The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-08-24
SELECTED STORY.
A True Love Story.

century-the scene Germany. In a
meadow thickly carpeted with flowers,
a bow and girl were strolling hand in
hand. He was about fourteen years
old and his dress betokened him of
high birth. She was about year
Younger and wore the attire of girl
of the middle class Her face was one
of the loveliest ever seen, with her
gentle blue eyes and the bright, fair
hair, which fell in two long plaits down
her back, and the boys eyes rested
upon her with an expression of loving
admiration, which softened down his
usually naughty and defiant cast of
countenance. He had twisted hand
full OF field flowers into wreath, and
placing it upon her head, he sprang
away, laughing, to survey the effect OF
his adornment.
Chow pretty thou art, Anna Lieser
he cried. "There is no other like thee
anywhere in the wide world. When
thou art older thou shoulds't wear a
crown of Jewels instead of one of flow
ers. for thou art born to be little
queen"
The little girl laughed gently and
shook her head.
"An spothecary's daughter cannot
become great lady, much less a
queen" she said, $50 shall have to do
without crown and be content with
my mothers trinkets when grow up"
The boy drew her to him, and, bend
ing his head 30 as to be level with hers,
whispered:
"Thou shalt be a great lady, little
Anna Liese, for l mean, when I'm
man, to mary thee, and then thoul't be
princess of this province and have as
many fine jewels as my lady mother.
Does that please thee?"
sit sounds pretty tale," laughed
the little girl, smiling, "but thou know
est it is nothing but a dream. They
let us play together and be friends be-
cause we are only children; but when
thou art a man we shall have to be
strangers, and thou wilt marry noble
lady who will bring thee more wealth
and lands. That is what princes have
to do l know"
"But Il shall not, Wiesgen," cried
the boy, 81 mean what say and who
even now cares TO cross my will? Thou
and no other shall be my wife and my
princess, 30 now thou knowest thy
fate.".
Still the little girl shook her lovely
blonde head incredulously and at that
moment mans figure appeared at the
further end OF the field.
"See," said Anna Liese, "they come
from the castle to look for thee. We
must say goodby for today.
The boy looked angrily in the direc-
ton of the richly attired servitor. ~
shall not co." he said de6antly. 81
wish to remain where am"
If the prince or thy mother wish to
speak to thee, they will be angry" said
Anna Liese, "and perhaps they will not
let us be playmates any more. Go with
him now" she added persuasively, stok-
ing his arm and trying to smile away
the frown that darkened his face, "and
tomorrow we can come here again. Go
to please mel" :.
"Well, them" said the boy, his lips
relaxing into smile as he looked down
at her, ITO please thee will go. But
remember; tomorrow at the same hour
be thou here, Wiesgen. Auf wieder-
sehen," and he kissed her pretty rosy
lips as he spoke.
Little Anne Liese from the apotheca-
ry's shop and Prince Leopold from the
castle had been playmates from early
childhood. The prince was the only
surviving son of adoring parents, whose
indulgence had helped to foster dispo-
sition already by nature wild and I'M
governable, and there was no one in the
wide world who could persuade or
guide him so we'll as gentle Anna Liese.
Seeing this, and knowing that the lit
tie girl was a good child and we'll
brought up, his mother placed no OBJ
stacle in the way of their meeting to-
gether, and 30 they grew up, as one
may say side by side, loving each other
devotedly.
But as the months and years passed
on and Leopold grew into tall youth.
and Anna Liese into the fairest maid in
all the land, the Princess Henriette be-
gan to see danger in this constant COM
panionship. And her fears proved only
too we'll founded. The affection of the
boy for the little child merged imper-
ceptibly into the passionate love of man
for maid, and Leopold displayed an
open admiration for Anna Liese which
appalled, his mother: He spoke Of mar
riage-marriage with an apothecary's
daughterl He, the reigning prince OF
the province, for his father had been
u0hu sOmc ychrbs Az any CObt, BIO LOlO
herself, stop must be put to this
youthful folly. In those days the
''grand tour" was considered to give
the finishing touch to young gentle.
mans education. The princess decid-
ed that Leopold should travel; he
should 60 to Italy and amid the excite.
ments and splendors of the various
courts to which he could have access
how could he fail to get over this mad
infatuation for girl 30 far beneath
him.
His absence lasted nearly two years
during which his mother hoped and be-
lieved that her specific had been sue
cessful-that Leopold, among the fail
and high-born ladies of other lands
had forgotten his simple German frs
love.
The road to the castle was gayly dec
Grated with floral arches and waving
banners and host of retainers and ser
wants were assembled to welcome bacl
the young prince.