The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-03-23

where a lodge. covered with roses,
was hidden behind knot of cluster
| ing oaks.
The bluebird perched on one OF
the pointed caves carolled forth a
welcome, and by the open lattice win
dow that led to the lawn below the
| white hare blinked In pink eyes ap-
provingly at the pair.
The woodman helped the Princess
to dismount. and leaving Bonnyboy
to browse on the short, sweet turf he
led her into the low. whitewashed
| room, where, on the bare table, the
sight of cold venison pasty and
bottle OF country cider brought the
color back to the tired face of his
royal visitor.
I'D no idea how hungry I was"
| she told him gayly, as she settled her.
self on the three-legged stool, but
you must please eat, too" as he stood
before her, deferentially serving her
with the simple meal.
And as he shook his head, proudly
disclaiming the honor, she laid lit
tie hand on his leathern sleeve, pro-
testing.
At her gentle touch the mischiev-
Gus arrow stirred in his wounded
heart, and he knew that this was the
sign OF ''love at last" and no pass
ing. needless fancy.
Please" said the little Princess,
and she had nearly told him how Of
ten they had Jared together in the
golden land of dreams. but he bent
his dark head lower, and his smile
was good to see.
Look in my eyes," he whispered;
look well, oh, Kings daughter, and
you shall see my palace-my palace
of power and wealth"
And as she gazed into their brown
depths like some clear pool of one of
her northern streams in strange
mist OF deep content the little hut
faded away and she was in a noble
banqueting hall hung with cleaning
armor. at table heavy with crystal
and gold, and beside her on the high
dais was a prince in cloth of silver,
with a jewelled circlet bound about
his brows.
strive as she would to pierce the en-
shrouding mist, only her heart told
her with a sudden throb that his
locks were of raven hue.
Then as quickly as the vision came
so it passed, and the woodman was
standing before her in the white
washed room cutting the venison
pasty.
And after little while, as the
good food cheered her she began to
tell him simply about herself, of her
distant much loved home, and her
sorrow at leaving it.
OF the long. stately journey south.
and how she had slipped away at
dawn from the camp on the frontier,
where they had lain the night to
await the princes envoy.
How she had passed the sleeping
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
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.
So that is how l ran away" said
the little Princess, with q sigh: for
the happy moments seemed flying far
too fast, and a note of anxiety came
into her clear voice.
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 I'm my eyes" he said
again, land will show you my king
dom-my kingdom of love"
80 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