Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-02-17

/ guard, saddled .Bonnyboy herself, and
gone forth for her last free ride,
weary Of pomp and ceremony and dis
mayed at the prospect of marriage
I with the unknown prince.
And as he listened lovingly she
gave herself up to the sheer delight
of his company, with ever the strang-
est sense of bygone meetings in the
happy land of dreams, and her heart
went out to the lonely young wood
man leading his simple, thoughtful
life far from the garish world with
out.
80 that is how 1 ran away" said
the little Princess, with sigh; for
the happy moments seemed flying far
too fast, and note of anxiety came
into her clearyoice.
] do you think they'll find me
/ here?" she asked.
And all he answered was:
do you want them to find you, lit
! tie Princess"
And as she shook her head. the
gold curls rioted round her lovely
face. Look in my eyes," he said
again, "and I will show you my king
dom-my kingdom of love-"
So there came to her the second
vision.
She saw herself in the peaceful cot
tage with the roses Towering round
the porch, but her purple robes were
gone, and she was clad in simple
gown of gray, her dimpled arms bare
to the elbow, her gold hair. all un-
jewelled, falling about her round
young throat, and she was cooking
the frugal evening meal.
Beyond, tired with his days work,
his axe across his knees, the woodman
in his leathern doublet sat and
watched her-his brown eyes full of
love.
"Ah," said the young girl softly,
''i& is hard to be a princess!
Choose" said the woodman, and
his voice rang with hope, choose be-
tween thy dreams"
And even as he spoke there came
the distant sound of horn and anon
the thunder of horses hoofs.
":They have found me-" cried the
little Princess, and the tears stood in
her violet eyes, but the woodman only
smiled, leaning across the narrow ta-
BILE, holding her gaze.
Look in my eyes," he pleaded,
"and choose, Princess of my heart,
for in thy hands shall it remain"
And now the cavalcade had swung
forward to the very door, her gentle
men of the guard, her archers and
her women, and behind these again
the princes envoy, resplendent in sill
yer mail, with his courtters and his
soldiery and his priests, the whole
forest. breaking into a quivering mass
of lances and pennons> and tossing
plumes, velvet doublets and the scar
let and purple hoods.
But the little Princess had eyes for
the woodman5 alone, and the bluebird
without was silent and the white hare
held Its breath. but, the Cupid stirred
In his hiding place, and, 1T is love"
she whispered, .'and you
Then ne swung her UP in his strong
young arms and kissed her before all
the astonished throng without.
And as half ashamed, half trium-
phant, she clung to him, burying her
colder Eesd Ggssinrsstt tn hhe #eed@& as
cloak a great cry went up:
The Princess! the Princess her.
self."
Then an angry murmur stirred in
the serried ranks and her archers
pressed forward as voice cried
harshly, who is the man."
And the priests peered from under
their hoods and crossed themselves
and the women's chatter arose.
But the little Princess raised her
head, and still with her lovers arms
about her she turned and faced them
proudly with the courage of her birth,
and a great silence fell
He Is my man." she said in her
clear young voice.
Even as the words passed her lips,
and she saw that great sea of faces,
scornful, mocking, incredulous, fig
ure gorgeous in silver mail parted
the foremost ranks and running
quickly forward bent his knees before
the pair.
Long live our prince!" he shouted
Justify, and the woodman laughed
aloud. Then as those behind recog-
nized their lord in his simple hunting
dress the .hubbub grew apace, cheers
and laughter and the ringing of steel
and rustic of silken gown as lords
and ladies, priests and soldiers.
pressed forward to greet the; royal.
lovers.
And only the Princess frowned.
You cheated me-" she said, striv-
ing in vain tc Keep the gladness from
her eyes.
Sweetheart" his voice was for
her ear alone, both dreams were
true; twas only fairy test. You
shall have power and wealth-and
love beside" he whispered. = The
Taller.
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