Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-10-28

81 am the king of the Gambia
Islands !"
"Ah" says Beauty gravely. She re
CARDS him attentively for moment o
two in her slow pretty fashion, and thel
goes on: "Your Majesty has done me I
great honor; had no idea | was convers
ing with royalty"
"Well, one mightn't think it certainly
to look at me- said Mr. Bohun modest,
ly, "but the fact remains
Il should rather fancy your people
must be troublesome. | shouldn't think
you would nave much of a time with
them says his companion timidly.
"You are right" says Mr.. Bohun,
"but that arises principally from the reason
that | am seldom among them; their at
tentions are little too pronounced for
my tastes, so are their meals. Even
when | do visit them it don't seem to
signify; they don't trouble Overmuch ;
and of late years have noticed that the
levees grow smaller and smaller You
see, they have rather playful way of
themselves scarce, especially in
famine times, and it is pretty nearly al
way famine times
Poor people how their poverty
must distress you" says Beauty.
Not so much as you might imagine"
says Bohun; "as told you before. ex-
cept on very rare occasions, don't infict
my society upon them
why" with interest.
LEST they should make me scarce
too"
"Ah" says the lovely lunatic so COM
prchensively, that Bohun for little while
stares at her refcctively. Then he says
gently;
Now have told you all my private
affairs, don't you think you might con-
ide little in me; May ask your
name
She lowers her eyes and hesitates per-
after which she says with gentle
dignity:
Il am the Queen of Hearts! -
Indeed says Bohun, with a quick
smile, "you amaze me, did not know
that there was d queen in the room, and
such a Queen. After all, it was no COM
mon instinct drew me to your side. Like
nclincs to like You know, and birds of
a feather
'"Gathcr no moss, says the Queen
IF Hearts unsmilingly.
Quite so, replies Mr.. Bohum, though
perhaps at this moment he is a little
u,t httle-at fault. Again he starcs
at her meditatiyely Certainly she is a
very able lunatic.
Your kingdom is q larger one than
mine, he says presently.
1T Is universal" returns her Majesty
mildly. ut grows every hour
1t has certainly grown within the
asst hour" replies he; you have made
. fresh conquest. VIII your Majesty
leigh to enroll me as new subject =
you" with laugh full of amuse-
nent, and a vivid blush, $50 soon Oh.
t is impossible
at Is quite possible. l would be, not
,our subject, but your slave says Bo-
hun, warming to his work, and insenSi-
bly, moving a degree nearer to her.
At this unexpected movement on his
part, the fair Queen shows signs Of fear.
She pales yisibly, and casts an anxious
ook around her. Then, shrinking from
MIN, she makes quick gesture, suggest
We Of instant fight.
Have offended you: Surely YOU
are not afraid of me-" asks Bohun re-
proachfully.
"Oh! no-no. 1t is not that, mur-
nurs she family; "only YOU are 500
mpetuous. The fact is, cannot speak
o you-if you-stir'
Her fingers clasp each other nervously.
There is a good deal Of unmistakable
'ear in her large blue eyes.
("Hysterical," :" thinks Mr.. Bohun,
very highty; and unsettled, poor little
hing
Very WE'LL" he says, "then shan't
stir; but at least relieve my anxiety.
Tell me you do not reject me, that you
will accept me as subject
"Of course accept you. Why should
not: Only moment since confess |
felt a little frightened; and remembering
where you came from, | half thought YOU
were going to bite me-"
"It was most natural thought" amia-
bly,; "but reassure yourself; it is 50 long
since tasted human flesh, that have
almost lost my zest for it. | promise
| shan't take bit out Of you,
at all events"
Remember, a royal promise can never
be broken says the Queen earnestly.
Il shall remember it, replies he.
Then ensues a slight pause, broken at
length by her.
"Haye you been here long,
Not very long
81 imagined that. Your face is strange
to me-"
"Yes. | shan't stay long, either.
am leaving very soon, so perhaps we shall
never meet again
Is it fancy, or does look of infinite
fall into her lovely eyes at
these words: She is gazing at him, sadly,
as it seems to Bohun; then the
ewes are lowered, and the look is gone.
Have you been here any time" he
asks in his turn.
"Yes, nearly three weeks. | do not
like it. too am going away tomorrow"
Bohun regards her silently, and surely