Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-26


and wake him. Next to him is nv son
whom you know; wake him also, and le
them both come here"
Lilial obeyed the kings orders and in
few moments the two men stood before
4 Odrick's bed wondering what the meaning
OF that ghostiike woman could be.
"Odrick my son, and Wolmar my faith
tul friend" }" began the dying man, ''this
lady here is Lilial, the fairy, of whom vou
no doubt have heard, she being the lady
who at one time did me and our beloved
country great service when we were wag-
ing war with King Foxtall. Well on that
day promised the fairy that my son, you
Odrick, should marry the daughter of
Iilial, the fairy, out of gratitude for her
service to me. I am about TO die now, and
want you to swear, both of you, that you
will consider my oath to Lilial binding
upon you, and whenever you want to marry
Odrick, LiliaPs daughter must be your
choice. Now swear!"
For a moment Wolmar looked at young
Odrick, while the latter in turn looked first
at Wolmar, then at Lilial and at last at his
father, who, from his couch of death, re-
turned his sons gaze very steadily and
urginglv TO fulfill his wish. Young Odrick
was an obedient son and he was very fond
of his father, who had always been good and
kind to him. The young man was only II
years when this event took place, and mas
much as his affections were not already en-
gagged in any particular direction, he did
not consider his fathers wish very much.
Just now he only looked at his sick sire
and his first impulse was to do anything to
please him.
Il am ready to swear" he replied, "and
30 am 1, said Wolmar.
Then am glad, " was the old Kings re-
joinder.
'Then let US take the proofs of this COM
pact" the fairy stated. "Here are two rings
exactly alike. One is for you, nv prince,
and the other will keep. Once a year 1
will come to see you, and whenever you are
willing to exchange the rings, then shall
understand that you are willing to marry
my daughter. If you do not want to ex-
change, 1 shall understand that you mean
to wait anyther year. Are you satisfed?"
"Yes," replied young Odrick''
"Then listen further to me-" continued
Lilial the fairy. "If you refuse after ten
years to fulfill the condition of your oath
you must die. Are YOU willing to do that?''
Yes" replied Odrick. eff after ten
years still refuse to marry your daughter
am willing to be burned at the stake like
anY other man who refuses to fulfill the
conditions of his OATH
''That is agreed tol" said Lilial. Then
the ring was given to Odrick and LIIial
vanished.
Next morning the old king was dead,
and after he was buried with all the cere-
monies incidental to such an occasion,
young Odrick was placed upon his fathers
throne. The young man was very good
fellow, and his people liked him very much.
He was bad king because he could not be
tyrant and he was all the better for it.
He was OF noble, manly, chivalrous and
honorable nature, who loved every man for
the amount Of manliness about him,
He had now been king in his fathers
place for over five years, and every rear
Lilial, the fairy. came to see him on his
birthday, and asked him whether he was
willing to exchange the ring. Odrick in
variably answered:
"Dear Fairy, let me enjoy my freedom
and youth little longer. 1 have not even
thought of getting married yet Maybe
next year will have changed nv mind"
After Lilial had been for the ninth time
at the court of young 0drick and asked him
to exchange the ring, it happened one day |
that the young king and a small retinue of |
his followers went out hunting There |
were a number OF enormous bears around |
that part Of the country, and the king, who |
was great sportsman, anticipated great
deal of fun. When the party got into the |
forest. Odrick gave orders that everyone
was to 90 and hunt for himself, and that all
were to meet in one particular spot in the
evening Then the party separated.
OdricK soon found himself alone in the
depth of the forest, but he had a good horse
and he longed to get sight OF bear
Suddenly be heard the crushing and
breaking OF the brushwood on his right and
upon looking in that direction he saw big
bear coming toward him. Odriek at once
turned his horse toward the bear and bore
down upon him. He shot, Sut unfortun-
sUely his ann had pot been true one, and
the animal, paddsne by slight wound.
at once juM ped Onlhis hind legs and came
forward. BE took bold Of the hois= around
'1t retk. nnanas e onI1 been deg.