Cañon City record., 1906-05-10
the STRANGE WOOINC
OF the PRINCESS

The princess sat in the rose garden
| A cool breeze blew from the lake .Es
the scent of the roses filled the air.
Above, on the terrace. Haunting his
gaudy colors in the sunshine. strutted
peacock. From II distance came the
sound of music and burst of laughter
followed the climax of a tale told by
the Jester.
The princess wore a look of habitual
scorn. and because Of her arrogance
and haughtiness she had come to be
known throughout the kingdom as my
Lady Disdain." She was beautiful,
there is no denying IT; but, alas. she
knew it too well.
Again and again she had been told
by lords and princes who had sought
her hand that she was far lovelier than
any other woman they had ever seen.
From far and away came men OF title.
of wealth. of historic fame. all eager
to wed this fair maid. but she would
have none of them.
Find me a man whose beauty shall
be greater than mine." she cried at
length, "and l 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-
mained 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 diliet 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 II 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.
WHAT in all the world. in all the world
they say.
Is half so swert 50 sweet. Is half so
sweet az May"
As the last note died away the singer
came into view He WIS tall anu
straight a. an arrow. aud he swung
niong wit; au un>i7iIied grace far DIFF
ferent frou the carefully acquired strut
of the courtiers
His thick dark hair was tangled and
powdered with the dust Of the road.
An uukempt 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, il II
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 trembIed as they awaited tile
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, II will
tell you. have heard of the beauty OF
the princess. and / have come to look
upon her and to see for myself II she
is all that report has said
"Be satisfied" said the princess, rails
| ing her hand with u gesture of dis
missal you have seen. Now go, and
| go quickly. for ! am the princess
Your exclaimed the man. He step
ped back few PAGES. still keeping his
gaze fastened upon her face. II might
have known And he turned to go.
"Stayv' said the princess imperious-
ly. Does report say truei'
Madam" the man replied a. he
faced her again, they told me that a
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.
l can look into them, and your eyes
shall fail before mine. When the glad
light of love shall shine Ia them then
] one may indeed be dazzled Yocr high