The Portland daily press., 1895-06-03

L love thee also," said the lnnocent
maid, for she was not aware that IN the
society OF mortals one must not so read
lily reveal ones secret thoughts, but
do not say that my hair is golden, for
gold is SO uglyv'
Gold uglyP replied the prince,
laughing. "Well, never heard that be-
fore. Are you SO accustomed to its sight
that you really consider it ugly?"
"Ah, that is quite truel I see nothing
but gold, gold, instead of green trees,
mountains, mortals-only gold and al
ways gold"
She stretched out her arms, and turn
ing round exclaimed:
"Oh, how much I should like to ride
on your beautiful beastl It is the first
horse that I have ever seen. May I
touch it?''
"Why should you not? You may
caress it also and then mount with me,
and will gallop about as long as you
please.
So, bidding her place her foot upon
his boot and taking both her pretty
hands within his own, he drew her
quickly up to the saddle bow, passed his
arm around her slender waist, spurred
his fiery steed, and they started off at
gentle canter. He thought she might
perhaps be afraid, but the mountain
child, unconscious Of danger, felt no
fear.
| AS soon as the way grew less perilous
the prince gave rein to his horse, and
they galloped along beneath shady trees
and across dowery meadows for many
miles.
Alba screamed with delight, clapped
her hands and cried out:
''Faster, still faster, pleasel''
Going at this headlong speed soon
brought them to the vicinity Of the city,
which had to be traversed before reach
ing the royal palace, and which was
situated at the other extremity on the
summit of hill. On seeing these streets
and houses Alba became uneasy and ask
| ed:
care those men which I see there?
Does not the wind blow down those
| small houses?''
"No, DEAR" replied Prince Porfia
''The wind with us blows not with such
violence as it does on thy mountain
home" Then he called out:
''See. my people, bring you your
future queen, marvellous flower which
I have plucked from the side of rock. .
.'But I am, notAa queen, " cried out
Alba, alarmed.
''As / am the kings son, and as thou
art my promised bride, thou wilt be my
queen, y answered the prince.
What sayst thou? Thy bridel But
my mother has always said that should
never be permitted to marry"
''Shesaid that knowing that none 9TH
er than was destined to possess thee -
''But art thou not wicked man,
then?''
sNo, dear, I am not so very wicked. .
t'But my mother told me that all
men were dreadfully wicked, and that
I must on no account have any inter-
course with them. +"
Who, then, is thy mother?'' I'd.
i know not who she is. only know
that she spins golden thread continu-
ally. W
"She spins thread of goldl For what
purpose, then?''
s'For brides to wear on their wedding
day, but will have no gold thread at
my marriage, added Alba and quickly
raised her hand to her head as if to
ward off the pernicious contact.
"Thou must wear the beteela when
we are married, "2replied the prince;
otherwise the whole country would be
scandalized. Come, dear, this is my
home, so let US enter, and will present
thee to the queen, my mother, to whom
Ibeg Of thee to conport thyself gently"
''Is she old and ugly, then?"
"No, she is beautiful, and as proud
as she is beautiful"
Proud! What is the meaning of that?"
asked Alba. Porfia looked with aston
ishment into her innocent eyes, They
were as clear and pure as the sunlight
He cla:ped the maiden to his breast, and
throwing the bride to a lackey alight-
ed from his steed and lifted down her
slender form with great tenderness and
gave her his hand to lead her up the
steps to the palace. Soon they entered
spacious hall, where was seated tall,
majestic lady, surrounded by bevy of
fresh young girls, who were all Of them
occupied in spinning yellow silk.
At the sight of the handsome pair
upon whom the glorious rays Of the set
ting sun fell in deepest splendor as they
crossed the portal the work was sus-
pended, and the young girls drew near
and gazed in delighted wonder.
sePermit me to salute thee, thou mar
volously beautiful queen," exclaimed
Alba, falling at the queens feet, who
Immediately raised her up and tender
ly embraced her.
II see that thou spinnest also, but
shy work is infinitely finer than that of
my mothers. Thine is fine and delicate
as snow1akes Or the petals Of mountain
dowers''
"Tell me, fair child, what does thy
mother spin?'
"Aiasl nothing but gold, and 1t is SO
hard and SO uclv."