The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-10-27
AMOOnlight
STORY OF THE CYcLAMEN
BLOSSOMS

kind fateS have ever taken you
Inere and you have once made the tour
of the lakes, you will certainly remem-
Der the green, silent corner, back against
the mountain where the village sleeps,
continually lulled by the pine trees.
Directly below the lake spreads its
blue waters, smiling in golden ripples'
and f1ecked here and there with white,
triangular sails. The intense light, FL
tered by the fleecy clouds, Eliminates
brightly the circle of mountains which
surrounds the water.
The many shades of green, the SOM
Der blue, the vivid violet and the silvery
grays of the mountains mingle in
wondrous harmonies with the turquoise
of the lake and the brilliant green of the
vines. 1t is there that one should go
to- taste the joy of requited love, and
still more truly it is the place where a
bitter sorrow may find surcease in
peace.
Not long ago. on the mountain road,
met three tourists descending, with
their alpenstocks and knapsacks and
their hats decorated with punches OF
cyclamen blossoms. l watched them
pass with wistful glance, while memo
ries of the distant days when /, too, was
20. filled my brain.
l saw myself gayly descending the
same road. my hat decked with flowers,
accompanied by two merry companions.
and even as the crests of the mountains
were reflected in the water, so the re-
membranes of former times rose before
me, clear and sharp as a mirage. with
all the colors, the perfumes and the en-
thusiasms of youth.
1t happened 25 years ago in this very
village, where we had planned to spend
the night after a long days climb.
Scarcely had we turned down the beau
tiful avenue of chestnut trees when we
saw, walking slowly toward us. in the
soft shade of the trees, beautiful young
girl, radiant in all the glory and splen-
dor of her IS years.
Tall, admirably formed, her thick
golden curls fell in clouds about her
wonderful shoulders, and as she turned
at the sound of our voices, we caught
sight of a finely cut patrician profile,
with proud, red lips and haughtily in
curing dark eyes.
We fell in love with her at once, all
three of us, and, forgetful of the fatigues
of the day, We followed her discreetly
along winding path until she disap-
peared beneath a gateway of dropping
honeysuckle. Upon our return to the
inn we learned that the stranger who
had so excited our admiration was
Princess v, Russian, who lived
with her parents in one of the villas that
bordered on the lake.
Russian, princess and pretty-that
was enough surely to set our magma
lions working, and all through dinner
we made impossible plans to waylay our
new divinity and accost her. My two
companions, however, were too sleepy
TO do anything but go to bed that night
l mad no desire to follow their exam
pie. Instead, strolled saunteringly
down the road, looking inquiringly be-
hind every tree as went.
1t was an exquisite evening. The full
moon had risen behind the mountains
and pierced their somber depths with
arrows OF silver light. Everywhere.
through the sleeping country. the
crlckets were chirping, with here and
tnere the note of low-f1ying swallow.
AT my feet the lake, with its path
way OF molten ripples, murmured ca
resslngly to the tiny beach. 1 threw
myself down on the soft grass and be-
San to invent romantic incidents which
should bring about my meeting with
the Russian princess.
AS built my elaborate castles in
Spain l heard the metallic click of a
boat chain beneath the willows at nv
side, and presently, not five steps
away, white form emerged from the
snaoow into the moonlight 1t was
the beautiful Russian.
She was trying to unfasten the boat.
task for which her slender finger,
were in no wise fitted. Finally she
Strengthened up with an angry sigh
and kicked the heavy chain petulantly.
'Oh, dear, what a nuisance," she
sighed. .---....-.
My opportunity had come.
ALLOW me-" l cried, starting for
ward suddenly, and. kneeling, I freed
the boat, although not without consid-
cradle injury to my knuckles and fin
gers.
Sne jumped into the boat and then
looked at me inquiringly.
had just spent week in TIE
mountains tramping in all weathers.
sleeping wherever 1 happened to be.
and my clothes showed the strain to
which they had been put. My beard
was long and neglected, my hat in tat
tiers and my coat badly torn. It was
evident that she took me for a boat
man.
Thanks" she said carelessly, "can
you Tow me as far as Duingt?"
With the greatest pleasure" I re-
piled, forgetful of everything except
the golden opportunity for which I had
been signing.
jumped after her into the boat and
striking far out from shore, began to
row, while she sat facing me with the
ruddel-strings in her hand. The moon
light shone full on her lovely face, al
once naughty and mischievous, framed
in its wealth of glittering curls. From