The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-24

doublet slashed with silver, trunk hose
that had come all the way from Milan,
broad-toed shoes of Spanish leather, and
a ieweled cap, from which jaunty white
plume trailed to his shoulders, placed
lightly upon his golden hair, he looked
man worthy to be loved by the fair and
gentle lady at his side.
Catherine was six years older than the
king, but the difference in years is scarce
ly perceptible between pleasing woman
of thirty-one. and a robust and active
man of twenty five, and her gracious and
sedate Castilian beauty was remarkably
set off by crimson riding habit embroi-
dered with precious stones, a plumed
hat tied by scarf of gold lace under her
chin, the Spanish veil she always wore
caught up with jewels and floating back
from her lovely face, and knot of car
nation colored ribbons against her glossy,
black hair. Those were her happy days,
for Henry still thought her the dearest
woman, and loveliest wife and queen in
Christendom, and they were as merry as
children all the way to Shooters Hill
The music and laughter of the joyous
party, embracing good two score of the
proudest lords and ladies of England,
together with archers and servitors not a
few awoke the echoes as they rode along
the green, hedge-lined lanes, the air all
fragrant from banks of violets and
thrilling with the carolling Of birds. As
they passed down the Dover road across
the meadows, through the orchards and
hay-felds of Kent, more than one farm
house poured forth it's indwellers to gaze
on the royal cortege; and high in the air
we're swung caps and bonnets, and joyous
were the cries, "Long live our merry
king and God save our fair queen"
At one of these farm-houses, stone
cottage empowered with trees and shrub
berry, with matched roof barn and hay
ricks at the rear, the royal party halted
to draw water from a we'll that had a
swinging sweep. The king and several
of the young mobiles dismounted, and a
merry jingle Of jest and laughter ensued
as rosy lips quaffed the cool, sparkling
water, passed around in two broken
cups.
A young girl, eleven or twelve years Of
age, who sat among the bee hives under
the trees, shook the curls from her eyes
as the trampling hoofs, jingling spurs
and merry voices startled the stiffness.
She looked curiously through the inter-
vening hedge at the group of noble
ladies who sat like queens in the saddle.
She was slight little thing, with fair
and winsome face, golden hair, and blue
and surprise.
The queen was the first to catch sight
of the beautiful child, and she beckoned
her to her side with wave of her gloved
hand. The child hesitated and drew
back, evidently embarrassed in the pres
ence of SO many gentlemen; and then it
was seen what was not before visible,
she had slight lameness and used
crutch. Queen GATHERINGS heart was
touched and she cried to the little one:
"Do not mind me, child. knew not
thou vast afflicted, and will come to
thee" And she guided her palfrey close
up beside the hedge.
$50 you cannot go to the May dance,
little one, and they have left thee alone.
What dost thou find to amuse thee?"
"Oh, watch the bees" answered the
girl, sand am not at all lonesome. And
this afternoon they will come for me to
ride in the chariot, for am to be one of
the attendants of the Queen of May. l
have dress that sparkles all with silver
and great wealth of flowers for crown.
Geoffrey says that there will be none so
beautiful as shall be-"
"Who is this Geoffrey? He is an arch
fatterer, 1 fear"
'Oh, Godfrey is my elder brother, and
he never f1atters," answered the little
lady with great deal of dignity.
The queen smiled.
ST do not think one could compliment
you too highly, little maid. You must
have washed your face in May dew and
bronzed your curls in the sunlight"
'.Oh no; I have never been out in the
May dew" answered the girl ingenious
ly. "Does it indeed make ones face so
fair?"
81 do not know, they say SO; but you
need no such cosmetic. Oh, child, youth
is SO beautiful, envy you your happi-
ness"
Then turning to the king who had
walked up to her side, she murmured,
with a wistful look in her dark eyes: "Oh,
Henry, all my youth comes back to me
as I listened to this prattling child =
those delicious days among the vine
leaves and date gardens OF Granada
the splash of fountains in the courts OF
the Alhambra, the tinkle OF fairy lutes
and cymbals in those old chambers of the
dead, the breath of orange howers-oh,
they all return to me-"
"Sweet bonibel," said Henry softly, 81
had thought our England SO pleasant
that thou couldst be happy here"
"Oh, tits not that, sire; but we should
never forget our childhood, and | had
a happy home. Dear child" continued
the queen, turning to the girl, "thy queen
wishes thee Joy, and that tho1 mayest
..o-.o- Ro.ook l,ar x1ilt kbnu vaar thia for