The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-09-22

"And the last-named parsonage will not quit this island without bidding you farewell" he answered. Expect me at the head forester's" house before I go."
 He led her to seat and disappeared amid the crowd of dancers.
 Half-a-dozen artless girls were made proud and happy by the royal invita- tion to dance. Then the signal was given for the banquet. The king and his courtiers disappeared, and all too quickly for the delighted multitude, alike, dance and banquet came to an end.
 CHAPTER Iv.-AT THE HEAD FoREsTER's.
 The head forester's house was one of the handsomest on the island. It stood by the roadside, on the border of the vast forest almost covering the sea- girt kingdom. Though solitary the site was full of charm in the summer time. Golden the light, penetrating the lofty pine trees; unbroken, save for the notes of birds, the silence that brooded everywhere; fragrant with thousand flowers, the breezes stirring the branches. Here and there, bits of pas- ture or cornland intersected the wood, and meadow and field were carpeted with flowers. Bright-hued butter flies fitted in the sunshine. Sad to reflect that this delicious summer was almost as short-lived as theyl From October to April the country lay wrapped in snow; often 30 intense the frost that all communication with the outer world would be cut of for weeks.
 Although Ermengarde had been ed- ucated in brilliant city of the conti- nent, she clung to her island home. These winters had as yet no terrors for her. AcquAintances contrived to meet at each others houses by means of sledge. In her widowed father she had 8 sympathetic companion. Then there were her tastes and duties; she was not only mistress of the head forester's house, but a guardian angel to the poor; and last, but not least, pas- sionate musician and devotee of Schil- Ter and Goethe. The wintry hours pdSScU All COO QulCkly.
 And like all high spirited girls, she could but regard this quiet, unevent- full existence as an interlude, preface to what should be life indeed. She hearkened as yet for the unriddling of the sphinx.
 On the second morning after that forest dance, what was her astonish- ment to see the king ride up? He had promised to come, it is true, but few hours before her father had been sum- moned to meet him in another part of the island. She supposed him to be miles away. She was watering her flowers, not wholly with unconcern, yet not without some futtering of the heart as she recalled the incidents of the last few days, when couple of horsemen stopped at the gate. the fore most threw the reins to the other. and she recognized him at once.
 "Pardon me, Fraulein," he said, affecting an easy tone in the hearing of the attendant, "I parted company with your respected father an hour ago, and he gave me leave to call here and ask for some refreshment. The rest of my party are regaling at the little restau- rant by the shore. Have I your per- mission to enter?"
 Ermengarde turned from red to pale. She saw through the device. He had hit upon this expedient for bidding her farewell.
 She bowed low, and tried to get out word of welcome, but speech stayed on her trembling lips. It was as if she were under spell.
 The little household was busy in the hayfeld. She suddenly remembered that there was no one to wait upon her royal guest but herself. AS she had done two days before, she now be- gan to set before him the best the lar der afforded.
 "Once more pardon me-" he said, sI have not indeed come merely to eat and drink, although a morsel of bread and glass of water will be accepta- ble. But I really came because I had something to say to you"
 He looked at her penetratingly, as ii tain to read her inmost thoughts.
 "Tell me-" he said, "are you happy here? This island, so remote, so cut of from the world, is surely no sphere for you"
 "I have my father," was the proud yet faltering reply, lard many friends, besides home duties"
 ''I have been plotting and making plans on your behalf" he went on with an affectation of gayety; she could see that@he was anxious and i'll at ease And hinfad my viaws +o the head forester just now. He is more ambitious for you than you are for yourself. With his full consent would you quit this island for a timer"