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

down the green glade.
Every now and then a shaft of sun
shine piercing the delicate screen of
leaves struck echoing CLEANS OF
brightness in her golden hair, which
she wore in two long pleats fastened
lightly with slender chain of pearls
and finished by a great clasp of I'M
cut emeralds just where the two
glossy braids met together below her
dainty waist.
Over her white childish forehead
the disordered curls were blown hith-
or and thither by the morning breeze.
and once she put up her hand in its
embroidered leather glove and
brushed aside a tendril that fell
across her violet eyes.
II can't think where it has blown
tot"
She addressed the gray charger as
he picked his way with caution down
the messy aisle, and he turned his
head obediently at the sound of the
gay young voice.
II never say a hat run along so
fast"
A blue bird swooped down with a
clear ripping note across her path;
Its long green tail flashed in the sun
beam, and it was gone.
Il believe that bird laughed" said
the Princess suddenly. "I hope this
Is not magic wood" and she crossed
herself, with a quick glance back
ward over her shoulder.
For she had been we'll brought I'D.
The forest grew thicker and darker
at every step of the wise gray horse.
and the moonshine filtering through
the heavy boughs was almost OBJ
scured
II don't like it at all" said the lit
tie Princess at last
Il wish I hadn't come all for the
sake of a stupid old hat that blows
away"
She gave an impatient sigh; for
how was she to know that the wind
was entirely blameless for once and
that wandering Cupid safely tucked
under the brim had borne the little
three-cornered hat aloft by invisible
wings, he himself but the servant of
higher power. Turing the little feet
In their red morocco shoes right into
There was a rustic in the under
growth and a flash of copper as a fox
stole out of it's lair to gaze at the
royal intruder.
For was she not kings daughter
come from a far and northern land
to wed the prince of that very forest
where the red fox lived?
And would it not be a fine tale to
tell mother fox and the cubs at home?
So he stared up at her furtively
out of his sharp bright eyes, and the
little Princess clapped her hands with
delight.
But this was too much for forest
nerves, and he skunk back with his
brush laid fiat and his wicked point
ed ears against his head and vanished
from her sight
And the loneliness seemed heavier
than before
II wish l hadn't run away" said
the Princess sadly.
Il know it's breakfast time. and 7
believe"-a little frightened look
came into the violet eyes-"I believe
we're lost. Bonnyboy."
She pulled her steed ND suddenly
and slipping down to the ground
hung her arms around the comforta-
bic gray neck.
You understand, don't your" she
whispered with her face pressed
against the satiny skin. 81 don't
want to be married to any prince
want to stay at home with Won and
the dear white rabbits md Dame Sun
flower, and-aDd wear my hair I'm a
pig tail and be happy. I'm sure a
crown hurts"
The gray charger muzzIed his mink
nose gently against the royal purple
of her robe, and she ran her little
myers through his tangled name,
while Comfort, the fairy whose 9th
er name is Human Sympathy. and
who fingers where hearts are warm.
cast his feecy mantle round the
childish shoulders.
So after a little while she mounted
again and with a fine courage turned
not back, but rode forward steadily
into the very heart of the wood.
And once She caught a glimpse Of
the bluebird overload. and anon a
pure white hare hoped out on to the
narrow path and looked up with
friendly fearles8ress at her out of his
round pink eyes.
Then, turning. he started of down
the glade ahead. an outrider I'm snowy
livery showing her the way.
Forgetting her hunger and ioneli-
ness, the little Princess smiled. for
she loved al' creatures, great and
small, and despite her royal birth
she had lived a simple country life
until this long Journey south to wed
the prince
And shortly they came TO where
four paths mot and there to her won
der and delight she saw the little
three-cornored hat with the great
crimson plume that marked its own
er's rank pcrched upon the bough Of
q chestnut tree above her.