The Red Cloud chief., 1897-11-05

hangs across tho sunset, brow Thought
full as the Matterhorn's sky before its
stars have risen, heart brave and ten
der.
but | am not a common traveller
answer. boldly.
Light laughter drifts down to me- gay
as the golden notes that swim in "A
sunbeam.
How may my house serve me?'
with a sight of its fair mistress"
II hear a step upon the stair. The
bolt OF the door is drawn. A flood or
light streams out into the night.
"A withered old woman bids me ell
ter. My feet sink in the silken pile OF
eastern rugs. hear a gold hammer
strike nine resonant strokes upon a
bronze shield. Upon a spit before the
fire place two birds are roasting. the
air is redolent Of their juices and the
banquet Of newly dccanted wine. /
have %journeyed from where the Matter
horn climbs its last height, and my
student dress is splashcd and stained
with mud and snow.
Dropping upon q velvet couch |
stretch my hands to the fire.
Say to your gracious chatelaine that
she shall dine with me-"
The old serving turns away,
mumbling.
draw a heavy table into the middle
OF the hall, and set upor 1t platters and
trenchers. The freight flashes mer-
rily on jewcled flagons and crystal ear
afes.
Placing her chair where the lamp
light will strike upon her face and
bring out the gold in her hair. | seat
myself and fancy her figure or the 9TH
or side Of the table.
Two sleepy love-birds twitter OYER
head in a gildcd cage
One stirs. and nutters it's downy
feathers against my hand. Elsie, FL
sic" II murmurs.
Elsie" ! cry. Elsie"
There is a rustling among the cur
tains that hide the stairs. All my veins
run fire at the music of her reply, 81
am here
turn and see a slender figure in vio-
let velvet embroidered with gold.
Above the low fair brow riotous locks
make sunshine in curling tendrils. but
whether the eyes beneath are violet
like the woman's gown or black like
the tips of the satin slippers under it,
or turquoise OIL sapphire. like the
stones that glimmer on my mistress
white hands, who can tell? Not I.
But II | nno meet her eyes. | may
follow the mutinous curve of the short
upper lip and mark the cleft chin white
as an almonds heart, and the rows OF
pearls clasping the full fair throat.
seat her, mt we begin our meal.
There Is no salad she says. AT
a sign the old woman fetches me cress
and oil.
Does II commend itself to you?" ]
ask, when | have served my vis-a-vis.
1T commends you to me-" she re-
peats softly. look into her eyes. But
by now the wine has given me cour.
age.
why are you not In your proper sta.
ton, you who would grace a court?"
cry.
II am tired of courts. All, you thinl
the Princess Elise may not say st
much?"
The Princess Elise. She, who's,
name is upon every tongue, my people;
queen, mine. il
Before ! can speak | hear shouts
snatches Of song. the wliizz of f!yins
arrows.
One strikes the door OF the chalet.
Sire, sire. admit us. In six hour.
we were to seek you. The time is up
Time? All, but the game is still e
be won.
drop upon my knees before IN,
princess.
Elise" l cry, my throne is empty
| love you. Reign with me. Speak t
me in the voice / have loved since frs
it fell on my listening ear. l wait fol
your yes"
Was 1t the echo of the birds note II
his jeweled ring overhead. or did my
love reply? Alexis! My king