The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-01-04

smiles, her whole being seemed an incarna'
ton of the season.
This Is one Of the prcttiest creatures
have ever seen,' said cOurtier to the king.
But his majesty was pale and moody. lie
had felt his whole heart 60 out toward dear
Maud, sweet Maud, whose hand he had taken
50 often in his own without one quickening
pulse. and he was angry that he had no,
noticed her charms before. The impulse Wa,
strong upon him to call her by name, when
he first saw her; but he thought of his new
estate. of his courtiers seated beside him. and
the preceding seemed undignifed. AS he
went on his way, however, he sighed 50 fre-
quently us to attract the notice OF his attend.
ants, who smiled at each other, but wisely
kept their opinions to themselves.
The king was utterly disgusted at the sight
Of his Spanish .fdneee. lie found her high
nosed. thick-lipped, and merciless with her
tongue. BE it known that she took pains to
appear to the least possible advantage, be-
cause she had some little private project of
her own IN hand, which this marriage would
cfectually break up.
Il don't like herT said the king.
nut reasons OF state
'lIang your reasons Of state' cried he like
a bluff, jolly old farmer; Il tell you | won't
have her, and there's an end u the matter y
In vain the chief advisers talked of policy,
of defeat, of the thousand and one things
that might happen if he would, and tha.
wouldn't happen il he didn't. lie turned q
deaf ear to it all, for there was but one image
in his thoughts-thc image of pretty Maud,
the May Queen.
I'll have none but her. he said to him
self.
After while, however. his ministers and
courticrs tcased him so that he reluctantly
gave them hope that ultimately he might
acccde TO their wishes. Meantime he had as
much as he could do to ieep on the alert
against those who he was sure were thirst
ing for his life. His head was filled with
state papers, petitions, and the myriad cares
that he was far too conscientious to throw
Of. Only once he descended from his dignity,
and managed to escape the notice of the jeal.
Dus eyes watching him on every side; and,
ionning an old shirt, maryelOusly like the
Dne in which he hoed potatoes, he went slyly
n'o III 10 go, =" L.J IL, - c,,L".
y" III ,1,'' ,a W % .,a ..;,1 1 n9 -.
;,,ls scbooiroom m 0' There u wos % nobodv thor.
~ 80 ,ho soba,ars h,d hoen d;sn,;.S"d Thar,
was her seat, however; the chair with the
law feet that had been loaned from the best
Dom at home. There was her desk with
% 's"d Thoro ras u !, ~ oopns,,;.h I;,,Ia b,acL
Ill I'm, anr,m ~ ho,,;na rrou ! Nil 0h h"w
n",o M bn, .n"aSs,;Ss "S " wor. ,iI ,hoso tb;ncs
Vbcv snate ~ bsr nressrcc ShouM no 90
artIsr, yss be must soc Maud She who
,ossossod b;s wboIe .oni ON off no went and
ros nass;n, that identical notatn.natcb when
"a ~ saw a si,bt that olmost turned him into
tonc There under the shadow of the grand
IA annie tree that stood alone in the field,
n Nand leaning acain.t the trunk. while
,endina over her with a world ofloye m his
ark owe, stood the counternart of himself.
,,,nh tho ea,ncr.s how .,neak;ny cvcntfui
rords' Then Maud glanced dp, her grey
yes beaming an answer in the honest face,
he blush mantlinc her delicate skim, her lips
ike scarlet threads. and both were happy.
BUT the sight filled the poor pseudo king
With rage He hurried back almost like
nadman. cursinc himself for his foolishness
n giving up real for imaginary happiness.
lie astonlshed his courtiersby greater want
II good manners-ior king g-than ever, and
rev harsh and inorose, 80 that there were
erions thoughts of putting him oit ,of the
yay in some manner. Atlast his folly reached
% su III pitch, that he declared that he
would have Maud. the schoolmistress, before
INV high born lady in the land and he gave
riders, secretly, that she should be captured
md brough, to the palace. sIhi, was easily
lone, for in those days the Ssord ofa king
vas law in such cases, and men dared not
ue for Justice The pretty, innocent Maud
vas taken from her school and forced away
he knew not whittier. Half frightened to
leath she was set down by the kings palace,
md then conveyed by private entrance to
me of the most magnificent apartments in
he whole mansion. As the poor child stood
here pale, indignant, vet wondering at the
plendor on every hand, several persons at
ired with the utmost elegance entered, bear
ng caskets on salyers, which they deposited
N ivory tables. Then came women also
labted rcgally, holding rich brocadcs EN-.
,roidered with Jewels. There they spread
,ut till every couch cleaned with rare and
beauty. But poor Maud stood
es,less. excited and unhappy. What did all
hese shows mean? Allhorrible things which
he had read thronged her Imagination she
rembled, and tears filled her eyes. Present.
v she heard soft music, then doors, opened,
md the king, maCni6cently appareled, en-.
cred. Maud started back with fear in her
ooks, but his majesty gently advanced.
Sweet maiden he said, 'those who have
ound favor in the kinr'seycs should not shrink
rom his rrrrence Wc have long known
,onr y;rtncs and of,cn dwclt unon YOUR
,Con,v Come therefore and Share our
-. r., 100 ,G,r van bonnr,bIs mar.
.;aoa,
Sh,sb.d ,,rnrised. Maud stood looking
non h;m in STRANGE hsw;ldsrmcnt The
80 Ln, ,La ,,eos,,,,s d,n,b,crp I'm.
she must b. dreaming.
an ,.orr m,;es,y LOT mo 90 bomc.' she