The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-11-23
Copyright, 1905, by
Il. A. Whitehead

length, land I will marry him.
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 mocking gleam of the
princess eyes. Some, however. re-
NAMED 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 tile full. deep voice of 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 80
sweet an May?"
As the last note died away the singer
came into view. He was tall aud
straight as m 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 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 it.
We're 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 man replied, Il will
tell you. have heard of the beauty Of
| the princess, and l have come to look
upon her and to see for myself II she
is all that report has said.'
BE satisfied" said the princess, rais-
ing her hand with gesture Of dis
missal. you have seen. Now 60, and
| go quickly, for am the princess"
your exclaimed the man. He step
ped back n few PAGES, still keeping his
gaze fastened upon her face. Il might
have known And he turned to 60.
"Stay!" said the princess imperious-
ly. "Does report say true!'
Madam" the man replied as he
faced her again, "they told me that q
man could not look into your eyes with
out being dazzled by the light of them.
l 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 higllness
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 tree? Cal
you. with all the aids of art, be as
pleasingly graceful? Madam, they told
me your voice was sweet and gentle
that it's tones We're like music. They
spoke truly, but it is not heart music
To the careful ear its tones are hare
and without beauty"
i The princess proud head dropped a.
she stood like a child humbled by re
buke as she listened to the earnes
words of the wandering singer.
"Your higlness, your people respec
you and show you reverence. The.
honor you, but-do they love you!'
The voice was gravely questioning
and the princess was compelled by til
quiet force of the man to answer
Without lifting her head she answered
"No."
"AIadam, throughout this kingdom
and kingdoms far away went fort
your word-'FiMl me Il man who's