The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-03-13
THE W00ING OF RENEE.
FROM THE FRENCH OF oATUILE MENpEs.

N' soy e'iio htppeIb SpfllctilUcS Wncn
the soul of maiden is untouched by
earthly love.
Renee's brow was broad and white
and her eyes blue as first violets under
the late SHOWS. Her hair curled away
from the long plaits hanging over her
pretty shoulders and kissed her pink
ears and the soft curves of her throat.
Many young rustic envied those saucy
strands, and it was rumored even the
young prince had looked with love on
Renee.
Still nobody knew this for the truth
save one old woman who gathered herbs
IN the forest, and her word would not
have been taken in the village, for sh,
was in league with the devil. She knew
cures for ills, brewed potions from the
wild things growing in the forest, mutt
tered words in an accursed foreign
tongue, and had far too much of wisdom
to be in any way reckoned an honest
woman.
1t happened in this wise. Renee was
in the forest picking up fagots, when
she chanced upon the old mother hunt.
ing her strange herbs. The child was too
gentle to understand evil and too pure
to know fear; so she said with her pretty
smile:
Good evening to you, mother!"
GOOD evening, pretty one!" said the
crone, Strengthening her bent shoulders
10 look in Renee's face.
Then she drew nearer, and putting her
dry and wrinkled lips to the girls ear
Thou art too fair to gather fagots in
the forest all thy life! Down the path
to the right the kings huntsmen ride.
Run that way and perhaps thou shalt
see the prince!"
Renee shook her long yellow plaits
and ran down the path to the right,
singing as she ran. The old mother
looked after her.
"a good child" she muttered "good
and pretty. Now may Gods blessing
go with her!"
The kings huntsmen rode all on black
horses, but snow white charger bore
the prince. The sun shone on his yell
low curls, jewels sparkled at his throat,
and his dark eyes flashed like ssars. He
drew rein and bade the huntsmen ride
on before.
who art thou, little one?"
Renee, answered the child.
well named!" cried the prince. "Yet
had rather call thee Refine. Wilt thou
give me a kiss?"
Nay" said the girl 81 will kiss only
whom love and love only whom l
wed!"
The prince frowned.
Il am thy prince!"
1True, said the little peasant But
am not thy prncess!' And she turned
and ran away, tossing her long yellow
plaits and laughing as she ran.
1Didst see the prince. little Renec?"
asked the crone, appearing suddenly in
the path.
Yes, said Renee, and she told what
had happened.
"Dost thou not fear his anger2"
.Those who have not sin in the heart
fear nothing!"
-Dost thou love another?"
Renee hung her head. 81 have
dreamed of one whom l might love
alas! shall find none on earth so fair as
this lover of my dreams!"
Forget him, child" interrupted tbs
old woman. BE sure the prince will
yet ask your hand in marrage"
"Nay!" cried Renee, laughing. =
shall go to my grave unwed by prince or
peasant.
After this the prince rode every day
through the forest. Once he met the
crone, who courtesied profoundly and
called Gods blessing down on his head.
Good evening, mother!" said the
prince gently.
Had you come earlier, she said, Il
could have shown you our little Renee
the queen of our village-a sweet child
and"
(which way went she?" interrupted
the prince.
straight to her mothers home, your
highness. 1t is good family, which
has never known shame!"
The prince looked sharply into her
face.
The color burned in his cheek.
Then he said impetuously:
"Thou hast spoken well! have seen
thy queen. SO fair is she that / would
make her mine, and when, my good
father dies, queen of all the land. Now
help me to it, mother, for see that thou
art wise far beyond thy humble station!"
"Let her not sleep o nights" said the
ad woman, hobbling away toward the
heart of the forest.
"Let her not sleep o nights.
@What means this gibberish?" ex-
claimed the prince, angrily. Then he
rehected SHOULD there be truth in what
she says?" And turning his horses
head, he galloped through the wood to
the high road, where the kings hunts
men waited to escort him to the palace.
There he sought the king and laid bare
his heart, and vowed he'd throw himself
from the rampart's crest if he be not
given Renee for his wife.
So the king was forced to give his con-
sent.
That night the prince sent 20 sweet
voiced minstrels to the village, and all