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

VigiliG looked upon him as If spcllboltnd.
ed her on every side. Once only did a
sigh escape her as she crossed her arms
over her snowy breast for moment,
but she let them fall again Immediately
by her side, and turned her patient eyes
toward the sun, which was shining full
upon her. Suddenly, and as if in uni
son, the storm of stones ceased, and her
quondam assailants lnelt at her feet with
bended bow and couched lance, and
swore in voices of thunder eternal and
unfaltering fealty to their princess.
Vigilia in her turn raised her hand to
heaven and said, 81 swear to work, to
fight, to suffer for you and with you to
my life's end" Then turning toward
the king she added in low voice, "Give
me your hand, dear father, for l am
somewhat weary.
The old man placed his arm round her
and covered her with his thick mantle
He was about to lead her toward their
Eome her head resting on his shoulder,
when all at once to her great joy she
heard the cry Of her faithful stag, Graur,
who soon came i'll sight.
''Ah, bear me away from this - she
exclaimed, kissing the warm downy
nostrils of the animal. Then springing
on to his back she quickly disappeared
from sight.
Graur carried her down to the rivers
edge, in which she bathed her bruised
and swollen limbs. She drank deep drafts
of the icy water by which she was en-
Veloped and emerged therefrom gay and
fresh us if she had not endured such ter
rible suffering. From this time forward
her life continued its usual course She
was again the same boisterous, impul.
sive child she had hitherto been, and
she could not be prevailed on to take in
terest i'll state affairs. King Briar be-
came perceptibly more and more feeble,
so that his subjects felt it incumbent on
them to entreat him to select husband
for the Princess Vigilia, so that he
might rejoice in having grandchild be-
fore he left them forever,
"My child" said he, soon after the
above conversation, sit is time that I
sought a husband for thee. Do any of my
subjects please thee?"
"Oh, no, my father replied vi
gilia. II would not marry one of those
men who flung stones at me; l could
not forget that circumstance and should
never be able to love such husband!
My husband must descend from above,
to the height of which none of our peo-
pie have been able to ascend in spite of
all our winged stags!"
Scarcely had she spoken these words
when vast cloud appeared in the heav-
ems, from which strains of celestial
music seemed to proceed. The cloud
lowered itself gradually and slowly and
revealed to view beautiful youth, with
long curling hair, carrying in his arms
harp with golden strings and resplen-
dent with all the colors of a rainbow. He
struck the chords with vigorous hand,
but even when he only breathed upon
them he evoked such sweet strains that
all hearts were touched by the melody,
Vigilia looked upon him as if SPELL
bound He sprang lightly to the earth
after dispensing the cloud by a motion
of his hand, which sent it far away in
the distance. The youth advanced to-
ward the young maiden and offered his
hand, saying:
81 am a son of the air and am called
Visccl. Wilt thou be my spouse? Are
we not of the same race:"
Eyes" answered Vigilia, as if in a
dream. 81 will be thine for all eter-
nifty"
But King Briar frowningly said;
''How dost thou love this being al
ready, my child? Beware of him, for he
will not bring happiness either to thee
or to thy people. He will wander afar
and leave thee solitary and alone, and
thou wilt lose authority over thy SUBJ
iects. Child, this will end badly for all