Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-05-27
BALTA (THE LAKE).

They fioated white and shimmering
ON the smooth surface Of the lake.
whose waters were unrippled by sin
gle breeze.
Even the solitary dragon fly, which
had flown across little while ago, had
disappeared, and the frog would not be-
gin its croaking till eventide. Thus moth.
ing but rest, still and dreamy, lay on
the surface Of the tranquil water
Many secret lay hidden in the deep
est depths Of the beautiful lake and all
sorts Of fanoiful stories were recounted
of Its fathomless mysteries.
There grew the beautiful Water Lilly,
with her delicate lineaments, and her
fragile, spreading roots seemed to be al
ways searching in vain for frmer
hold, and whose winsome society was
eagerly sought for by all her neighbors
The tall flags lowered around her and
were continually Whispering and max
ing salutations to her.
Often had she petulantly closed her
beautiful leaves, whereupon they would
promise to leave her in tranquility, but
when she again unfolded her petals or
made even the smallest movement it
was a pretext for renewed Whispers
All these foolish adorors had never
yet asked Of the Water Lis why she
passed all her time gazing upward 10.
ward the sky, although they might well
have observed that the Lady Moon
shone there in all her splendor. Whom
the foolish ones slept the Moons rays
grew brighter and brighter, Rlinted full
across the lake and en- braoed the flower
which was transformed by love into a
Will-o' -the-wisp, which danced and
fiirted constantly with its beloved.
The Tulip was the first to DO aroused
by this viii o. the wisp. for az no had
and slumbered lightly. He drew him
self up with great austerity. for he saw
that the Water Lily WINS a person of
doubtful reputation, who allowed her.
self TO be embraced in most unbecom-
ing manner by the Moon, danced about
like a siren, threw aside all modesty
and provoked and leased her neiRhbors.
who nevertheless reyered her and look.
cd upon her as quite saint
So the Tulip lost no time In relating
his discovery to his nearest neiRhbors
In the flower world.
The ForRetmenot opened its blue
eyes no wide. 30 wide In their limo.
cence, that they actually remained lar
yer than when they first saw the light.
The Lily of the Valley. who tenderly
loved the Water Lily. went bitter tears
whereupon tho Tuiip Rrew bright red
with anger and continued to repeat bis
story to the surrounding plants, who
drew together In Rrouus and ohattered
and recounted IL 20 the South Wind,
who WAS lust then passipg over them.
Tho Wind repeated IL TO tho Flags. 10
the Water, to the Clouds, who frowned
In anger and Immediately covered the
Neon with veil.
Tie tail bluo CONTAIN, perched like a
cavalier on the slope Of tho mountain,
had heard tell Of the beautiful Water
Lily. He imagined that there lay at tho
bottom Of his heart q spirit Of fire equal
to that of the Will-o' the-wisp.
He had for some time been enamored
of the Edelweiss and would gladly have
fondltd her volvoty leaves. He was all
the more in love because the two cas-
ties, under tho walls Of which they
dwelt. were separated by deep chaam.
For all time cavaliers have given proof |
Of their easy conacienoes and have do |
manded moral perfection from their |
own wives only. The cavalier brandish.
cd his lance In the sight Of the Edel-
weiss. to malse believe no was going
a-fghting, and the Alpine Roses ad-
mired him az he passed and blushed
and regretted that the cavalier Gentian
had set out In search Of adventure In
stead Of confronting himself with their
charms.
But the Edelweiss was Of too proud
and ancient lineage to show the least
regret at his departure and remained
frigid and cool In her velvet robe near
the terrace Of her castle and barely bow
cd her head AZ the cavalier oouched his
lance on passing before her.
Inc oyerhaad ncrceivad ,hat ,his ,nd;t.
Tersnce was bnt assumed and snoLo IN
the Edelweisa Of tho water in the valley
below and 81 the beautiful white LdIy
which reioned over Il. He told ber how
tho cavalier Gentian had fonoht with
and been vanopisbed Inv Prince Mar.
cissus whose nerfumed darts had caused
him 60 fall senseless to the earth The
Edelweiss did not allow her emotion 10
apnear lint sbe felt a cold sbivey RIM
tbronobout her frail bodv and would
willingly have listened 10 further de.
tails bnt the falcon had already flown
aUay and nor dionitv ala moi normit
~s'