New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1909-09-08
THE KISSING f
BY ROBERT G. WARNER.


ciation.l
The fete was a great success Long
before the houl. announced for the be-
ginning of the festivities crowds of
people were focking 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 s 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 fight on the APP
proach of a would be kisser.
AS the clock struck two young
girls entered the park arm in arm.
One was tall and stately, with very
black eyes. cable of plated black
hair hanging down her back The
other was smaller. a blue eyed beauty,
with hair Of spun gold drifting in the
breeze. They had no sooner passed the
gate than green feathers began to
futter 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 a 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 a man with black
beard entered in company with one
who appeared to be his son. 1t was
| apparent that both were disguised.
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 un-
known people then saw the older man
approach the girl who was left They
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 a 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-
lution.''
"You do not deny that she exists
81 do not. Whatever or whoever l
am, am no liar"
'sBut would you break heart for a
Stranger
| "1t 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 l WOO. I have not seen
her I have intended to make my
BRIDE"
"There comes my friend with your
boy. must rejoin her. This is but
the adventure Of an evening" Fare
well.''
eve will not part without the pledge
Of another meeting. Tell me when and
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 of
| this affair overnight and resolve to be
true to that which surmise is to your
| interest
stWait and see"
| The next evening the stranger drove
up to the villa in question. He was
| ushered in by lackeys with every evi-
dence Of profound respect. He seemed
surprised. In a sumptuous salon he
was received by the lady who had SO
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 interrupted
her.
Majesty
eYes. You were known to me from
| the first.'
"Who are you?''
l