The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-04-19

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she held tho jug while he took Il lo ~
draft; then she brought coal in the
tongs and held it While he lit his pipe
from 1t; then she sat down by him. For
several moments he pulled, and then at
last he turned his head and looked at
Princess Osra, and she dropped her long
lashes and cast down her eyes, and next
she lifted her eyes and glanced for an
instant at tho miller, and finally she
dropped her eyes again and murmured
shyly: What is it, sir? Why do you
look at me?''
You seem to be handy wench. /"
observed the miller Tho pic was
steaming hot and yet not burnt, the
beer was well frothcd, but not shaken
nor thickened, and the pipe draws we'll.
Where does your father dwell?"
"IIc is dead, sir, said the Princess
Osra very demureiy.
And your mother?" pursued the
miller
''She also is dead
There is small harm in that" said
the miller thoughtfully, and Osra turn.
ed away her head to hide her smile.
Are you not very lonely, living hero
all by yourself?" sho asked q moment
later
Indeed | have to do everything for
myself" said the miller sadly.
And there is nobody TOTO care for
your"
mo, nor to look after my comfort"
SAID tho 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 pipo, and
setting his elbow on the table faced
Princess Osra.
Him." said he. "And is it likely
you will ride this way again?"
II may chance to do so," said Osra
and now there was n glance Of malicious
triumph in her eyes, and sho was think
ing already how tho bracelet would lool,
on her arm.
"Ah," said the miller, and after
pause ho added: IF you do, como half
an hour before dinner, and you can lend
hand i'll making it ready. Where did
you get those fine clothes?'
My mistress gave them to me-" an
swered Osra. "Sho has cast them off. "
land that horse you rode?"
1T is my masters. l have it to ride
when l do my mistress erranCs." "
"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 iii apparent
confusion.
AYE, said tho miller, nodding saga
/ ri c1xr Il hn ,1o
! armchair. "Will you be this way again
i'll a week or sop he asked
Il 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
nlticantly at Osra and, turning away,
went to his work as man goes who
would far rather sit still in the sun. But
just as he reached the door he turned
his head and asked, "Aro you sturdy?"
81 am strong enough, think" said
she.
| =" A sack Of flour is heavy thing for
/ 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 littlo was left in tho lard
er, set the room in order, refilled the
pipe, stood tho jug handy by the cask
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 q 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?'
We'll, Is it not comely face?''
asked Osra, turning toward him that he
might be better able to answer her ques.
tion.
| Lho u6r lOr bO1IO mo-
ments; then slow smile spread on his
lips.
"Oh, aye, it is well enoughr' said
he. Then he laid floury finger on her
arm, and ne continued: "If you como
next week-why. it is but half mile
to church. I'll have tho cart ready and
bid tho 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
Eyes, 1 shall DO 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." asked Osra.
AYE, OH Thursday, said tho miller,
and he turned on his heel But in O
minute he turned again, saying, "Give
me kiss. then. since we arc to be man
and wife" and he came slowly toward
her, holding his arms open.
may, the kiss will wait till Thurs
day. Maybe there will be less flour on
your face then. " And with q laugh she