The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-10-17
Through the silver mist

10 their Joyous lay,
sang the full, deep voice of a man. She
started to her feet, her face turned in
the direction of the voice.
What in all the world, in all the world,
they say
rs half so sweet. so sweet, is half so
sweet as Mayr"
AS the last note died away the singer
came into view. He was tall and
straight as an arrow, and he swung
along with an unstudied grace far diff
ferent from the carefully acquired strut
of the courtiers.
His thick dark hair was tangled and
powdered with the dust Of the road.
An unkempt beard disfigured his face,
but his eyes were clear and bright
The princess surveyed him with sur
prise and ever increasing wrath. Had
the keepers failed in their duty that
such a man had gained entrance to the
palace grounds? How he carried him
self! she thought One might think him
the owner of the grounds, at least, If 1t
were not for his clothes.
AT this moment the man became
aware of her presence. AS she stood
there, her eyes blazing, her figure drawn
to its full height, her attendants would
have trembled as they awaited the
words her highness might speak Not
SO the man. he paused in his rapid
walk and waited for her to speak.
why are you hereY' she demanded.
my lady," the mansreplied. 81 will
tell you. have heard of the beauty Of
the princess, and have come to look
upon her and to see for myself If she
is all that report has said"
BE satisfied" said the princess, rails
ing her hand with a gesture of dis
missal you have seen. Now 60, and
go quickly, for am the princess"
Your exclaimed the man. He step.
ped back a few PAGES. still keeping his
gaze fastened upon her face. II might
have known" And he turned to go.
Stay" said the princess imperious-
ly. Does report say trueT"
Madam" the man replied as be
faced her again, they told me that q
man could not look into your eyes with.
out being dazzled by the light of them
/ see in them the light of anger, OF
scorn, but not the light of your soul
l can look into them, and your eyes
shall fall before mine. When the glad
light of love shall shine in them then
one may indeed be dazzled. Your high.
ness, speak truly"
The princess was looking straight In.
to the glowing eyes Of the man. For q
space they looked at each other, then
the blue eyes Of the princess fell.
The man continued: your highness
they said you were graceful. You are
but let me show you this willow sap.
ling. See the slender curves and the
sweeping grace of the young treel Can
you, with all the aids of art, be as
pleasingly graceful? Madam, they told
me your voice was sweet and gentle
that its tones were like music. They
spoke truly. but 1t is not heart music
To the careful ear Its tones are hard
and without beauty"
The princess proud head dropped as
she stood like a child humbled by re
buke as she listened to the earnest
words Of the wandering singer.
Your highness, your people respect
you and show you reverence. They
honor you, but-do they love your
The voice was gravely questioning
and the princess was compelled by the
quiet force of the man to answer
Without lifting her head she answered
"No."
Madam. throughout this kingdom
and kingdoms far away went fortf
your word-'Find me a man whose
beauty is greater than mine and vii
marry him. Princes from many lands
responded, but to one and all you said
No. WhyT
Again the voice questioned. The
princess lifted her head and looked In
to the eyes of the questioner and an
swered:
Because not one had greater beauty
than mine."
Raising his hand and taking a steT
forward, the man spoke with vehe
mence: For that reason you sent away
that northern prince and laughed hin
to scorn, and because he was SO hum
bled he returned to his home a hatel
Of womankind, broken and disaD
pointed man. Know this, your high
hess-that prince had more beauty thar
you, for his was of the soul, while
yours Is Of form and face. The lowest
Of your subjects has greater beauty
than you, their princess"
The princess shivered and turned
away, but no word did she answer.
"Your highness. go now. but shall
return" With a quick movement b,
kissed her hand and disappeared int
the woods.
The princess leaned against the tret
trunk and hid her face In her hands
She was still there when her maid Of
honor came to her In the gathering
dusk.
The next day a new prince came II
the court to seek the hand of the prin
cess. He was tall and dark. and hi
chin showed strength and determine
tion. his smile was gentle and kindly
and one and all were attracted to him.
The princess did not scorn him MOI
did she show him favor. She watched
him as he walked through the paIac,
corridors with his easy stride and hiai