The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-03-30


CHAPrER u.
This little island OF the northern sea had
beea so Ear N used Of iOrsane; hitherto ii
could bo4s, Of no royal visit. King after King
Of tbe dynasty that sways these realms was
eroured aud barred; rumors Of grand dOlngs
reached the fisher folks from time to timc;
brilliant eoaH ceremonials, christeainEs,
bridals, barials. A moFe stay al home folk
,hAn these islanders, except, perhaps, their
aeighbors, the Lapps, hardly existed. They
heard Of paScAnts without behOlding any.
Very rarely. and ouly on matters of urgent
business. they crossed the sea that divided
them from the continent.
Now, AZ las, they were to have a pageant Of
their own; not, perhaps, TO be compared TO
celebrations in the capital, bat great affair
for al hat. The King was coming
Capital the island could not be said TO pos
sess, nor was the 50 called royal palace much
more than a hunting palace or summer pa
vilion There was, therefore, no possibility
Of carving out anything TO Ia called pro-
gramme indoors, and as the weather was
magnificent, alike the banquet and ball were
10 take place in the Open air This arrange
ment admirably suited the general taste and
convenience, for while the hI,le palace could
hardly have held hundred and City guests,
the entire population Of the island would find
more than breathing room in the park outside.
fine stretch Of sward was inclosed for the
dancers, and 4 tent erected for the royal
banquet Beyond these precincts all could
disport themselves as they pleased. Rows OF
booths. such as we see at fairs, were to he
supplied with refreshments, served 10 all at
the royal expense, Truth Ia tell, this visit
was k;nd Of apology on the part OF a newly
crowned King for a series Of ancestral ne
elects. The times, 100, were critical. ltwas
not a moment when rulers, whether Of small
states or large, could afford to have sulky
subjects.
: There we're many reasons why Ermengarde,
/ the head forester's daughter, should take q
/ leading part in the days proceedings. She
was the bes, educated girl Of the island, to
begin with. She had seen something of life
aud manners in the great world beyond the
sea. She would know exactly whatto do and
say when leading her rose garlanded maidens
to welcome the King. A procession of girls
dressed in white and bearing flowers was ,o
await the royal visitor on the landing place
and it was Ermengarde's duty TO offer q
bouquet and make little speech.
What mockery, what mere child's play
it all isr she said, as she glanced at her white
dress and wreath before putting them on
s'If some hero were to be welcomed to-day
one who had risked his life for his country, Of
even saved the lives of half a dozen of hi
fellows, as many of our poor fishermen have
done. then no one would prepare for th'
festival more enthusiastically than myself
But this King He may wish to do good
He NAV be free from the vices of his fore
runners. What is he as yet but mere nam
to us.
She twice adjusted the wreath of crimson
roses to her fair head, and twice removed 1t
"And no one is bold enough to tell then
the truth. Kings live and die without hearin
the truth. Could speak to this one as l di
to his messenger yesterday, open my heart
him, speak out as one rational, thinking bein
is bound to speak out to another, then HI
visit might not be made in vain.
This little northern kingdom was far fror
, being ideally governed. Even now roy'
yea and nay were far too puissant. However
; the King was coming; he must be welcomed
: So at last, and with some reluctance, Ermer
parde put on her white dress and wreath {
crimson roses. A smile rose to her lips {
. she thought of that genial, impetuous strange
s his manner, she hardly knew why, had please