Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-10-19
Copyright, 1905, by
K. a. Whitehead


Princes who had at glance con-
quered maidens' hearts came, secure in
the thought of victory, but went, van
quished by the proud curl of the prin-
cess lip and the hooking CLEAN of the
princess eyes. Some, however, re-
manned at the court, and, finding favor
In the hearts of the maids of honor,
consoled themselves with wives less
beautiful perhaps than the princess,
but fully as charming In their way.
Today the princess sat alone. She
had forbidden her attendants to follow
her and had come to the rose garden
to find peace and quiet. Not one in all
the laughing, merry crowd but paid
homage to her high estate; not one of
those who had sought her hand but
stood in awe of her.
Suddenly her ear caught the sound of
song. Nearer and nearer it came till
the princess could distinguish the
words.
Through the silver mist
OF the blossom spray
Trill the orioles; list
To their joyous lay"
sang the full deep voice Of man. She
started to her feet, her face turned in
the direction Of the voice.
g What in all the world, in all the world
they say,
rs half so sweet, so sweet. is half so
sweet as May?' /"
AS the last note died away the singer
came into view He was tail 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 dishgured 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 man had gained entrance to the
palace grounds? How be 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 heref' she demanded.
"My lady," the man replied, 81 win
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 go, 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. Il might
have known" And he turned to go.
"Stayw said the princess imperious-
ly. Does report say trueY'
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.
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 a
space they looked at each other, then
the blue eyes of the princess fell.
The man continued: Your highness,
they said you We're graceful. You are.
but let me show you this willow sap
ling. See the slender curves and the
sweeping grace Of the young tree? 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 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 you2"
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
mo"
Madam, throughout this kingdom
and kingdoms far away went forth
your word Find me man whose