The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-22

men have done, then no one would prepare for this festival more enthusi- asticslly than myself. But this king ! He may wish to do good. He may be free from the vices of his forerunners. What is he as yet but mere name to us?"
 She twice adjusted the wreath oi crimson roses to her fair head, and twice removed it\
 "And no one is bo&d enough to tell them the truth. King live and die without hearing the truth. Could l speak to this one as I did to his mes- senger yesterday, open my heart to him, speak out as one rational, think ing being is bound to speak out to another, then his visit might not be made in vain."
 It must not be supposed that Er- mengarde was young lady imbued with revolutionary doctrines, or that she was wanting in accurate notions of history. She did not wish to see her island handed over to conspirators against the existing order of things; :; much less was she of opinion that to do away with royalty would bring about social millennium. But, young as she was, she had witnessed the hor- TOTS of civil war; she realized the havoc made in family life by military conscription she knew that this long, suffering race of islanders were bowed down by the weight of taxation; and could the most ardent royalist, the most impartial student ot history, aver that dynas6c ambition and in- trigue had nothing to do with such aff1ictions?
 This little northern kingdom was far from being ideally governed. Even now royal yea and nay were far too puissant. However, the king was con- ing; he must be welcomed. So at last, and with some reluctance, Er- mengarde put on her white dress and wreath of crimson roses. A smile rose to her lips as she thought of that genial, impetuous stranger his man. ner, she hardly knew why, had pleased her greatly. He was so frank, so gen. erous and manly, and evidently, like herself, had seen something of men and manners on the great continent. That promised dance with him would be relief to the stiff ceremony of the evening.
 "Ermengarde, Ermengarde
 A dozen girlish voices now called her name, for it was time to go. No prettier sight could be imagined than those blonde maidens as they trooped along in their white muslin dresses silk and satin were unknown on the island, and jewels almost equally SO. Few wore other ornamaments but roses ill their hair and on their bosoms. The leader was as simply dressed as any; her pre-eminence-and it was marked enough-consisted in that in- born grace, that stately yet spirited beauty that would have marked her out among a far more brilliant fel- lowship.
 The girls had not taken their place on the terrace minute too soon. Hardly were they drawn up in proper order when the distant huzzas of the crowd outside the palace gates, the firing of a salute in the harbor, the chatter of hoofs and the praying of trumpets announced the royal caval- cade. There was general litter and trembling among the girls; they craned their necks in order to catch a first glimpse; they waved their hand kerchiets; they grew crimson and breathless with excitement. Only Ermengarde retained self possession. She had her bouquet and little speech in readiness; her curiosity to behold the face of king was not inordinate, and, it must be added, she could not help wondering all the time ii her ac- quaintance of yesterday was really there.
 The event so eagerly longed for was come and gone in a moment. A group of horsemen wearing brilliant uni forms, dashed up; one, little in ad- vance of the others, with broad rib bon across his breast, was the first to Gismount, receiving homage from all sides. Ermengarde's flowers and words of welcome were graciously acknowledged, few courtesies ex- changed, final huzza raised by the crowd, then the glittering uniforms, the stars and decora ions disappeared within the palace walls.
 "What noble presence '" cried one girl.
 "What an engaging smile !'' said 8 second.
 "How handsome exclaimed a third.
 Only the disconcerted Ermengarde had no word at command. In the person of the king she had recognized her new friend of yesterday. CHAPTER Iu.-THE DANCE. A fairy like scene was the open-air dance. Splendor could not be con- iured up on this island No wand could fransforu fha AouaHxr Et4io