The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1912-05-16


~ A~ said one Of several men
who came forward to join
.l She held out her hand.
and a. she did SO she looked at me for
Q second. She withdrew II gracefully ana
added with Q smile. II was only admit
ding q new one," and then bade me fol.
low her. She introduced me here ana
There and told me how many times
must dance with each. We went on the
porch, and standing there was again
struck With the resemblance to the lady
IN my dream.
you are like the nrst part Of my pic
turs." ! said softly. =.
Then let me play It for this evenins."
she said. And II you can imagine me
. Colonial dame. you shall be Courtier
from KING Georges court"
'.'0ood." cried. III you will admit
that I have come across the sees a.
vooing."
"As you will. my Lord" spreading
out her gown and courtesying. But
WI not be responsible for the conse-
ouences: DO see to It that you play well
king again"
After that I addressed her only as
Most gracious Lady" or Fair Mistress
Ellen" I wooed her In the strange and
quaint language Of a hundred years
ayo. Sometimes she seemed startled at
my earnestnsss. and when thinking my
speech too fervent she would bid me 20
hence and add another wallhower to
ny already large bouquet would
otra1ghtway return and tell her OF the
court LIFE. and wovs amid my imagery
e. edd mixture Of my New England
AemA Onee. taking her hand for mo-
La rfra the hAR Il
'Ah. Ellen, ] love you we'll and would
take you to . court In truth whore you
would And Q royal welcome. and you
would Be . queen to every one who
knew you. and would 80 guard you
b, that neither poverty nor sorrow should
ever come near you or to those you
love-"
b. Il have naught to do with courts. my
Lord" she said with q certain pathos.
and I knew she was thinking OF her duty
At the Pines. 80 so back to your king.
and, whether he be ambition or gold OF
both. forget the simple Colonial dame
who more often plays the part OF dairy
maid. And now" she said. looking into
my eyes, and laughing. go and seek on,
every maid over twenty-ntns. and when
you have led them through the graceful
minuet come back to me-"
And i would do as bid and dance
some old-time waltz with some lonely
maid, and then return to Miss Ellen'i
side only to be sent away again to some
one who she noticed was not dancing
Finally the supper hour was announced
cad ! was made happy by Miss Ellen
who chose mo as her partner for the
march. Just as We were forming into
line some one cried:
''It u the hour for the w1shing-stone.
and then one and all. save myself. for
dtd not know what was meant by the
wishing Joined in the clamor
Miss Ellen yielded at length, and. still
holding my hand and bidding me give
the other to the girl behind ME, and SC
on down the line. We started out OF the
house through one OF the deep, low-cu
windows. We circled the porch, crossed
the gardens. and passed down thS
terrace. The moonlight altering through
the trees gllmmersd brightly on the
coiored frocks as we sped down tn,
cedar lane. At length we emerged on ar
open knoll In the centre Of which wa,
an old stone sundlal covered with ivy
We formed a circle round It. and Mis-.
Ellen. letting go my hand. stood on
stem by It's side, and calling one aftel
another by name babe each lay his OIL
Mar hand on the bare surface of tn,
stone, where the ivy had been cut away
and to make wish. one lol...nc d
might have thought we were band o.
secret plotters taking the oath of al
iegiance on tomb. 1t was no jestni
meter, ] could see, for each one in tina
gay, party approached the stone II
silence and reverence. The only sount
that broke the stiffness was that OF Mis-
Elien's voice as she called each nam,
In turn. At last my name was called.
little more gently than the others
thought, and Miss Ellen. seeing me ap
proach. held pp her hand and motione'
me to stop.
And now. Mr., Palmer" ! heard he
saying, "as a stranger 10 the wishing
stone It behooves you TO approach
revsrently. There Is no reason to tel
the others this. for they know the legen,
and its secret charms; but to you VIII
know II not aud who come a.
sssnger TO It. tempt not Its anger b
psssdinx II. even In your thoughts or It