Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-03-25

Qeel, 6Qe ran DeuluQ tuo uOuasttIy W
drink from the clear spring which
tric.led down the mountain.
Incl would listen to no one, but
with pale cheeks and rigid features,
turned his footsteps towards the Peak
of Longing. He saw Irena i'll the dis
tance, and silently waved his hand to
her.
"Do not &C." cried she, "do not CO."
And the brawling river Pelesch muir
INJURED, "Do not go, do. not gol'' But
lionel turned deaf ear to all entrea-
ties, and continued his way under the
scorching sun up the slippery heights,
past great pine-trees so large and old
that ten men with outstretched arms
could barely encompass them, on
through the shady beech-wood up to
his hut, around which his flock had
collected, and from whence his dogs
rushed to welcome him, jumping and
barking with loy. He stroked their
silky fieeces, and called to Dlioritza,
Young eve, "Brr, brr, oitza," and she
ran towards him. followed by her lamb
klns, and stood while he decked her
fossy coat with the white pInks he had
stolen from Irena's posy. Shortly
after this he begged the other shep-
herds to take char Of his flock, saying
that he would rejoIn them later, and
alter he had accomplished vow to
which els word was sworn.
And if l return not, said he, 'ever
again here, you can say that the 'D3r'
has invited me to his wedding feast.
Then he took up his fife and climbed
the loftiest peak Of the mountain, from
whence his practiced eye could discern
the Balkan range far beyond the blue
waters OF the lordly danube. While
he stood there making the echoes re-
sound with plaintive air from his lfe,
his faithful dog came bounding back
towards him, barking with Joy, wagging
his tail, and trying to draw his master
back to the valley. 1ouel, with tears
In his eyes, drove the dog away, men
ac1ng him and even peltlng hum with
stones. He had thus separated him
self from his last friend, and stood
alone in the savage solitude ofthe mount
ain. The only living creatures within
sight were two eagles, which came and
swooped around him. lionel lay down
on the short, sweet smelling grass. He
sighed so deeply that his chest seemed
ready to burst with anguish. Soon he
fell asleep, heavy with melancholy and
f-ti9ue.
On awaking, he found himself sur-
rounded by thick clouds which encom-
passed him closer and closer, wrapp ng
HIM in dense mist, so that he coul
not see q step before him. Suddenly
these clouds seemed to take human
forms, and holding each other BY the
hand, angelic women, clad in raiment
white and glistening as driven snow,
( f'oated around him.
| lionel rubbed his eyes, believing that
! be was still dreaming, when he heard
I the soft harmony of their CIrce-lkt
song, which sounded to him as ID the
/ far distance.
These tairy-like women stretched ou
| their white arms towards him, inviting
him, and calling to him from every
side, beautiful youth, l beseech thee
be mine, be minel Come thou hence
with me-" But to all their enticine
overtures, he rephed with gesture o.
dissent.
Better for thee that thou resist III
not" cried one; "for we will teach thes
such perfect Joy that thou wilt soon for
get thy valley and it's denizens."
With her delicate hand sne pushed
aside the cloud curtain and revealed I
fiowery glade, the like of which he hac
never be ore seen, while in the centre
of this glade stood a shepherds hut
formed only from rose leaves, while b.
its side there ran crystal stream EN-
banked with fragrant moss. "Com'
thou to us, this Is our abode, cried tn
fairy IN a clear silvery voice.
mol" interp osed another. "Com
thou rather TO mel" and sudden.
before his eyes she transformed til
clouds into a dwelling so bright ant
beautiful, that IL glistened In the sun
rays ike unto Isinbow.
Its Interior was soft and feecy a
finest wool, the floor and walls were o
fresh green turf, 1ntermingled will
bright-hued flowers, while from it's roo
dropped gently a liquid rain bow, fertu
izing the surrounding earth and caus
ing it to bring forth mYrlais OF loyel.
blossoms.
Here will we dwell, said the secon
fairy, land l will deck thee out an
adorn thee like myself" So sayln
she began to affi1 chains OF sparkh
drops to his head and neck, but h
shook them of with angry impatience
There is only one maiden who ca
beautify me, said he, in gIoomy tone
"and she is my betrothed."
"Well, will be thy bride instead O
her," cried third fairy; 'behold N
dowry"
Grasping the clouds she change
them into a flock of sheep SO numerou
that the mountain peaks rising up o tn
sky seemed covered with them. Thel
fieeoes were of dazzling whiteness
round their necks were gold and silve
bells.
The features of the poor abandone
shepherd lighted up for moment vat
sudden Joy, but he speedily pushe
aside the seductive vision, saying, "
wish only one flock and that was N
own"
Then the clouds grew more dark an
dense, and very soon lionel found him
self snveloped in thick blackuess, froI
which darted forked lightning, Will
angry thunder pealed forth. Abov
the noise of the tempest came strong
clear voice, which thus pronounced til
. shepherds doom:
"Most audacious child of earth, VIII
darest even to presume to hold us /
distain, thou shalt most assuredly PEI
ish." The thunder still rolled fortl
1t seemed as if the gigantic mountai
were about to be rent asunder, and
be crumbled into the valley beneath
The snowfiakes now began to fall, q
firat lightly, but afterwards 30 thlckl
, that the mountains were buried frol
sight, and Ionel's hair, eye brows an
heavy cloak were white all over.
Then from the edge of the storr
melodious voices arose in soft sSee
strains, accompanied by flutes an
other musical instruments, and gradU
ally there emerged from the gloom
, fairy palace OF snow, constructed by II
visible hands, and from around th
palace issued star-like beings playin
!, and laughing as children do. Othe'
arrived in great state, their tran
sweeping over the crest of the noun
ain The palace gsts swung back
their own accord or lne approach