Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1908-03-26

hiS IL VIC I4SuL III lie SSItIuS Sun.
My time had passed so pleasantly with
reading and singing and in the i'm
portant business of a housekeeper,
that was quite startled as l counted
up the days and found that nearly ten
had passed since I saw my father for
the last time. With sudden decision
guided my horse toward the village
street, and soon stopped before our
own door. I knocked on the window
with the handle of my riding-whip,
upon which Katharine's head appear
ed; but she drew back with an ex-
preston of such horror as she saw me
on horseback, that I could not help
laughing.
Come out Katharine. I cried,
still laughing, and hold my horse;
want to go up and see how my father
is
'Never!' she cried. This is the
last stroke, that you should come rid
ding down here Oh, how ashamed l
am before the Frau over there. Ride
where you like, if you cannot give up
such goddess amusement, bur don't
come here again
II could not help laughing during
this lecture; my little horse got very
uneasy and made a few springs.
| Heavens!' shrieked Katharine, the
brute will run away with you and you
will break your neck. Come DOWN.
eff you will hold my pretty Zuleika
I will gladly get off, 1 said; she Is as
gentle as a lamb, and will not bite
Katharine made no reply; she only
looked straight at the opposite win
dows of Frau Renner, grew suddenly
crimson, made a gesture and shrug-
ged her shoulders, as if to say, II is
not my fault if she is so spoiled and
then disappeared. I turned my horse;
there stood at the open window Frau
Renner, with such an anxious face;
and the young clergyman also came
I'D lust then and smiled very irOnical-
~, Just as he had done that other day,
But today I was in too high spirits to
! be cast down by it, and waved my
riding-whip with much condescension,
and said:
katharine declares she is afraid
hold it; would like to go up and see
my father I added in explanation
This was a gentle challenge to the
gallantry of the young clergyman, but
he did not stir: he only returned my
greeting and said: I think 1t will be
better for you to ride to the castle and
come back on foot: I am like Kathar
inc, | am afraid of ladies horses.
Then he bowed and disappeared from
the window.
"An unpleasant subject this young
pastor, with his biting irony thought
to myself. Then an idea struck me;
turned my horse round, rode to the
castle, got the little groom who usu
ally accompanied us, and followed by
him, went back to my fathers house
sprang lightly from my horse, with
his help, threw him the bride, and or
dered him to walk with the horses
slowly up and down. Then I went VI
to my father.
g How do you do, Gretchen? Have
you come at last to see about me?
What was all that chatter about
awhile ago? Katharine banged the
doors till the house shook. Heaven
, knows what is the matter with the
old woman said my father. You
come so seldom now, child. ( have
something to tell you, and I am glad
that you have come at last. Come, sit
down
HE pointed to the sofa, turned halt
round in his chair, pushed his glasses
UP on his forehead, and, taking a
long Whit of his pipe, he continued:
You can still stay some time at
the castle, can't you, child?'
Yes, dear father, think they will
be glad to have me-
&" Good, and if they are not, Frau
/ Renner opposite has offered to take
you in, and
To be continued.