The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-26

1nen straight to the shepherds cot.
tage came the exalted one on the rich
ly caparisoned horse, accompanied by
a few chosen ones including one at.
tired as court jester.
Well met. good man." said the ex.
alted one, addressing Rivarre. And
thou seemest here In the forest to
thrive OF goodly prosperity and plenty
Might we intrude upon thy hospitality
to the extent of a draught of goat 8
milk? The same, good man, would
soothe our red hot outlets For certain
It's that we are sorely athirst."
Rivarre bowed low to the exalted
presence on the horse. and then called
to those within the house the order for
the milk. Paulo, too, bowed low. For
both shepherd and huntsman had heard
Thold, the court fool, address the ex-
alted one as Sire" And they knew
that they were looking upon his males.
ty, King Leofric of Urania.
Recalling the warning of Hagar, the
witch, Paulo felt fear so vague he
could scarcely define it, yet a fear so
| compelling that invountarily he
stepped to the door of the cottage to
warn his Godiva to remain within. But
Paulo was too late. Already the fair
Godiva had appeared in the doorway.
coming forth with earthen vessel Of
| milk and followed by her mother with
earthen cups.
And now the king looked upon Go.
diva as one transfiXed So instant was
his admiration for the lovely daughter
Of Rivarre and so instantly fierce his
| passion and desire for maid so exuuis-
lite, that he dismounted that he might
the better view her Incompatible love-
liness, And Paulo trembled with rage
at sight of this kingly covetousness.
And Godiva herself was filed with
strange alarms.
"'Tis an ugly wench," said Thold
the jester, close to the ear of the king.
so ugly, sire, that thou hadst better
quaff the milk she proffers and fly
hence, lest she take thee with her nor.
rible eyelids'
"Silence-fool!" the king replied.
Homage thou shalt pay to beauty so
rare. BY my halidome, thou shalt
make obeisance to yonder maid as to
a queen. Grovel, say. Grovel at her
feet, Thold, and kiss not more than
the toe of her sandal. the which being
the total of her person thou art fitted
to look upon"
And in awful fear, Thold, the lester.
groyeled dutifulIy at the feet of Godiya
and kissed the toe Of her sandal And
the king quafged the milk the maiden
proffered. And the gentlemen of the
encourage drank deeply also OF the
goats milk till much refreshed, they
waited foi the fu,ther commands OF
their august sovereign.
Thy name. said the king, speaking
directly now for the irst time to the
I object OF his newborn admiration.
"Godiva!" the maiden replied, cour-
tesying.
a.! It's name most beftting thy
form and face, Ia king said Thou
art named after the lovely Lady Godiva
who, 400 years ago. rode through the
market-place of Coventry on white
horse, With naught out her black
tresses % cover her perfection Of per-
son. | would walk tith thee. Godiya
in yonder wooded alsles / would a
word with thee away from ali profane
ears Might 1t please you, Gcdiva, 10
venture hence under my proteotion?
A request from the king was a com.
mand. Paulo was nettled and fearful.
ly he trem bled with rage at the bold.
ness of the king. But rage most i'm