The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-04-20

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her the story of his life, hiding nothing.
When he had finished. the faint hope
he had cherished died away entirely, for,
although there was no disdain, nor any
reproof in her voice, she shuddered
slightly and she said: you may not
enter"
And the fairies Knocked him bitterly
as they drove him away once more.
But Desire spake to him again and
again and counseled him as to the man
ner of speech he should use when he
should plead again. And as he listened
he perceived that Desire was trans
formed and was become Love.
Wherefore he knocked again, and
when she opened he said:
"No man is worthy of you, and may
not claim entrance, but most humbly
beeseech it. for that the great love have
for you has burned away all the dross of
the years that are gone, and my heart, at
least, is pure gold, for that love you SO
truly"
And she listened and said him nay
many times, but he, taking counsel of
Love, continued to come and to plead
with her. And he spake only of Love,
counting all things else a waste of
words.
/ And after many days she said: IF
believed you, you should, enter. For in
deed, If love such as you tell me of is
calling could find it in my heart to an
swer. But the fairies tell me you are
not true, and have dwelt with them
always, and trust Them
Then the man turned away in great
sorrow and cursed the fairies vehement
ly, knowing in his heart that he was in
deed sincere, and he set himself to cap
ture, and bind and put away his little
enemies, one by one. 1t was weary
task, and many times he almost gave it
over, for they would free themselves and
fly back and gain ner ear, and when they
whispered she would close the door that
was slowly opening. But he was patient
and steadfast and for long time, and a
dreary, he wrought, saying to himself:
Il can but perish if try and if try not
I perish" But he toiled as one having
no hope.
And when he was we'll nigh spent ono
glorious evening came, when, as he stole
to the familiar. doorstep, there was
naught in his way, for the fervor of his
great love had been stronger than all
| enchantment, and his queen stood forth
smiling.
Again he spake of Love, repeating his
story, over and over, because he knew OF
nothing else to tell, but he said: NOW,
once for all, beloved, will say that IL
you open the door for aught else but
Love or if win my entrance in any way
save through your hearts desire, may
not enter. For would surely die upon
the threshold if aught else but Love
should open the door. Wherefore 1
pray you, beloved, to love me truly, as
love you"
Then straightway he saw Heaven and
heard its music. for she opened her won
derful eyes very wide and gave him such
q look of ineffable tenderness as would
lift a lost soul from the memory of all his
torment, and her smile was as the glory
of God, when she said: Il do, sweet
heart"
And the door opened wide and he en-
tered and dwelt in her heart. And he
besought her constantly that since she
had given him her heart she should also
give him her life and her very self.
But he had not slain the fairies, for
that no man may do, and after time
that was all too brief to reckon they
made their way back into the enchanted
house, and since they could not drive
him forth they whispered to her.
And she said to him: "You ask much.
For you are a man and you give up
nothing for love, and am woman who
was fairy, and would give up all if
should indeed marry you.''
Then he answered: Il do plainly per:
ceive that your love is less than mine,
for you are counting the cost. All that
l am, and all that have, are yours,
but if you stop to weigh it all in the bal
ance against the priceless treasure ask
for, repentance will surely come and
kill you. And If I stay not on the suf-
ferance of your most sacred thought anil
as the guest of your very heart, may
not stay. Nevertheless, beloved, I pray
you to love me in truth, for if you put me
forth there is no place on earth for me,
nor any peace"
But she said again: "You ask much.
fear you ask too much. And the fairies
tell me you are not true"
So he saw that her whole heart was
not his, and he went forth sick unto
death and desolate as none may know
who has not suffered in like fashion.
And after long time, in which he
grew old exceeding fast and ate of his
heart daily, she sent for him to come to
her again. And when he came she was
thin, and pale, and suffering.
And she said: Il see now that love
was best, and that have missed my
life." And she laid her head on his bo-
som and died.
And he held her close and kissed the
dear lips that would never kiss again,
and he wept sore, but rejoiced greatly,
saying: "At the last have found peace
unutterable. For now nothing can any
more come between my beloved and me.
Moreover, the ecstasy of that time when
she was mine remains within my soul
forever. The wrath of Heaven itself
cannot consume what have known
Kansas City Star.