The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-09-01
A MAID AND
A MILLER
By cLARlssA MAcKIE

LAC utooplA6 WILLOWS tuat IrlnSe0 the
messy banks. The green of the trees
was reflected in the placid stream and
formed a green pathway down which
Barbara's boat idly floated with the
slow current.
The girl had ceased rowing and she
| rested on the oars with delicious
sense of freedom from the noisy outer
world.
Her eyes were fixed on the arch of
sreenery overhead and her thoughts
were OF the tender green of the trees.
and the delicate blue of the sky, etched
with fleecy clouds. the rapturous SONG
of thrush in the thicket.
And SO she did not hear q distant
'oaring that grew nearer and nearer
until sudden onward rush of the lit.
tie craft awoke her to the realization
That new element had come into her
enjoyment
Inc river was now tumbling over
smooth rocks, sending white foam into
The boat. and behaving altogether like
riotous schoolboy who has broken
bounds for the day.
Barbara turned and looked and bent
20 her oars with frightened cry; but
The boat only whirled madly in a swift
current that was drawing her danger
Dusty near mill dam where a huge
wheel turned; throwing silver circle
Of water against the dark background
Of the mill. She closed her eyes and
screamed once; then she seemed to
aoat away on river of inky blackness.
cold dash of water in her face
aroused her to consciousness. She was
lying on the floor Of the mill, near the
open doorway, where the river rushed
by. There was a dry, dusty smell in
the air. and over her bent a young
man, dusty white from head to foot.
Barbara sat up with a sudden reali.
sation of what had happened.
Il am not drowned after ALL" she
said with an air Of surprise. did you
save me-where Is the boat?"
You seem very much alive, indeed"
he returned with a smile that crinkled
the corners of his eyes and mouth. Il
happened to be standing down on the
cocks, yonder, netting some minnows
or bait when heard you scream; Just
hen the bow Of your boat dashed up
The rock where stood and l merely
aad to grasp 1t and pull it high and dry
On the rock-there 1t is now"
Barbara looked at the strong. ath-
etic figure of the miller, his muscular
'orearms standing out bare and brown
against the dusty whiteness of his
clothing.
You must have been very strong to
nave done such thing" she said,
quietly. Il cannot tell you how CRATE
Jul am to you-you have saved my
life"
You overrate my heroism." He
smiled down at her. IF the boat had
not dashed upon my rock do not
know just how could have reached
you In time. Fortunately the wheel
stopped just as you screamed. It is
noon and the men have just left the
mill"
you are the miller. suppose" said
Barbara, rising and leaning against the
open doorway.
Il am miller" he said whimsically.
but am not working today. There is
quiet little brook, tributary to the
river, where shall catch some brown
trout for my supper-no I am not so
unsportsmanlike as to use minnows
for trout fishing! The minnows are for
the miller's young son, who catches
'perches' as he calls them! For trout,
there is nothing like the Scarlet
Dragon!"
He pulled a fly book from his pocket
and opened it, revealing the delicate,
vivid-hued flies in rich assortment
dear to the heart of any ardent fisher
man.
Barbara placed slender finger-tip
on one Of the flies. 1.-The Scarlet
Dragon-my brother-in-law uses no
other"
That's queer" remarked the miller.
Il have these made to order for myself
and friend-a classmate at college. We
share the secret of the Scarlet Dragon
alone"
The girl looked curiously at him,
wondering why a college graduate
should become miller in the heart of
the woods. She wondered what freak
of fortune had turned his efforts to
grinding the corn and wheat of the
neighboring farmers into snowy flour
and rich golden meal
There was sound of mems voices
approaching the mill. The miller
looked at his watch. 1T is one O'clock"
he said. Before the wheel starts in
motion will get your boat of and
take you UP the river out Of the swift
current-if may"
you are very kind. indeed" said
Barbara, realizing for the first time
how pleasantly the hour had sped. 81
came out for lazy day on the river,
and If do not hasten shall lose 1t.
after all.
Together they left the mill and
walked along the bank to where a
quiet brown pool was circled by great
rocks. Balanced on the largest roclr