Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-04-23
A MAID OF THE MILL.

his back on the grass under an elm
tree and dreamily smoking n good
Cigar, was about rs near q realiza-
ton of his ideas of Utopia as he was
ever likely to be. With plenty of
money, unlimited time and a feeling
of unboundod satisfaction with his
present position, Dick Waroham
was happy. The half gentlemanly,
half vagabond life which no had led
all summer suited him exactly.
His quarters at the inn in the viii
lage over tho hill woro comfortable,
his portfolio was full of sketches,
and trout had risen accommodating
ly to his rod; but, more than all,
thousand times better than all, he
had found in this unfrequented, de-
lightful rural region what he hon
estly believed TO be the sweetest,
pretticst and most modest girl to be
found in any country under the sun.
Whcthor or not he was in love
with her was a matter which he had
not in his own mind fully decided.
When he first saw Dolly Morse, he
was startled at her prettiness, bu'
nothing more. 1t was not until he
had made several visits to Morse's
mill, for skotching purposes, that
Dolly's bright eyes began to haunt
his dreams, and not until after then
did ho discover that, go which way
he would, all roads eventually led,
by some mysterious means, past the
millpOnd and tho water wheel. If
he fishcd, the mill was sure to be in
his way; if he sketched, what OBJ
ject more picturesque than the old
building itself, with it's adjacent
dam, over which the water fell in
wide, thin sheet of silver? Some
times he spoke with Dolly, some
times she was invisible, and after a
time he began himself to suspect
that upon his seeing her depended
whether the day had seemed bright
to him or profitless and dull.
And SO a stranger knowing these
things would have been at no loss
to guess the subject of Dick Ware
hams thoughts as he lay on his
back, with his cigar, that lazy sum-
mer morning. But whatever his
meditations were, no was not long
permitted to enjoy them.
All, there you aro!' exclaimed a
rough, nasal voice near him. I've
been looking fur We.
Wareham raised himself on one
elbow and turned so rs to face the
speaker. Ho saw low browed, sun
burned man leaning over the fence
and regarding him with a look of
satisfaction. The newcomer was
unshavcn and clad in ragged shirt
and trousers. His bare toes protrud-
ed from his boots; his head, with it's
dusky shock Of hair, was surmount-
cd by brimleSs straw hat, and his
lounging attitude, his grimy face
and general appearance of shiftless-
ness advertised him as belonging to
that sect of philosophers commonly
known as "tramps.' Wareham had
frequently met him, sometimes in
sometimes stumbling upon him fish
ing in tho brooks, sometimes find
ing him asleep in the shade. He had
spoken with him but little, but had
set him down in his own mind as
one of those harmless ne'er do wells,
common to every rural community.
I've been looking fur ye," re-
peated the man.
So you said BEFORE" replied
Wareham, lazily blowing a wreath
of smoke into the air. "Well?"
The folks over to the tavern sent
me ter hun, fur ye. ! told 'em
thought ye was down this way, near
the old mill. Generally be, ain t
YEP"
What do they want of me at the
tavern?" asked Dick shortly.
WAL, yer boss is in trouble. Got
throwed in her stall, and broke her
leg"
Wareham jumped to his feet in
stantly.
What" he exclaimed. BLESS
my poor Bess! How could it have
happenod?'
Dunno. Guess they'll have to
shoot her. They're only waiting fur
ye ter como ter gin the order.''
Poor, poor BcSs" repeated Dick,
leaping over the fence and tossing
the man coin. I'm much obliged
to you, my man, for your trouble
Come with me. You may be of serv-
ice"
"Waal, ye go right on, and I'll fol
low. I've got rheumatic in my leg,
and hev to walk Slow
Warcham started off at a brisk
pace, and the other followed, limp
ing slowly. No sooner had Dick dis
appeared over the hill, however,
than the mans manner instantly
changed. His painful lGmeness dis
appeared, and n sudden energy took
possession of his limbs, and turning
quickly about he walked briskly in
the opposite direction, not toward
the village, but directly toward
Morse's mill.
Morse's mill stood in the hollow
among the hill, where the high
road, taking sharp curve to the
east, passed directly across the dam.
Weather beaten and moss grown, it
was a most picturesque adjunct to
the landscape. The portion of the
building fronting the south was o.
oupicd by the miller as a dwelling.
Here, with his daughter, just bud
ding into wOmanhood, Abner Morse