ride in allowing no one to be before
her at work, early or late.

Suddenly he arose, and stepping to the porch that led to the yard,
called to Tobias to take the prize cow also to the fair. "Father,"
called a strong girlish voice from the chamber window over the door,
"Father, do you mean to sell the prize cow too?"

Landolin half-turned his head, and looked toward the window, but seemed
to think a reply unnecessary.

He called to the servant not to forget to stop at the "Sword."

The oxen were led out. They moved as though half asleep, then stopped
and looked around, as if bidding farewell to the farm-yard. A splendid
cow followed--she was of Simmenthaler stock, but raised here on the
farm. The cow's eyes glistened as though she were conscious that she
had taken the first prize at the last agricultural fair.

Landolin went down the broad stone steps into the yard, and stood
balancing himself first on one foot, then on the other, surveying with
great satisfaction the animals and the comfortable appointments of his
house.

"Good morning, father!" called the same strong, girlish voice from the
veranda. "I could not sleep till near morning. Father, are you really
intending to sell the prize cow?"

"You do not know as much as I thought," answered Landolin laughing; "do
you think nothing goes to the fair except to be sold? A man sometimes
likes to show what he owns."

"You're right," answered the girl, shaking back her long, flowing
yellow hair, "you're right."

And the miller was right too. The girl was almost too beautiful. She
now seated herself upon the door-step, and began braiding her hair, and
singing softly to herself; but she often stopped, and gazed dreamily
into the far distance with her great blue eyes. She was thinking of
Anton, down by the mill in the valley.

CHAPTER IV.

Arrayed in the velvet coat, on his head his broad hat adorned with a
large silver buckle, and in his hand a stout stick, Landolin came
through the door-way and said:

"Thoma, I'm going now; I want you and your mother to follow soon."

He started on, but waited a while at the gate, for the common people
there, who greeted him obsequiously, to pass by; he could not accompany
those who were driving to the fair only a poor little cow or a goat, or
perhaps going empty-handed to make some small purchases. The Galloping
Cooper greeted him as he hastened by. He was a gaunt man, by trade a
cooper,