, and you love some one clsc!'
II never said / loved some one else"
Marie replied. Il only said IL was too late.
Why, il must be nearly O'Clock, and my
lamps arc not yet ready. haven't a mo-