The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-05-06
ENDY MON.
DY LOUIS SPENCER DANIEL.

Dame O'be was an old witch. OF gypsy,
living on the outskirts of Rome. Save
for the companionship Of one, she lived
alone in a dismal cave, loved by few,
feared by many, for her dreaded magic
charms.
This one, her companion, was the fair
est Of her sex, fairer by far than all the
Roman maidens. Many stories were told
IN and about Rome regarding her parent.
age, but none knew the truth save old
Dame Obe, and the secret was all she
lived to keep.
Her name was Cleonice, and dark was
her hair, dark as midnight her eyes;
teeth, mouth, figure, more beautiful than
ever Roman yet beheld. AS blithe as a
fairy, with head full of all that was
pure, with merry song she tripped the
meadows through to where. in boat
that idly floated meath rocks and willows,
the young shepherd boy, Endymion, lay
asleep.
1t was in small valley, at the bottom
Of which lake shone like silver in the
light OF the setting sun. All around it
beautiful willows covered the sloping
banks, and their long branches dropped
over the water.
Gazing intently upon his face. she sat
on moss covered rock somewhat near
his boat, cast her eyes to heaven, drew
her fingers across the Tyre and put her
brimming soul into music-music which
could come from the gods alone.
Her song intermingled with Endy.
mion's slumber and caused him to dream,
and in the dream he spoke aloud in SOL
emn VOW his love for Cleonice.
Happier, tenfol happier, she sprang
from the rock, leaned over the boat and
kissed his brow, then took her way to.
ward Dame Obe's cave. But ere she
reached the brow OF the hill, skipping,
singing in her joy, she saw the emperor
and his son riding fast toward her. AS
light as fairy she sped before their
horses, and calling aloud to Dame Obe
as she neared the cave, fell upon the
moss covered floos.
When the emperor rode up, out spoke
Dame O'be, full and bold.
"Methinks the emperor and his fair son
might find better sport than frightening
the poor old woman's child!'
Lying vagabond She is no child of
Of yours. But you have taught her your
tricks and she has bewitched my son"
The emperor was very angry; Dame
O'be's face grew thoughtful and wicked,
while close to her skirts clung Cleonice.
"Ha! ha! ha! So 'tis his heart! Ha!
hal hal"
witch! Sorceress!" cried the en-.
ragged emperor. "Gve her to my guards,
and if she does not bring the color into my
sons pale cheeks and cheer his sad heart,
will feed her to my lions"
The emperor was beside himself with
rnge but his young son was sick at heart,
and pale of face.
Dame O'be gazed scornfully at the
speaker then said:
"Of, base emperor! So tits you again!
Remember forty buildings past, your
heart waned, your face paled, for love
unborn for thee! Ha! ha! ha! see!
Thou hast not forgotten!"
"Wretth Imposter! Give her to my
soldiers, and swear by the gods"
Enough! Take her, emperor, but re-
member, thou hast sworn by the gods!
Let b>sm come to one hair of her head
and woe to thee"
The soldiers took the reluctant maiden
and bore her away to castle Of marble
by the side of the lake, and there the en-
peror's son swore his love for her on
bended knee.
With downcast eyes and dark eye
lashes-which seemed darker still, lying
on her pale cheek-she told him that she
loved another. Then the emperor and
his son were overcome with wrath
more angry still when Cleonice's cheeks
flushed, and her eyes flashed in scorn for
both.
"Sorceress!" cried the emperor. "To-
morrow at sunrise you wed my son!"
All that night Cleonice slept not, but
lay with her dark head pillowed on her
snow-white arms and sobbed for Endy-
mion. "Oh, Endymionl Endy mion!"
But though the night breeze caught up
her moaning, Endymion heard her not
On lie fed his sheen in the valley below,