Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-06-27
THE PRINCESS AND THE PLUMS.
BY FANNIE WILLIAMS.

KnlgnC VINO came from Cn6 NOrCn QaQ
blue eyes and yellow hair, and great
golden beard flowed over his mail-clad
breast. He bore white banner with a
black raven worked upon it, and raven
and serpent were emblazoned on mis-
shield of shimmering gold. He rode a
milk-white war-horse, and its feet were
shod with golden shoes.
The one who came from tie East was
tall and stately, with flashing dark eyes.
and long black ringlets falling on his
shoulders. He rode coal-black charger,
his hauberk was of glittering steel, his
helmet was of brass, and the device
upon his shield displayed two bears.
holding up a jeweled crown.
He who came from the West was
noble of face and form, and bore him
self with an air of pride. His gray eyes
had a piercing glance, his bearded lip
was naughty as kings and short brown
curls were clustered thickly underneath
his nodding crest. He was clad in a suit
of Milan armor. inlaid with gold which
shone with dazzling brightness; and
costly Jewels glittered all over the har-
ness of his bedroom steed. He bore a
lion on his shield, and blood-red cross
upon his floating pennon.
aWhen the three knights came together
at the crossing, they each drew rein, and
the first one spoke,-
"How now, good comrades! Are we
friends or foes%
81 am a good friend if you please, and
a bad foe if it suits you better?" re-
turned the black-eyed knight.
"And I am friend to all the good and
a foe to all the wicked" said the lion
knight.
"0h, it is plain to see that we are all
honest mem" laughed the first good
naturally. GAS for me my name is Har-
old, and l came from Denmark"
"And I am Waldomar of Russia, a
prince of royal blood, and not unknown
60 fame" said the second, proudly. "In
many rafting fray | still have borne
me like knight"
"I am no stranger to your fame, Sir
Harold and Sir Waldomar," said the
knight, quietly; "and perhaps you know
my banner, if you never heard my name.
Men call me Palmerin of England.
1--WE know both name and banner, and
so does everv one that ever heard tale
of knightly deeds" exclaimed the Dan
ish knight. "Well met, Sir Palmerin p
"What! is it Palmerin the Bold ~
cried Waldomar. "Well met, indeed,
and hope we journey in the same di-
rection."
"My way lies toward the south" said
Palmerin.
"And mine" said Waldomar.
Sand mine" said Harold.
Sir Palmerin looked from the Russian
to the Dane, and smiled a meaning
smile.
care we all riding on the same err
rand, good brothers? he asked.
"Good faith, I hope moi? ?" cried Sir
Harold, "for l am bound to Bohemia as
a sutton for the hand and heart OF the
peerless Lady Isolette."
"And so am l." said Waldomar.
"And l." said Palmerin.
Then the three knights looked at each
other in silence. He of England was the
first to speak.
at appears that we are rivals" he re-
marked. "Yet / see no reason why we
need be enemies. Come, let us join
company and go to Bohemia together,
and let the lady choose between us as
she will"
'That is fair enough" said Harold.
D 81 agree" said Waldomar.
So the three knights took the road that
led toward the south. For three days
they rode on, side by side, and at sunset
of the third day they came to castle IN
Bohemia, where dwelt the Princess lso-
Iette. the fairest of the fair Each blew
a blast upon the bugle horn that hung
beside the castle gate, and quickly the
gray-haired seneschal came OUT 10 lei
ths esWd IN: ORC uo1oono noble Lniob+sn be
said, "and I can guess your business
here"
I'VE are suitors to the Lady Isolette,"
said Harold the Dane.
'And not the first" smiled the senes-
chal, but gravely added, "and I fear you
will not be the last, although my lady
must be hard to please if she takes not
one of you; for three such princely
knights never yet came here together.
Come in, pray you," he continued,
throwing open the gate. "You and your
steeds shall have the best cheer the cas-
tie offers, and tomorrow morning my
lady will see you and give you her
decision"
He led the way within the castle, and
the three knights followed him to the
banquet hall, where they were served
with a supper lit to set before king /;
after which they were provided with
lodgings in a grand chamber, which
might also have suited royal guest.
Whatever might be the lady's answer to
their suits, they certainly could find no
fault with their entertainment.
In the morning they arose and pre-.
pared to pay their court to the princess,
who sent them word that she would see
them directly after breakfast. So they
hurried over their breakfast as fast as
possible, and then the seneschal came to
conduct them to the lady's presence.
They found her waiting for them on
marble terrace at the back of the castle,
from which a long flight of steps led
down to beautiful garden. She turned
to greet them with smile of such en-
tapcing sweetness that each began to
tremble for fear he should not win so
F,,1 NO