The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-31

but rapidly along the dean" until ne
sat within "a foot OF her.
After this they rested for fully a
quarter OF an hour. Then Anna yawned
again. This decided Reuben; with an
energetic slide he cleared the interven-
ing space anu sat beside his sweetheart
Anna semi-laughed semi-uneasily
wAeyeupon Reuben's arm stole about
her waist.
"Ach. do-o-on't." said she.
"Ach now" returned he.
Anna did not move. Every night that
Reuben called upon her the same thing
happened: yet now she said coyly,
Don't, Reu-eu-cu-ben."
Reuben stared at her for an instant,
hhen he asked: Zach. vhy?"
Anna knew not what To say, so she
answered: so"
But Reuben. who did NIT grasp the
subtle meaning OF her explanation, re-
peated stupidly: 500
Anna answered not; she was con-
quercd.
They sat in silence. The little lamp
sputtered threateningly. and smoked
voluminously, but Anna was not 10 be
frightened. and Reuben could not be
smoked out. They simply looked at the
flickering light in surprise, but without
fear.
After an hour OF unbroken stiffness
Reuben said: "An-a-anna."
"Vhat?"
''Yoo know oil Geisendoerfer?"
Yah"
He's tet dead aIretty."
"So-o-oh?"
yah"
After a half hours silence Anna OBJ
served "Reu-eu-euben?"
Yah"
Pop din't get droonk to-day yet"
Gn tone OF astonishment): 5000
oh?"
YAH
silence.
Presently both fell asleep-gradually.
one without disturbing the other.
Fifteen minutes later the loud snor-
ing of Reuben awoke Anna. She shook
him out OF his slumber.
"Ach." quoth She "yoo make noise. "
Reuben was dumb. thereby indicating
that he acknowledged the truth OF this
observation.
Shortly afterward they were sound
asleep again. II was not long. however.
before the shril legato OF Anna's snore
startled Reuben. He shook hcr until she
awoke. "Ach," he said with revengeful
loquacity "yoo mex mooch Noise for
vun girl alretty."
Anna accepted his rebuke meekly; she
said nothing.
They were beginning 10 doze again
when an idea struck Reuben. He said:
"I make m'self home now. Anna" and
arose She did likewise, and followed
him to the kitchen door. There they
paused. Reuben gazed long and silently
at the sleepy little stars overhead. lie
seemed to be greatly astonished at
something: perhaps he was counting
them. and marvelled at their number.
Sfa " of "A
light in Neighbor Milrhsacks window
three hundred yards away.
Presently a rowing cloud covered
eyelid wise, a dozen blinking stars
Reuben extended his hand aud said:
Gut nacht" Anna grasped ii. Gut
nacht." she said. Farmer Milchsack :
light went out. II was 10 o'clock on the
minute.
Their hands dropped to their sides
and after a moments indecision. Reu-
ben walked away slowly. He halted
under the farthes; plum tree, wheeled
about and called:
Anna!
"Ach. yes"
IL come tomorrow"
"All recht."
Gut nacht, Anna"
''Gut nacht, Reuben.
He stood there until he heard the
kitchen door close. Then he went
home.
Early the next morning Reuben
passed by the Huth homestead on his
way to work. Anna was sweeping the
space before the front entrance and
Mrs. Huth was wedding in the garden
The old woman had just made some
mysterious discovery which she had
evidently communicated 10 Anna fol
on the girls face there was look oi
wonder.
Gut mornen'," said Reuben.
"Gut mornen'," replied Mrs. HUH
and Anna in unison.
Coin to work, Reuben inquired
Mrs. Huth.
"Ach, yes" answered ne. looking al
Anna. who thereupon began 10 sweel
the brick walk.
Then after "A minutes silence. Mrs
Huth looked at Anna and asked: Ven
when you all bose Cboth) get mareo
vunce, HIP :.
Anna ceased her sweeping and nod
ded toward Reuben. He looked at hei
stolidly and said: Sunday? So%'
They had courted for only two years
This was therefore only short notice
but Anna only blushed and said: "Ach
! don care.
, Reuben then looked anxiously a.
Mrs. Huth, but she said, almost gayly
"Ach. ! don care. Whereupon ne
looked relieved, said "All reeht anc
walked away. almost briskly
And this was the ending OF Rcuxr
Fatzinger's courtship.-New forF
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