Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-09-03

sway WV.
"rlle herads at that moment blew
their trlmpets, ana the queen motloned
me to her side. She desired me to
take past in ind to be her companion
ut the great dinner.
"We went into another large hail
that was quite open OH one side, over
looking the mighty sea, In the middle
of ii there, 60 '"o'r' "h''" was
,rnrly breaking down under the weight
of rich silver; vases, bowls, goblets and
dishes, all of the most beautiful aud
gorgeous designs. Upon one Of the
latter-as was the fashion in those
days-was placed tho head of an OK
wreathed with laurel. Near each dish
stood ckalices of artistic design for
the golden juice of grapes.
THE queen broke Off piece of
white, delicate bread, gave it to me.
and handed some Hfterward to the
others. Her hand tremblcd as she
held the gigantic goblet. which was
filled with sparkling, ruby culOred
wine, to her lips. She only drank one
draught Of it, then she gave it to me.
A sweet surprise came upon me.
had touched. l pressed my hungry
lips to it and drank the whole contents
at one draught, and became quite in
toNicated
Everything l saw appeared the col
or Of roses-the sea, the air, the huge
lines Of pillars around me, the smiling
faces of the elderly knights, the sweet.
childish face of my queen. as she bent
her lily crowned head over her plate.
"'Sing us song said she. sudden
ly; relate rs something about your far
away country and its beautiful women.
Hast thou lady love?'
"'No'' said l quickly and and. our eyes
met.
e,.,. 10y atIi upon us. l got up
from my Plate, n noble page brought
my n"r IF, and 10! through the strings
so" ne trembling lilies of the valley We're
wound lovingly. This brought storm
The brave cavaliers and young knights
alike We're angry with me, but the la
dies smiled and awaited my song. And
so |, the poor. penniless messenger
began to sing Of love to my queen. |
told her everything | felt and all that
| did not dare to utter in words.
II sang from my inmost heart. and
felt that was understood. The
knights became red with envy, the
I" nUnus or tue iauies uOppeu 10 tneir
laps. and tears gathered in their eyes;
and saw that my beautiful queen was
pale-pale as the lilies in her hair. Her
large, dreamy eyes became intense
with emotion and her sweet, small lips
trembled.
81 could sing 10 longer. l broke off
with harmonious chord in the middle
of the song.
"The wild swans, which fingered
along the margin of the sea IN long,
white. broken line, answered me with
loud shrek.
"a storm Of applause broke out
around me, gOblets were freely emp
tied, and everybody wanted to shake
hands with me- Down at our feet was
heard the murmur Of the sea; the sky
was nearly white, except for some pink
clouds on the horizon. The noble gem
tlemen went upstairs one by one to
discuss their horses; the ladies sat
around the hall and began to sing an
old spinning song, full Of sadness and
sorrow.
Come said the queen in low
voice, as she touched my arm.
1--WE went DOVE into the garden. The
air was heavy with the smell of fresh
young grass and the fragrance of
roses. We wandered hand in hand up
on the lawns like two timid. dreaming
children. The radiance of the sun
faded slowly away, the moon rose
wrapped in her silver dress, and yet
neither of us spoke. A sweet. warm
breeze came from above. The roses
dropped their purple heads down to
us; first they gave caress to her soft.
warm cheek. then they touched my lips
cOQuettishly. felt like hero.
bent down my head like the roses
above us, and pressed my feVerish.
burning lips to the snowy wilderness of
her hand. And she, without word,
put her arms around my neck. The
moon shone into her eyes, and I saw
great untold happiness in their vel
vety depths How long we sat upon
the grass bank l never knew. Time
went by as quickly as wave of the
open hand.
suddenly from far off there came
the sound of a horn; at first it was low
and waiting, but later on it became
stronger and loud. A shiver ran
through the delicate frame OF my love.
ly lady: she released herself from the
clasp of my arms.
ale calls me- she said, sorrowfnl
ly. in tone of resignation. Leave me
forever. | can never be thine. Thou
earnest too late. Goodby"
'She kissed me once more, stepped
back and vanished into the deepening
shadows of the night.
"A great wind arose; the tall trees
shuddered and bent their proud heads
nearly to the ground. A thunder
storm broke out; internal noises filled
the air; awful. wailing voices were
heard In the distance; a gigantic blacl
cloud hung over the moon like drnp
cry of mourning. blew my horn II
order to signal her that | was near
and that she need not be afraid. BIZ
it gave no sound. threw it away an
grily. and. like Il child whose dearl!
cherished toy had been taken away,
screamed her name in rage and despair
into the dark. merciless night. Then
seeing that everything was in vain,
threw myself headlong down upon tn
wet grass aud wept III my helpless
fury and sorrow.
"The whinnying of my horse brough
me back to my senses. did not won
der ut its being there. but mounted up
on it. began again my search for m.
dear lost lady love. But again | failed