Omaha daily bee., 1919-01-26

/ him at times that the bird was
caused him to marvel much, and to
wonder what manner OF bird it was.
"One night as ! stood outside he
garden wall talking to the mask
he told me that there was a strange
nightingale singing in the garden
And for several nights he came
with his little book, until he had
the song copied therein And he
told me it was unlike the song OF
the first nightingale, although most
beautiful. He was indeed a learned
monk, for he would know all
things, even the language of birds.
But again there came another
nightingale" continued the old man.
while the little princess and her pet
monkey drew close to him, so in
terested had they become in the
story who sang a still different
song. and its music was the most
beautiful of all And il delighted
the monk, for it was indeed most eX-
quisite. And my lovely, mistress
must have thought likewise, for her
eyes shoue like two stars. Now
this went OH for some time, until
one night ii came 10 pass that there
was no nightingale singing in the
garden, and as this continued for
several nights my lovely mistress
became disconsolate. And al
though she sat every evening by her
window there was no music from
the leafy trees, and by degrees she
grew more sad and lonely, until
finally the roses iii her cheeks faded
and the music Of her laugh was
heard no, more" Again the old
man paused to wipe away the tears,
and the little princess also wiped
her eyes, for she was deeply touched
by the story.
"Now, it CHANGED one evening"
continued the old man, as my mis-
tress was out walking, that she met
the learned monk, who WAS also
respondent because the nightingale
sang no more, And, seeing him
standing listening to catch, as it
were, just an acho of the beautiful
songs that once filled the garden,
she spoke 10 him and asked il he,
too, missed the music oil the night
ingales Whereupon the monk an
swered that he would give much to
hear them again Then, taking out
his little book, he showed her the
music of the birds which he had
copied therein. And my lovely mis-
tress was much pleased, for she
saw that the notes mingled in per
feet harmony. Seeing this, the
monk said: Come you 70 the
church in the closter grounds and
play upon the organ the uiehtin-
gale music" And she followed him
silently into the church, up the long,
dim aisle. until she came to the Or
gan. Here she sat down, and,
glancing over the notes, commenced
to play. But from the song OF the
first nightingale there came no
music, nor from that of the second,
and she was bitterly disappointed.
"'Be not discouraged said the
monk, but try the third song
so my lovely mistress again
turned to the notes in the little
book, and as soon as her fingers
touched the keys sweet music came,
and as it grew louder and sweeter
many people came to listen, for the
music was of such kind that II
touched the hearts of all. = And as
she Ilayed on, as if by spirit hands,
a long, narrow stained glass window
swung slowly open. through which
the silver moon sent a silver path
down to the altar. Suddenly. out
side the window came the music OF
a nightingale. sweet and clear, and
with outsretehed wings the bird
glided down the silvery path
straight to the feet of my lovely
princess mistress. And my mistress
was much amazed, and ceased her
playing and arose and stretched
forth her hand to touch the bird,
when. 10 and behold Instead Of the
nightingale there stood her lover.
Hand in hand they came down the
aisle together and walked over TO
the house Of the priest. And he re-
turned with them to the church
while the people waited, and my
lovely mistress and her lover were
married amid much rejoicing"
And they lived happily ever
after?' asked the little willful prin-
cess.
"Yes." answered the old man,
until he needs must return to the
war"
"And did he not return agaiu,"
asked the little princess.
Come with me- said the old
man, and I will show you where
she sleeps" and he led the way
down the old garden. He never
returned" sighed the old man.
standing by the grave of his lovely
mistress, above which he had set a
wooden cross. carved with the iig-
ure of a nightingale; "he never re-
turned, and when the news came
that he had fallen in battle, my
lovely mistress fell i'll aud died.
"The little princess knelt down
by the grassy mound for br:ei
space. Then she arose and fol-
lowed the old man back to the
ruined castle. Thank you for the
story" she said simply, and bidding
her pet monkey follow, she FASTENED
back to the coach,
Il said a prayer, monkey, dear,
she confded, as she carefully re-
traced her way down the crooked
path. THAT ] might cure myself
Of nv wiilfuiness. For when |
think of the sorrow of that lovely
girl il makes me ashamed 10 think
that | should make others unhappy
by word or deed"
A little thing, a sunny smile,
a iotyioor word AZ morn