The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-22

as queen-1 wish that could make her
one
Wish rather, Esbern, that Heaven may
make her a pious, lowly- hearted maid and,
in good time, wife that she may live in hui
mity and content and die in peace among
her own people,
Esbern said nohing-he could not think
of death and her together. So he and the
widow Kahn walked on silcntly-and so
slowly that they soon lost sight of the two
bthe sisters.
Hyldreda was talking merry Of the grand
sight she had just seen, and describing to lit
tie Resa the gilded coach, the prancing hor-
scs, with glitterng harness. Oh but it was
a goodly train, as it swept down toward the
river Who knows Perhaps II may have
been the king and queen themselves
No. said little Resa, rather fearfully,
you know Kong Toly% never lets any NOR
tai king pass the bridge of Skjelskolr.
Kong Tolv what, more stories about
Kong Tolv + laughed the merry maiden; !
never saw him ! wish | could see him, for
then might believe in thy tales, little one
Hush, hush but mother told me never
to speak Of these things to thee answered
Resa; unsay the wish, or some harm may
come.
Il care not who would heed these elGn
tales on such lovely day? Look, Resa,
down that sunny meadow. where there is Il
cloud shadow dancing or the grass; strange
cloud it is too, for it almos, resembles a hu-
man form.
1t is Kong Tov rolling himself in the
sunshine cried the trembling child; look
away, my sister, lest he should hear u.s.
Again Hydrcla's fearless laugh made mu-
sic through the still air, and she kept looking
back until they passed from the open road
into the gloom of the oak wood.
1T is strange that thou should'st be SO
brave said Rcsa once more. ircmbc at
the very thought of the Elle-peope OF whom
our villagers tell, whilst thou hast not sim
gle fear. Why is it, sister,
i know not, save that never yet feared
any thing answered IIydreda, cdrclcssly.
As for Kong rolv, let him come, | care not.
While she spoke, a breeze swept through
the oak wood, the trees began TO serd'their
tops, and the under branches were stirred
with leaiy murmurinss, as fffe young girl
passed beneath. She lifted her fair face TO
meet them. All. It's delicious, this soft
scented wind; it touches>ny face like airy
kisses; it makes the leaves seem TO talk to
me in musral whispers. Dost thou not hear
them too, little Resa ? and dost thou not
IIyldreda suddenly stopped, and gazed ca
cery down the road.
well, sister said Resa, what art dream
ing of now Come, we shall be laic at church
aud mother will scold.' But the elder sister
stood moionlcss How strange thine eyes
look what dost thou see, Hyldreda.'
/ 'Look-what is there p
Nothing, but cloud of dust that the wind
sweeps forward, Stand back, sister, or it
will blind thee"
Sill lIyllreda bent forward with admirine
eyes, muttering, Oh the grand golden
chariot, with its four beautiful white horses
And therein sits man-surely it is the king
and the lady beside him is the queen See,
she turns
lIyldrcda paused, dumb with wonder, for
despite lhc gorgeous show of jcweled attire
she recognized that face. Ii was the same
she had looked at, an hour before in the little
cracked mirror. The lady in the carriage
was the exact counterpart of herself
The pageant came and vanished. Little
Rcsa turned round and wiped her cyes-she,
innocent child, had seen nothing but a cloud
of dust Her cider sister answered not her
, questionings, but remained silent, oppressed
by nameless awe. Itpasscd not, even when
the chapel was reached, and lIydrcda knclt
tc pray. Above the sound of the hymn she
heard the ravshihg music of the leaves in
the oak wood, and instead Of the priest, She
seemed to behold the two dazzling form,
:, which had sat side by side in the golden
chariot.
Wien service was ended, and all wen
:, homewartls, she fingered under the trees
= where the vision, or reality, whichever !
was, had met her sight. half longing for it
temperance But her mother Whispered
to Esbern, and they hurried II, ldrcda away
She laid aside her Sunday mantle. tn,
scarlet woof which to spin, weave, and fash
ion, had cost her world of pains. How
! course and ugly it seemed She threw i
contemptuously aside, and thought how beau
u tiful looked the purple-robed lady. who wai
y so like herself.
. And why should not be as fair as she
Il l should, i'll were only dressed as fine. IIea
ven might as well have made me lady, in
C stead Of a poor peasant girl
y These repinngs entered tho young hear
u hitherto so pure and happy They haunte
her even when She rejoined her mother, Re
ie sa, and Esbern Lynge. She prepared III
e MONDAY meal, but her step was heavy an
'e her hand unwilling. The fare seemed ooars,
a. the cottage looked dark and poor She won
dered what sort of palace home was tha
& owned by the beautiful lady; and whc;hc
: the king if king the stranger were, preside
as at his banquet liable as awkarJly as did L,
ls bern Lynge at the mean board here.
Id AT the twilight, IIyldreda did not steal OF
nc as usual TO walk with her lover beneath lh
lS rose.porch. She went and hid herself out