Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-26

quito out Of breath and waving her
lovely arms toward him:
$50 back! Go back! Do not come up
higher Oh the mountain, as you value
your life
"Were death to be the forfeit" said
he, Il should die quite happy after
having been blessed with the vision of
the most beauteous maiden ever seen on
Gods earth y
At length Alba stood before him. A
faint blush tinged her maiden cheek as,
looking at him in wonder with her
| splendid large eyes, she said, cam I,
then, really beautiful?"
'Oh, yes, so maryelously beautiful
and SO altogether enchanting with thy
rich golden hair, that from this very
moment love thee dearly"
81 love thee also, +" said the innocent
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 ugly"
Gold uglyP' replied the prince,
laughing. "Well, never heard that be-
fore. Are you SO accustomed to it's sight
that you really consider it ugly?"
'Ah, that is quite true! ] 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:
ooh, how much l should like to ride
ON your beautiful beast 1t is the first
horse that | have ever seen. May l
touch it:''
why should you not? You may
caress it also and then mount with me,
and we will gallop about as long as you
please. y
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 a
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
| rney galloped along beneath shady trees
and across howery meadows for many
miles.
Alba screamed with delight, clapped
her hands and cried out:
Faster, still faster, pleased"
Going at this headlong speed soon
brought them to the vicinity of the city,
which had to be trayersed before reach
ing the royal palace, and which was
situated at the other extremity on the
summit of a hill. On seeing these streets
and houses Alba became uneasy and ask
ed:
Are those men which / see there:
Does not the wind blow down those
small houses?'
mo, dear" replied Prince Porfa
THE wind with US blows not with such
violence as it does on thy mountain
homo. Then he called out:
See, my people, | bring you your
future queen, a marvellous flower which
/ have plucked from the side of rock y
But | am not queen, cried oGt
Alba, alarmed.
AS l am the kings son, and as thou
art my promised bride, thou wilt be my
queen, answered the prince
"What sayst thou? Thy bride! But
my mother has always said that should
never be permitted to marry.
''She said that knowing that none 9th
er than | was destined to possess thee. =
But art thou not wicked man,
them
NO, dear, | am not so very wicked. -
But my mother told me that ell
men were dreadfully wicked, and that
must on no account have any inter
course with them"
: who. then, is thy mother?''
Il know not who she is. l only know
that she spins golden thread continu
ally.
"She spins thread of gold! For what
purpose, them
For brides to wear on their wedding
day, but will have no gold thread al
} my marriage, y added Alba and quickly
raised her hand to her head is if &c
ward OFF the pernicious contact
} Thou must wear the beteela wher
we are married" replied the prince
otherwise the whole country would be
scandalized. Come, dear, this is my
home so let us enter, and l will present
thee to the queen, my mother. to whom
| beg Of thee to comport myself gently.
Is she old and ugly, them"
mo, she is beautiful, and as proud
as she is beautiful. :"
Proud! What is the meaning of that?'i
asked Alba Porfa looked with aston
ishment into her innocent eyes. They
were as clear and pure as the sunlight.
He clasped the maiden to his breast, and
throwing tho bride to 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 a
spacious hall, where was seated tall,
majestic lady. surrounded by bevy OF
fresh young girls, who were all of them
occupied i'll 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-
4