Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1909-08-27
THE KISSING FETE.
Nv ROBERT c. WARNER.

ginning OF the festivities crowns OF
people were fiocking to the entrances
of the park, and during the evening
many thousands came and went. OF
these there were the young and the
older, married, the former as partici-
pants, the latter as spectators.
And what was the occasion of the
fete? An edict had gone forth that be-
tween the hours of and II any young
man might kiss any girl in the park
provided he wore in his cap a green
feather. This provision was introduced
to enable any girl opposed to strange
embraces to take to flight on the APP
proach of a would be kisser.
AS the clock struck 0 two young
girls entered the park arm in arm.
One was tall and stately, with very
black eyes. a cable of plated black
hair hanging down her back. The
other was smaller. n blue eyed beauty.
with hair of spun gold drifting in the
breeze They had no sooner passed the
gate than green feathers began to
fiutter in their path. Many a young
man approached, but was deferred by
a repellent glance from the queenly
brunette. For an hour the pair walked
about the park watching the others
Now and again some young girl would
suddenly dart away on seeing youth
approach whom she wished to avoid
or to appear to avoid Here and there
would be heard suppressed screams
and giggles, while smacks resounded
like pistol shots.
But the two girls walked untouched.
Many persons noticed them. but no
one seemed to know them. 1t was sup
posed that they were of high degree.
daughters of noblemen who had come
to witness the kissing without taking
part in it, and it was even whispered
that they were from the court. But
there were men present from the
court. and none of them had ever seen
the girls before. The people wondered
why these gallants dared not offer to
kiss two such beauties.
Near midnight man with a black
beard entered in company with one
who appeared to be his son. 1t was
Passing the two girls. they turned and
looked at them, then. walking in a 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 people then saw the older man
IA ri ri xryhn LOT
expected that she would wither him
with a glance. What was their sur
prise to see her after a faint resist.
ance submit to be kissed. Then when
he offered his arm she took it. and
they walked on together.
"You are very bold" said the lady.
| "Such beauty as yours would inspire
boldness in 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, I am no liar"
"But would you break heart for q
strangerY
at is she who is the stranger.
have never seen her"
"Never have seen her! What man
ner Of man are you who wooes with
out seeing her you woo?"
81 see her / WOO. l have not seer
her l have intended to make my
bride"
There comes my friend with YOU
boy. / must rejoin her. This is bu
the adventure of an evening. Fare
we'll"
eve will not part without the pledg,
of another meeting Tell me when an(
where l 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 o
this affair overnight and resolve to b.
true to that which l surmise is to you
interest"
"Wait and see"
The next evening the stranger drov,
up to the villa in question. He wa
ushered in by lackeys with every evi
dence Of profound respect. He seemed
surprised In a sumptuous salon h
was received by the lady who had s.
suddenly inspired him. She was smil
ing at him with an air of triumph.
81 am surprised to see your maj
esty." she began, but he interrupte'
her.
Majesty
eyes. You were known to me iron
the first"
"Who are you?"
First let me know your royal dec
sion. For me will you break with tn
] Princess Margaret"
1.-THE Princess Margaret! What d
you know of the Princess MargaretT
"Will Won cast her OF for one yol