Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-08-28
THE KISSING FETE.
BY ROBERT c. WARNER,


before the hour announced for the hr.
ginning OF the festivities crowds of
people were docking to the entrances
of the park, and duriug the evening
many thousands came and went. or
these there were the young ana the
older. married, the former us p0riri-
pants, the latter as spectators,
And what WIS the u,7aSlun of the
fetef An rdct had gone forth that he.
tween the hours Of $ ana II any young
man might kiss any pir In the park
provided he wore In his cap n green
feather This provision was introduced
TO enable any girl opposed 10 strange
embraces 10 take to Hight on the mp.
preach of would he kiSscr.
As the clock struck o two young
girls entered the park arm in arm.
One was ull aud stately. with very
black eyes. Il cable of plated black
hair hanging down her back. The
other was smaller II blue eyed beauty.
with hair of spun gold drifting in the
breeze. They had nn sooner passed the
| gate than green feathers began to
hultur IN their path. Many young
man approached. hut wnS deferred 10y
a rrprllrnt glance from the uuccnly
brunette. For an hour the pair walked
about the pnrl; Watching the others.
Now ana again some young girl would
suddenly dart away on seeing youth
approach whom she wished tu avoid
! or to appear To avoid Here ANA there
would he heard suppressed screams
and giggloS. while SmnckS rcSoundrd
, like pistol shots.
But the two girls walked untouched.
! Many persons noticed them. but no
| one seemed to know them. II was sup
posed that they were of high degree.
daughters of nOhlcmrn who had come
to witness the kissing without taking
/ part In II, ANA II was even whispered
= that they were from the court But
/ there were men present from the
! court. ana none of them had ever seen
the girls before. Tho people wondered
| why these galants dared not offer to
kiss two such beauties.
Near midnight man with II black
beard entered in company with one
] who appeared to be his son. 1t was
4 apparent that both were disguised.
! Passing the two girls. they turned and
y looked at them. then. walking in Il cir
Gle, met them again. AT this second
meeting the younger man darted to-
ward the blue eyed girl. Seeing him
coming. she left her companion and
. ran away. Those watching these I'M
known pconlc .hGn saw the older man
approach the girl who was left. They
expected that she would wither him
/ with n glance. What was their sur
prise to see her after y faint resist
! ance submit to be kissed. Then when
no offered his arm she took it. and
they walked on together.
you are very bold" said the lady.
"Such beauty as yours would inspire
| holiness in n coward"
"You had no right to kiss me. You
do not wear the green feather"
'True never thought of that. But
such beauty as yours makes one for
get"
"You may have a ladylove."
such beauty as yours would win
me from her in spite of my best reso'
luton"
"You do not deny that she exists"
81 do not. Whatever or whoever |
am, | am no liar"
'fut Woulu you Drehh Il h'"'' 'o' d
strangerT'
at is she who is the stranger. |
have never seen her"
Never have seen her. What man
ncr of man are YOU who wooes with
out seeing her you woo?"
81 see her | WOO. I have not seen
her have intended to make my
bride"
There comes my friend with your
boy. must rejoin her. This is hut
the adventure of an evening. Fare
we'll"
1--WE will not part without the pledge
Of another meeting. Tell me when and
where may communicate with YOU
tomorrow"
"You may call upon me tomorrow
evening" She gave him the location
of a villa where she said she lived.
"But you will not. You will think OF
this affair overnight and resolve to he
true to that which | surmise is to your
interest"
"Wait ana see"
The next evening the stranger drove
up TO the villa in question. He was
ushcrcd in by lackcys with every evil
dence of profound respect. He seemed
surprised. In sumptuous salon he
was received by the lady VIII" had so
suddenly inspired him. She was smil-
ing mt him with an air of triumph.
81 am surprised to see your maj
rsty." she began, but he interrupted
her.
"Majcsty"'
Eyes. You were known to me from
the first"
"Who are you?"
First let me know your royal dcci-
sion. For me will you break with the
Princess Margaret?'
"Thc Princess Margaret. What do
you know of the Princess MargaretT
evil you cast her off for one you
have seen but once"
81 will wed no one at present. | ask
to be permitted to pay nay addresses
to you with view to raising YOU to a
throne"
so you are not so sure of this new
born love after all?"
81 am. wish time to prepare my