Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-10-16

thu ga" WOulu Ike ner Ia
'''"sr the keys Immediately.
Ihe princess's manner was as formal
\ uS own, and her tone as naughty
"'en' after little pause, she replied
'Sir knight, doubtless thou art not
aware that in the possession Of the
eO~n prince are papers showing that
vaa this estate goes a signet ring.
,pe ring is always in possession of
u' rlghtful heir and that ring l
Inc knight was exceedingly angry.
| Ou' ne brought all his arts of fascina-
''l TO bear upon the princess, think
AIg 70 induce her to show him the
i'AC' out all in vain. Quite out of pa
'slce at length he told her if She did
Wy give up the ring Immediately lie
would set every person on the estate
@gathering spiders from field. forest,
Her, and castle and would fill her
a@rtments, her clothing nay even
4lR couch with them. The princess
iaaked with fear at even the thought
lathls, and enyelOping herself in her
men wrap preceded the knight to the
Senal that was high up in one of the
y'stern towers. Here behind a coat
Il mail that was hanging upon the
rnli sne touched a spring that opened
iSecret drawer within which was
aall golden key. With this kew
9sely clenched in her hand, and the
ltly knight close at her side, she pro
eded to the great picture gallery.
here behind the life-size portrait of
r own beautiful mother she found
iother secret drawer, and taking
erefrom an ivory casket she unlock
1t with the golden key, disclosing
10 coveted prize.
Let me examine it, please" entreat-
the knight.
Never" cried the princess, now
at the ring was in her hand, impress
by the instructions regarding it she
bg r~cetved from her parents. and
s1nuycst ~ her own syeaIvness in b.-
3 frightened in her own castle. amid
T own people by stranger.
The knight. quite forgetting all his
'umed courtly ways, sprang to talk
from her, when, quick as thought,
. threw it out of one of the deep
rrow windows that the knight had
ened on account Of the closeness
the air, in the long disused gallery.
flashed like coal of fire in the sun
ht and was gone.
"Mad girl" shouted the knight, an
lily. at has fallen into the moat p
d leaving the princess he rushed
wn the starts.
With her heart beating wildly, and
r eyes sparkling with excitement,
e young girl leaned out the narrow
ndow and looked far below to where
Q gray walls of the strong square
Ner were reflected in the still black
aters of the moat.
"Ah ! what is that 2" she cried. for
1t below her, even within reach of
r hand the signet ring hung secure
caught in the meshes of an ancient,
sely woven spiders web. Although
spider was close by. curiously re
riding this singular prey, the prin-
IS did not mind, but reached down
d secured the ring without fear
she did so, standing there in front of
portraits of her parents, she seemed
hear their voices, explaining once
re the significance of the ring, and
ting forth her duty to all the de-
ldent people living on her estate.
TO whom much is given much
III be required" she said half aloud.
ear me how selfish | have been"
md securing the ring to chain
tened about her neck, she, too, ran
wn the winding stairs, quite regard
OF her linen wrap that lay forgot
on the dusty oaken floor of the
lery, and astonished her servants
dispatching courier with a letter
the crown prince.
The knight meanwhile had set all
laborers about the estate to draw
water off from the moat and search
muddy bottom for the ring. While
y were thus engaged, with the
lght in the greatest excitement and
lowed by his servant, pacing back
! forth across the drawbridge.
npany of horsemen arrived who
| been sent from court. The Prin-
5 Philippine met them in the gar
nts, laces and jewels of her beauti-
mother and on one dimpled finger
irkled the signet ring.
The grand old courtier who bowed
II her proffered hand, said: "Your
G and your bearing establish your
nifty for knew your parents and
but this signet ring sub
ntlates your rightful ownership to
estates beyond a doubt"
The designing knight and his ser
1t were banished from the country
ung Prince Basil was sent for ana |
st gladly returned home. The
wn prince and princess and a great |
nue from court came TO the wed |
g and the feast surpassed anything |
It had been in the castle for hun. |
DIS of years.