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


stood looking into her face.
He was tall and slim in his greer
leathern doublet, and his clear brown
eyes were full of thought under tht
we'll marked brows, and she saw witt
a touch of curiosity that unlike hel
own northern folk his hair was blacl
as a ravens wing.
He gave one swift look up at the
tree above her, and before she hat
recovered from her surprise he hat
swung himself from bough to bougt
and reached the little hat with the
mocking crimson feather.
Now, still in silence he stood agair
by the gray chargers side, and as he
returned the missing property the
brown eyes met the long lashed yio
let ones. and the hidden Cupid lurk'
ing under the brim shot out swiftly
an arrow right and left. So the mis-
chief was begun.
The color sprang up in her lovely
face as she stopped and recovered the
little hat, and Thank you," she said
simply, and as he stood there still
gazing with his heart in his eyes, "I'm
afraid I'm lost, said the Princess in
all innocence. will you please tell
me the road, sir?" For she thought
this was the most suitable way to ad-
dress stranger.
The young man smiled inyolunta-
rily. "I'm afraid you are long dis
tance from anywhere" he began, and
at the sound OF his voice time and
space rolled away and she knew him
at once for her "dream fellow" for
her "dear-that-was-to-be," and she
caught her breath with a sudden
quick little "oh." of wonder and JOY
and recognition as ne finished his
speech.
This is the very centre of the
royal hunting grounds" he told her.
She leaned forward across the gild-
ed trappings of Eonnyboy, ,hugging
her secret knowledge.
I've run away" sne said confden-
TALLY. Its great fun, only" as a
pang OF hunger seized her, 1--WE had
no breakfast yet"
The quaint confession from one SO
richly dressed stirred his sense of hu-
NOR, and despite himself he laughed.
But at the sound the girl drew her.
self erect with a touch of resentment.
"I am the Princess Marigold. she
said with pride, "and my father is
King Stanislaw, of the Thirty North
ern Towns
lis -hoEed- -lox-ts-the- ground.
"your highness has but to COM
mand."
His humble manner disarmed her.
My poor nut is but a few yards away,
not meet, indeed, for kings daugh-
ter"-a little chill ran through her at
the coldness OF his voice-'but If
your nighness would deign to accept
such hospitality as can offer"
She broke in childishly, wounded
by the barrier she herself had raised.
So, taking her horses bride in his
we'll shaped brown hand, he Led her
down a messy path, and they soon
came to little clearing in the wood,
where 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 apleaseseat, too" as he stood
before her, deferentially serving hel
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 tnat 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 ben
his dark head lower. and his smile
was good to see. ~
Look in my eyes," he whispered
look well, oh, Kings daughter, anc
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 O
her northern streams in a strange
mist of deep content the little hui
faded away and she was in noble
banqueting hall hung with cleaning
armor, at table heavy with crysta
and gold, and beside her on the higf
dais was prince in cloth OF silver
with a jewelled circlet bound abou
his brows.
But his face she could not see
strive as she would to pierce the en-
shrouding mist, only ner heart tolt
her with a sudden throb that his
locks were of raven hue.