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

She rode Bonnyboy up to It and.
sanding in her stirrup, tried to reach
with the end Of her tasselled whip.
But In vain. Once she actually
touched 1t, but the great bough as IL
In sheer mischief swayed up with a
creeking laugh, and again Ii was ont
of range.
And as she sat back in her saddle.
sorely perplexed. suddenly all the lit
tile leaves began to fiutter and there
came stirring in the trees.
From a distant bush the bluebird
swaying like brilliant tropic flower
poured forth a stream of melody,
trill upon trill of joyous song.
Then the branches parted before
the little Princess, and the woodman
stood there looking into her face.
He was tall and slim in his green
leathern doublet, and his clear brown
eyes were full of thought under the
well marked brows, and she saw with
touch of curiosity that unlike her
own northern folk his hair was black
as ravens wing.
He gave one swift look I'D at the
tree above her, and before she had
recovered from her surprise he had
swung himself from bough to Dough
and reached the little hat with the
hooking crimson feather.
Now, still in silence he stood again
by the gray chargers side. and as he
returned the missing property the
| brown eyes met the long dashed vio-
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 I'm her lovelv
race as she stopped and recovered the
ilttie nat. 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 adj
dress stranger.
Inc young man smiled involunta-
rlly' I'm afraid you are a long dis
lance 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 Observation-Disclosures" and she
caught her breath with a sudden
quick little "Oh!" of wonder and low
and recognition as he finished his
speech.
Ihis is the very centre of the
royal hunting grounds" he told her
She leaned forward across the gild-
ed trappings OF Bonnyboy. hupoino
her secret knowledge.
i've run away" she said confiden-
TALLY. TITS great fun, only" as q
pang OF hunger seized her, 1--WE had
no breakfast yet"
The quaint confession from one 40
richly dressed stirred his sense of Inn
NOR and despite himself he laughed
But at the sound the girl drew her
sell erect with touch of resentment
am the Princess Marigold." she
said with pride, land my father ts
King Stanislaw, OF the Thirty North
ern Towns"
He bowed low to the ground.
Your highness has but to com-
mand."
His humble manner disarmed her
My poor hut is but few yards awav
not meet, indeed, for a kings daueh-
ter'--a little chill ran through her at
the GOODNESS OF his voice-"but ~
your highness would deign to accent
such hospitality as 1 can Offer"
She broke in childishly, wounded
by the barrier she herself had raised.
so, taking her horses bride I'm his
well shaped brown hand, he led her
Gown messy path, and they soon
came to little clearing in the wood.