Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-30

The storm has passed. See, in the north
east there, Gods bow of promise. and
over our heads the sun shines from a
clear sky. Therefore, think there is
no need of house of sheaves."
The princess became scarlet with
anger. She tossed her head and said
mockingly: "You are indeed wonder
full weather prophet Your wisdom fills
me with admiration. But waitl in the
solitude of dungeon you shall soon un-
learn your prophesyings. Think you l
shall stand here to be drenched by rain
like common peasant girl? am Pa
pave, the kings daughter, and we are the
richest in the land"
Then spoke the timid Cyane: s'Most
gracious princess, though Imprisonment
and death await me, | must speak. One
must not thus trample under foot Gods
blessing. A floor of sheaves, walls and
roof of sheaves were surely never
before heard of. It is sin, grievous
sin, thus to use the ripe grain. The
stalks are brittle, the ears very dry, and
much must be destroyed and trodden
in the earth by the men in building
house"
miserable beggars!" cried Papave,
edo you dare hesitate for few paltry
grains of corn? For what purpose are
your rakes and brooms? Rake together
again the straw and the corn after am
gone, and if that is not enough will
give you a word Of advice. Go to my
fa+l ba Einu nd ,1air
Doubtless he will pay you. We are the
richest in the landi And now, not
word more. To work! at once! com
mand you, I, Papavew
With anxious looks and many shake
of the head, with repressed murmurs
and with silent prayers that God would
forgive the sacrilege, the poor reapers
built the house.
The floor of sheaves, the roof of
sheaves and the walls of sheaves. Many
full ears were trodden under foot. Oh,
if only the poor could have received even
part of what was here so wantonly
wastedl 1t was a shame! this ''sheaf
house" Cyane's blue eyes glistened with
tears. Only Papave remained unmoved.
When the task was finished Papave,
in her scarlet silk, quickly entered. Cy-
ane, in her blue muslin, had nc choice
but to follow.
The floor cracked under their feet,
and still more of the precious kernels of
corn were shattered out on the wet
earth.
"Well done," said Papave proudly.
eve are the richest in the land"
Outside the sun threw its brightest
beams over mountain and valley. Sud
denly frightful flash of lightning dart
ed from the clear heavens and struck the
sheaf house. A terrible peal of thunder
filed the air. Instantly the little house
was in flames. The corn cracked in the
heat. Countless sparks from the dry
stalks sprang into the air. Soon the
whole house was one glowing pillar of
fire. 1t was fearful sight. ~
From the midst of the flames came the
sound of shrieks and of prayers. The
prayers from the lips of the gentle Cy-
ane; the shrieks-ah, these certainly
came from the naughty Papave. But to
such fearful punishment might pride
well succumb.
The good reapers were not harmed by
so much as the singeing of hair. In
awestruck silence and almost paralyzed
with fear they stood around the burning
house. To extinguish the flames was
out of the question. Far or near no
water could be obtained. To rescue the
two unfortunate victims was equally i'm
possible, for the whole structure was one
mass of flame.
So the reapers stood motionless, with
toll hardened hands fast clasped, before
this column of fire. Gradually the flames
subsided, burning lower and lower, dy-
ing away in dull red glow, until at last
little heap of ashes was all that re-
manned of the house of sheaves, the Prin-
cess Papave and the maid Cyane.
Deeply impressed the men returned to
their work. Only the aged reaper, who
had had the courage to warn Papave, be-
took himself to the palace, there to re-
late to the king and queen the terrible
fate of the princess and her companion.
The broken hearted parents realized
too late that their own teaching had en-
couraged and fostered the pride and self
will which had led their daughter to her
death.
The following summer, when the corn
stood golden in the field, from out the
heap of ashes left lying on the ground
sprung beautiful blue flower, the corn
flower, most modest of all field bios
SONS, fitting type Of the gentle, inno-
cent Cyane. And near by bloomed the
klatchrose, field poppy, a true repre-
sentative of the kings daughter, Papave,
in her red silk gown. Yes, even the
raven black hair and the crown of the
princess one may see perpetuated in the
flower, while the buds are infolded in a
green mantle.
And as the wind scattered the ashes
over all the field soon there grew every
where among the stalks of corn the blue
corn flower and red field poppy, the type
of guilt and innocence, of loving kind
ness and of naughty pride. And SO to
this day may they be seen.-Boston
Herald. Translated from the German
by Jessie Benjamin Hayes.