The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-31

away. I dare not let ye in. I have
all the heart, kind sir, but ! dare not
Nay. let him enter. good mother
said a sweet voice behind her. IF
he is for the king he is a friend"
The old crone left me standing on
the threshold and turned to speak with
someone inside, who. from the tones
of the voice as they came to me
through the doorway, / could tell was
pleading my cause.
well, have it as ye WILL said the
old creature, at last; "but i'll will come
of it; mark my word. lassie. i'll will
come of itr' and she hobbled back to
where ! was standing.
Good gentleman" she said. holding
the door open, there is not much that
l can offer ye, but to such as it Is ye
are welcome"
| thanked her profusely, and begging
to be allowed to tend first to my horse,
led il off in the direction of an out
house. The poor beast was as spent
as it's master and soTely in need OF
rest. | gave it meal and water ana,
leaving it safely tethered, returned
presently to the cottage.
The old woman, as / entered, was
bending over large pot which was
seething on the fire, and from which
proceeded the savory smell l had be-
fore noticed. Beside her, on low
wooden stool, was seated maiden OF
such exceeding beauty that, looking at
her I remembered no longer my hum
ger but only the disorder of my at
fire. She was dressed i'm peasants
costume. but the softness of her skin,
the whiteness of her hands, the grace
of her bearing, all told me it was no
peasant that 1 gazed upon. / made her
a low bow, but ] fear it did me but
little credit, for what with the heat
and turmoil of the day. the dust and
stain Of battle, my weariness and de-
lection, and the surprise at meeting so
fair a creature in such an unlocked
for manner, was but i'll prepared to
do justice to the manners of cOurtier.
She returned my salute with a per-
feet grace that put me to shame, but
/ fancied I saw faint sign Of amuse-
ment in her face--which, indeed, was
not to be wondered at-and so ] took
out pocket-comb and small hand
mirror which I carried with me, and
going toward the candle which burnt
upon n table in the center of the room,
endeavored to remedy to some extent
the defects In my appearance, so that
might present more fitting spectacle
for a lady's eyes to gaze upon.
The maiden watched me with a smile.
II perceive. sir" she said, THAT you
belong to the court?''
The maidenfB thm thm thm thm
could not tell whether this was
said In jest or earnest, but I was 10th
to consider it the former, and so an
swered:
ut Is true, madam, that have the
honor and privilege to attend upon his
majesty. May /, in turn, be pardoned
for saying that I discern you are not
such as 1t would seem you desire to
appear?"
She took what I said I'M good part.
though shaking her finger playfully as
she replied:
NAY. sirrah, I am peasant, as you
perceive"
This did not believe, nor could be
wholly sure that she wished to be be-
lieved.
But come. mother" the maiden con-
tinued. turning to the old crone who
was still STOPPING over the fire, "your
guest is surely famished, and that
stew. trow. Is ready to do you credit"
Thus exhorted, the old woman placed
the savory mess upon the table. accom-
panying the action with many apolo-
giles for the LONELINESS of the fare,
which in truth were unneeded for I ret
to with will and never found kings
banquet more to my taste. Neverthe-
less was grieved to think that I
should have % break my long fast -