The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-11-01

ed in deep, firm tone: "There is not
one man here, oh, my father! No one
can be thy compeer, but thou in thy
infinite wisdom must long erewlIile
have chosen him whom thou thinkest
most worthy of merit to come after
thee"
"'Thor knowest that the person whom
I designate must submit himself to the
same test So that which 1 myself en-
dured, the scars caused by which are
still left visible on my body. Dost thou
know what a trying ordeal this is, my
child?''
"Assuredly I know, and I only ar
IDENTIFY wish that l were boy, for it
would have no terror for me-
"What if 1 were to look upon thee as
boy?"
The hot blood rushed to the maiden's
cheek and brow as she said, with a
trembling voice:
"I do not deserve SO great an honor,
my father, and l fear I am not wise
enough, but I will gladly consent to
submit to and endure the test, providing
that my father shall with his own hand
strike the first blow. He can then
anoint me as his successor, though he
must still live for long years, and leave
me to enjoy my liberty and freedom as
heretofore. " These words were received
with loud acclamations.
The venerable king stroked her bright
hair tenderly and bowed his assent.
Then Vigilia, smiling and tossing her
golden tresses from her blushing cheeks,
said:
ga moment, my father. 1 am in wo
mans garb. Allow me to make some
change.
The decisive date was fixed, and a
suitable locality was chosen for the trial,
which was to commence by the candi-
date standing whole day through i'll
the suns heat without taking morsel
of food or q drop of liquid of any kind
Whatsoever. Should she evince signs of
weakness or fatigue, Or should she eat
or drink at the close of the trying day
too greedily, then she could not be their
queen. Her task on the second day
would consist in carrying unremittingly
stones from a river in the valley sufn
cient to form an immense pile. Many,
many times would she have to traverse
the way before she could amass the tra-
ditional number exacted, which said
stones would, on the third day, be made
use of to lapidate her with!
If she shrunl1 back, or even finched
during the cruel ordeal, she could never
be their queen.
J,,+y, Of fi,n oldest cr11ioot
of her father to explain these stringent
laws to her, to which she listened with
deferential attention.
Under the scorching sun of long
July day Vigilia stood exposed to it:
burning rays ON the summit CT a high
mountain. Clad in raiment of pure
white wool she had been at her post
since the dawn.
For the first few hours she sang gayly
to herself, but as noon approached she
became silent, for her throat grew parch
ed by the intense heat Not until the
sun had reached it's zenith did she move
limb; then she but changed the posi-
tion of her feet. Suddenly there came to
her ears tho noise Of hoofs, and the flap
ping of wings, and she was soon sur
rounded by her faithful stags, who be-
gan to fan her heated face with their
wings, while her favorito doe. Mititioa
offered her udder full of milk to her
parched lips, so that she might quench
her thirst.
Very loath she commanded these affec-
tionate animals to leave her presence.
Reluctantly they glided away to their
rich fields and fresh pastures.
Long and weary were the hours of
trial to Vigilia, for the sun burned with
such force that it even scorched the tips
of her bright golden hair, but still she
remained immovable.
At sundown large bowl of water
was placed before her. She only touched
her lips with it, and then calling "Mi-
Utica, Mititica," the pet winged doe
bounded forward at her call, her I'D
der distended with milk. Vigilia did
but quench her thirst, and refused any
other food. The King Briar looked on
his daughter with anxious eyes, but she
reassured him with loving smile, and
told him that the first day of her or
deal had passed quite rapidly and with
out fatiguing her much.
At nightfall she went down to the
river and plunged many times into its
icy waters. She then seated herself ON
messy stone, while the moon gradually
rose over the mountain and looked down
on the enchanting beauty of the maiden.
1t shone full upon her and caused the
drops of water which fell from her
streaming tresses to shine like dia-
monds. Had the moon but known how
this beauteous body was to be bruised
and crushed and stoned on the morrow,
she would surely have veiled her face i'll
thick clouds because of her sorrow. At
aybreak, Vigilia, fresh and gay as
usual, mounted her swift stag Graur
and went forth to meet the men who
were ON their way to summon her to the
ordeal of the second day. On seeing
them approach she alighted and dismiss
ing her stag by a caressing gesture of
the hand, seized hold of an enormous
block of rock, carried it down into the
valley and placed it on the bank of the
river. Then walking through the water
she commenced gathering the stones,
which she heaped upon the rock as high
as possible,
"Now help me to lift it on to my
shoulder said she, but none of the
men could move the heavy burden.
Then she bent her 1.-the, agile body
oDd F,,uo tho bpan on tO her left ShOu1-