Middletown transcript., 1898-04-16

l
instant at the miller, and finally sh
dropped her eyes again and murmure
shyly: "What is it, sir? Why do 20
look at me?''
"You seem to be handy wonch,
observed the miller ''The pie wa
steaming hot and yet not burnt, tn
beer was we'll frothed, but not shaker
nor thickened, and the pipe draws well
Where does your father dwell?''
"He is dead, SIR" said the Princes
Osra very demurely.
"And your motherf" pursued tn
miller.
"She also is dead.
"There is small harm in that" sale
the miller thodghtfully, and Osra turn
ed away her head to hide her smile.
"Are you not very lonely, living herr
all by yourself?" she asked momen
later.
"Indeed have to do everything fol
myself" said the miller sadly.
Sand there is nobody toto care fol
your"
"No, nor to look after my comfort, -
said the miller. "Have you any kin.
dred?''
81 have two brothers, sir, but they
are married now and have no need Of
me-"
The miller laid down his pipe, and,
setting his elbow on the table, faced
Princess Osra.
"H'm," said he. "And is it likely
you will ride this way again?'
ST may chance to do SO, said Osra,
and now there was glance of malicious
triumph in her eyes, and she was think
ing already how the bracelet would look
on her arm.
"Ah." said the miller, and after a
pause he added: "If you do, come half
an hour before dinner, and you can lend
a hand in making it ready. Where did
you get those fine clothes?"
"My mistress gave them to me, !" an
swered Osra. "She has cast them off. :"
Sand that horse you rode?"
1T is my masters. I have it to ride
when do my mistress errands. -
"And will your master and mistress
do anything for you if you leave your
service?'
81 have been promised present if"
said Osra, and she paused in apparent
confusion.
"Aye, !" said the miller, nodding saga
ciously, and he rose slowly from the
armchair. "Will you be this way again
in a week or so?'' he asked.
81 think it is very likely, answered
Princess Osra.
"Then look in," said the miller,
"about half an hour before dinner" :"
And he nodded his head again very sig
nifcantly at Osra and, turning away,
went to his work as a man goes who
would far rather sit still in the sun. But
just as he reached the door he turned
his head and asked, "Are you sturdy?"
"I am strong enough, think, y said
she.
IA sack Of -four is heavy thing for
a man to lift by himself, remarked
the miller, and with that he passed
through the door and left her alone.
Then she cleared the table, put the
pie, or what little was left, in the lard
or, set the room in order, reflled the
pipe, stood the jug handy by the oask
and with look of great satisfaction on
her face tripped out to where her horse
was, mounted and rode away.
The next week-and the interval had
seemed long to her and no less long to
the miller Of Hofbau-she came again,
and so the week after, and in the week
following that she came twice, and on
the second of these two days, after din
ner, the miller did not 60 off to his
sacks, but he followed her out of the
house, pipe in hand, when she went to
mount her horse, and as she was about
to mount he said:
"Indeed you are a handy wench. -
"You say much of my hands, but
nothing Of my face, " remarked Princess
Osra.
"Of your face?'' repeated the miller
in some surprise. "What should say
of your face?n
"Well, is it not comely face?'
asked Osra, turning toward him that he
might be better able to answer her ques-
tion.
The miller regarded her for some mo-
ments; then slow smile spread on his
lips.
"Oh, aye, it is we'll enough!'' said
he. Then he laid a doury finger on her
arm, and he continued: eff you come
next week-why, it is but half a mile
to church. I'll have the cart ready and
bid the priest be there. What is your
name?" For he had not hitherto asked
Osra's name.
"Rosa Schwartz" said she, and her
face was all alight with triumph and
amusement.
"Yes, shall be very comfortable
with you," said the miller. "We will
be at the church an hour before noon,
SO that there may be time afterward for
the preparation Of dinner"
That will be on Thursday of next
week?n asked Osra.
Aye, on Thursday, said the miller,
and he turned on his heel. But in q
minute be turned again, saying, "Give
me kiss, then, since we are to be man
and wife, /" and he came slowly toward
her, holding his arms open.
"Nay, the kiss will wait till Thurs
day. Maybe there will be less -four on
your face then" And with laugh she
dived under his outstrecthed arms and
made her escape. The day being warm,
the miller did not put himself out by
pursuing her, but stood where he was,
with broad, comfortable smile on his
lips, and SO he watched her ride away.
Now, as she rode the princess was
much occupied in thinking Of the mill
er Of Hofbau. Elated and triumphant
as she was at having won from him
promise Of marriage, she was yet some
what vexed that he had not shown a
more passionate affection, and this
thought clouded her brow for full half
an hour. But then her face cleared.
"Still waters run Deep" said she to
herself. .'He is not like these court gal
lants who have learned to make love as |
soon as they learn to walk and cannot |
talk to woman without bowling and |
grimacing and sighing at every word. |
The miller has deep nature, and sures |
" ] have won his heart, or be would |
- ~ L n IL