The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-24
CHAPTER I.

Godiva, the Shepherds Daughter,
was dressed in the simple frock of
the shepherds daughter My name
for the time being was Godiva. And
l was about to enact the first scene IL.
the photoplay by James Oliver Cur
wood entitled THE Story of the Plood
Red Rose" The director who was pro-
ducing the play came to me, saying
why not take your pen in hand and
turn this play into novel?"
Maybe WILL" replied But first
| must see whether 1t develops /. story
with sufficient material in it to make
a novel;"
And then we began putting the scene
"on"-I playing the leading part of
Godiva, the shepherds daughter.
whose story l shall set forth here.
Whether this story developed suffi-
cient of poetry. romance, adventure
and tragedy to make a novel. you who
read shall be the judge.
Godiva, the shepherds daughter.
emerged from the pool in which she
had been swimming. 1t was a pool in
the forest glade, and only the eye of
nightingale and thrush and robin had
access to this bathing place of Godiva,
the shepherds daughter. Just now
the nightingale had ceased its song
and II was the turn of the thrush and
the robin to entertain Godiva as she
emerged from her morning ablutions.
For just now the sun of three hundred
years agone was rising over the king
dom of Urania.
Even as Venus rose newborn from
the foam-crested wave of the sea. so
now came the lovely Godiva from the
Gmpid pool in the forest of Urania-
dripping, flushed, blushing. vigorous,
happy. On the moss-carpeted bank
Godiva threw on her frock of white
homespun, low-throated and held TO
her supple figure by cords of cotton
that served as a girdle. A shake or
two of her loosened hair that was as
golden as the rising sun-and the toi.
iSb VI bOdlN q Was llduG.
Through the forest aisles she sped
now till she reached a cottage that
stood in the shadow of great oaks and
willows and elms. and facing the far.
reaching plain whereon grazed her ia.
theirs sheep. Far down the plain Go.
diva could see the hillocks where the
young shepherds, Biento and Machere,
assistants to Rivarre. the father Of
Godiva, watched the flock by night
and day. And beyond the flock Godiva
now could see the frowning. battle
mented walls of the royal palace, the
home of King Leofric and Queen Dull
cinea of Urania
Beyond the palace. as Godiva could
see, the sun was now gliding the min
arets of the monastery of st. Francis.
And as Godiva viewed the monast;c
pile beyond the kings palace an ex-
cited, eager light of joy came into her
eyes-eyes as blue as the sky of Lom-
bardy-and she cried out in sheer ex-
ultation:
Before the sun again gilds yonder
monastery towers l shall belong to
Paulo-my Paulo!"
For this was to be Godiva's wedding
day. She and Paulo, the young and
mighty hunter, had planned to go this
day to yonder monastery, where holy
friar would unite them.
From within the cottage came now
the sound of the patter of wooden
shoes on a wooden floor. And Godiya
knew that her father had finished his
breakfast and was preparing to 90
forth to the plain to view his flocks
and commend his assistants, Biento
and Machere, for their watchfulness.
For it was the kindly way of Rivarre,
the sheep raiser, to encourage with
praise the good work of those who
watched his flocks.
Godiva bounded into the cottage.
Good Dame Rivarre, her mother, greet.
ed her:
Eat your millet and milk. my
daughter" she said, "and then to
your spinning wheel. For there is
much to do this day."
Rivarre. the girls father, chuckled.
You forget, good wife," he said. Our
daughter Godiya this day journeys to
the monastery with Paulo."
"Ay! It's as you say, Rivarre," the
mother retorted. but not till night
fall is Godiva's nuptial hour. Where,
fore is there not time for her to
sp:n?"
All this time Godiva was busy with
ner milk and millet, till now she cried:
My mother, my father! Think you
the holy men of the monastery will
scold girl of twenty for being as
happy as l? Were l more happy than
| am, dear dears, | think-well!-I
think l would be almost wicked"
Then upsprang Godiva and added:
Nay, mother mine, not for me is the
spinning wheel today. | could not sit
still even for so long as to spin one
inch of yonder frock / am going into
the forest. to meet my Paulo. Two
days has he been hunting-to pro-
vide venison beftting our wedding
supper And surely now ne must be
near-and go to meet him"
Out from the cottage then dashed
the fair Godiva and darted again to
the forest. And as she sped, so feet
of foot. she cried again and again,
"Paulo! o Paulo!" Till presently
came an answering cry: "Godiva! o
Godiva!"-and into view came young