The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-02-05

Inc prince, and went of to his nightin-
gale. Next day the princess arrived,
driving in q glass coach. The queen
stood, with her son and all the court,
on the castle steps, and the prince lift
ed his beautiful bride from the car
riage. Her long silken train rustled
behind her like the sound Of o forest
brook. Up stairs, in the kings hall.
was laid a splendid feast, drums and
trumpets were sounded. and the prince
sat beside his bride and reJoiced in her
beauty and her wit.
That evening when he went to his
apartment he was quite shocked, be-
cause for the first time he had forgot
ten to care for his nightingale, and the
poor bird sat dumb and sat upon its
perch with its wings Imply dropping.
But when the prince had laid himself
down upon his couch she sang to him
more beautifully than ever before, and
the prince fell asleep to dream of his
bride. Once he awoke; it seemed to
him that a burning drop had fallen up
on his brow, but sleep quickly overcame
him again, and he went on dreaming.
Next day when the court had assem-,
bled for more feasting the princess 8
to the prince: They say you cheris. a
precious nightingale. Will you not
even let me once hear its voice!"
And the prince ordered a servant to
bring the BIRDS cage to him. But the
nightingale sat dumb ON her perch and
hid her head under her wing. Only
when her master opened the little door
did she fly to him, and perched upon
his hand she lifted up her voice.
The lords and ladies all held their
breath as they listened. They had new
er heard such a song before.
They heard the spring zephyrs stir
among the tree tops, the gurgling of the
brooks, and through it all the passion
ately sad song of a lover. Poor nightin-
gale!
The young princess went close to her
betrothed and laying her hand upon his
arm said: Beloved, give me the night,
ingale. 1t is the first boon l have ever
asked of you"
hA AN AoOACNs AonO z
he said; ''she is yours
Then the nightingale beat her wings
and -aised her voice again. Her song
sounded like the lamentation of a suf.
ering heart. Suddenly she ceased and
auttered Imply from the princes hand
to the ground.
"Her heart is broken, said some one,
and the courtiers gathered around. But
q dreadful feeling of fear came owe,
them all. for there on the floor, instead
Of a bird, lay the body Of a beautiful
maiden. whose pale lips were stained
with blood.
The guests scattered like q flock Of
doves at sight Of Q hawk. The bride
called her servants to her and rode q,
once away. But the old queen In q
blaze OF fury ordered that the body Of
the enchantress who had bewitched
her o with her satanic arts should b
given to the flames.
The unfortunate girls body was
burned by the executioner, but from the
ashes there grew an elder tree will
fragrant many cupped bloss ms. By
that the people knew that t > nader
had been no witch and that her 500
had gone to happiness.
But from that moment all Joy haG
vanished forever from the prince
heart. From early morn to dusk he ga
beneath the elder tree and unused sadly
One evening they found him lying be
meath it quite dead, and in three days
time the tree had also withered .-Fron
the German.