Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1904-09-23

for feared that her great beauty.
which had already taken away all my
courage, would take all my senses
away, too.
The heralds at that moment blew
their trumpets, and the queen motioned
me to her side. She desired me TO
take part in and to be her compa uion
at tffe great dinner
I'VE went into another large hall
that was quite open Oh one side, over
looking the mighty sea. In the middle
OF 1t there stood table, which was
nearly breaking down under the weight
of rich silver; vases, bowls, goblets and
dishes, all of the most beautiful and
gorgeous designs. Upon one of the
latter-as was the fashion in those
days-was placed the head of an OK
wreathed with laurel. Near each dish
stood cEalices of artistic design for
the golden juice of grapes.
The queen broke off a piece of
white. delicate bread, gave it to me,
and handed some afterward to the
others. Her hand trembled as she
held the gigantic goblet. which was
filled with sparkling, ruby colored
wine, to her lips. She only drank one
draught of it, then she gave it to me.
A sweet surprise came upon me. l
sought the spot which her red mouth
had touched. 1 pressed my hungry
lips to it and drank the whole contents
at one drsught, and l became quite in
toxicated.
Everything 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 us something about your far
away country and its beautiful women.
Hast thou lady love?
No. said l quickly, and our eyes
met.
Then silence fell upon us. l got up
from my place, noble page brought
my harp. and 10! through the strings
some trembling lilies of the valley were
wound lovingly. This brought storm
of joy into my heart l looked up.
The brave cavaliers and young knights
alike were angry with me, but the la
dies smiled and awaited my song. And
so l. the poor, penniless messenger,
began to sing of love to my queen. l
told her everything l felt and all that
| did not dare to utter in words.
Il sang from my inmost heart, and
I felt that l was understood. The
knights became red with envy, the
hands of the ladies dropped to their
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 no 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
a 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 gen.
tlemen went Upstairs one by one to
discuss their berses; the ladies sat
around the hall and began to sing an
old spinning song. full of sadness and
sorrow.
Come said the queen in a low
voice, as she touched my arm.
I'VE went down 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 lirs
coquettishly. l felt like a hero.
bent down my head like the roses
above us. and pressed my fe7erish.
burning lips to the snowy whteness OF
her hand. And she, without a word,
put her arms around my neck. The
moon shone into her eyes, and / saw
great untold happiness in their vel
vety depths. How long we sat upon
the grass bank never knew. Time
went by as quickly as wave of the
open hand.
Suddenly from far off there came
the sound of horn; at first it was low
and waiting, but later on it became
stronger and loud. A SILVER ran
through the delicate frame of my love-
~ lady; she released herself from the
clasp of my arms.
He calls me- she said, sorrowful-
ly, in tone of resignation. Leave me
forever. can never be thine. Thou
earnest too late. Goodbyv
''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 filed
the air; awful, wailing voices were
heard in the distance; a gigantic black
cloud hung over the moon like a drap-
cry of mourning. / blew my horn in
order to signal her that l was neaz
and that she need not be afraid. But
it gave no sound. / threw it away an
grily. and. like child whose dearly
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 the
wet grass and wept in my helpless
fury and sorrow
The whinnying of my horse brought