The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-08-27
THE KING WHO COULD NOT SLEEP.
"a Swedish Legend.)


As an island rises above the sea- so rose the
old fortress of King CAIRNS above the surround
ing moats. AT its base clustered so many dwell
lngs one would have said it town over which
the castle cast It's shadow and its protection
When the sun shone, the war shields
which were hung upon its walls glistened with
thousand bright rays. and when the moon shed its
soft radiance one would have thought that so many
silver lamps were lighted
The court of King CAIRNS was magnificent and
widely renowned for galantry and bravery In
the lofty halls of the palace the severe and heroic
figures of the brave knights mingled in the groups
Of the richly dressed courtiers for King CAIRNS
was bellicose monarch who loved to conduct his
warriors on far expeditions.
King CAIRNS possessed, then, what men most
desire-glory and wealth; and in his powerful
hands he held even the lives and the possessions of
his subjects.
Did he but make the sign, his garden and his
palace were filled with music Bards sang his
exploits to the accompaniment of harps and beau
tful dancers sought to chase the lines of care from
his brow.
Nevertheless, King CAIRNS was not happy; King
CAIRNS could not sleep.
When night spread its wings over the town.
and when courters and warriors and all his sub
jects were reposing the poor king alone sighed and
groaned III the solitude of his apartment for sleep
forsook his eyeids He proclaimed one day to all
the doctors of the kingdom that they seek rem
edy for his ailment and cure it under pain of los
ing their right hands.
At this news many learned men quilted the
country; but the courageous remained All
gave the king their remedies and the narcotics
which close the most obstinate eyelids but alas
with this false sleep came the most hideous night
mares and dreams, fatguing every night.
Not one of the doctors could give him the forget
fulness Of natural sleep, so the executioner had
many hands to chop off The sufferings of the king
increased, and in the dark night he writhed in
misery on his bed.
He now promised half his kingdom to whom
soever should cure him. On the other hand, he
who should fail must perish on the scatfold, and
tins alternative prevented many from making the
attempt
One evening there appeared at the castle gates
a poor child who wished to speak to the king.
What business have you with our master!"
asked the courtiers
Il wish to cure his malady" she replied.
At the sight of her sovereign. pale and hag-
gard on his purple throne, the child became trou-
bed and began to cry.
"Who are you and what is your nane!" de-
manded the king.
'Seignior my name is Sigma, and tend focks
far away from here at the furthest limit of your
empire"
And what is your errand"
ITO console YOU sir, and cure you"
The king shook his head incredulously.
go back, child, go back; for you know it is
certain death that awaits you"
But the child begged the king to let her see
him IN private
God grant" she said "that I be not too late"
where is your re1nedyp asked the king
Come here, seignior, and Will show it to you"
And she drew him to the window which looked
out on the sweet-scented gardens. The king fol-
lowed her but his expression was most severe, and
he repeated: where is your remedy?"
Above, my lord and she pointed to the sky
above their heads.
The monarchs brow darkened and in a voice
Of thunder he cried: "Haye you come only to rid
icule my woel"
Il came, o king, to teach you how to pray; to
pray, and be consoed and cured"
Upon this, the kings fury burst FORTH and, call
ing his guards he commanded Sigma to be thrown
into the tower, and that scafold should be erected
under his windows. He would see her die under
Lls eyes the next day at sunset
That night King CAIRNS slept little. As he lay,
weak and gasping, on his pillow, the phantoms Of
his past moved before his tired eyes, approaching
him with his crimes. and dashed him with painful
memories. In the morning the king too weak
to rise ard his courtiers bore him to his reclining
chair
The scaffold had been erected under his win
dows, and at the promised hour the king APP
peared His heart filed with vengeance weak
cned little when he saw. the child alone in the
midst Of the soldiers.
And as she began to mount the steps, he turned
aside his head not wishing to the execution.
Suddenly, in the silence which reigned, clear
voice reached him, and, turning, he saw the poor
little child kneeng on the platform; her eyes were
turned toward heaven, and she was praying.