How King Christian Came Home.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue III, 18 July 1903, Page 209

How King Christian Came Home.

King Christian rested outside the Hermit's Cave on his way to his castle from which he had been absent nearly twelve years. All alone sat the old warrior in his suit of mail, his venerable head resting on his strong right arm, while his flowing snow-white beard swept the stone table on whieh stood his helmet, dinted in many a fierce melee. “Truly a strange home-coming,” he said to himself presently, “without even one little .page to attend me. My daughter Margaret weeps ior a dead husband and a dead father, but has two dear children to corn f opt her in her loneliness. So much have I gleaned by the way; but ” He paused, for he heard approaching footsteps, and a boy’s voice exclaiming, “Here is the cave, Isabel, and we ean easily follow the bridle-path to the pos-

tern. What ho! Sir Hermit, show yourself.” King Christian turned his head, and io! a boy and a girl exceeding fair and handsomely attired stood before him. "The Hermit is not within, my httie friends,” he said, as he noticed their surprise at seeing a stranger; “but maybe 1 can help you.” “Sir Knight, I thank you, no; unless indeed you yourself make for the eastie. Then will my sister and 1 be right glad for your company, for night falls apace.” “Oh! Geoffrey, let us hasten homewards,” said the girl. “Speed as we may, darkness will overtake us, and should we lose our way a second time, our wild flowers will be dearly bought.” King Christian started. The voice reminded him strangely of his daughter's voice, and his own shook as he looked lovingly at Isabel, and said, “Long ago, maiden mine, I used to sit in this old forest, and by my side a little laughing Margaret; and she was wondrous fair, and so like you, but she’s a great queen now.” “And Margaret, her name?” asked the boy. “Why, that’s our mother’s name, and she’s a queen. Go you to see her, good Sir Knight?” “I do, for ’tis her birthday night. But, children, come and sit upon my knees, for I would talk with you awile.” Hand in hand they approached and did as they had been bidden, for Isabel had quite forgotten the darkness now. The king smiled, and putting his great arms gently round the both, continued: “So Queen Margaret is your mother, Isabel, and Geoffrey is heir to a kingdom! And does your mother ever breathe her father’s name?” It was Isabel who answered. “Daily she does, and prays he may return, and yet he died in fight against the Saracens, and so she knows he cannot.” _ “But he will, fair child; this very night.” “How know you that, good sir?" “Children, I have a secret, which even the little birds have not whispered to you. You sit upon King Christian's knees; your grandsire’s arms are round you. Nay, start not. Men think me dead, but the good God has brought me home to comfort a sorrowing daughter, and watch over two tender lives. In a fierce fight against the Saracens I was taken prisoner by a certain caliph, and removed to his palace. His daughter, a frail little maiden, walked with me daily in the beautiful gardens, and but for her I should have died in captivity. I told her I was a king, and longed to get back to my own land. “ ‘Then trust to me, and to Hassan,’ and she pointed to a black slave of gigantic stature, who stood near. “‘But your father’s displeasure!’ 1 said.

“ ‘I fear not that, 0 king,’ was the gentle reply, ‘for, like the roses, I shall fade with summeft-, and go to my Father’s home and yours in that Paradise you tell me of.’ “And that night a little vision in white appeared by my side as I slept and a kiss on my brow awoke me. I rose and followed the caliph’s daughter through the dim and silent palace to the gardens and the city beyond. Guards and night watchmen we but no one dared to stay- us, for my little guide flashed in their faces her father’s signet ring. And so we reached the city gates.

where stood a great white camel held by the faithful Hassan. Again a flash of the signet, and the ponderous gates flew open as if by magic.

“ ‘This beast is faithful,' the maiden said, ‘and not to be matched in the East for swiftness and endurance. Travel westward by the stars, and at the third sunrise you will reach a great city by the sea, whose name I know not; there you will find a ship to carry you home. I have saved you for the sake of the beautiful message you brought me. It

has made me, oil. so happy. *a re well, Sir King, farewell!’ “So we parted forever. And now. come, let 1 a lie going, for a king’s castle is a better place than a hermit’s eave.”

There was great joy in the castle on Queen Margaret's birthday night, for King Christian had eome home, ami father and daughter were united. His nobles came to rejoice at his return, and the old halls resounded with one Bplifted shout of joy. “God save the King.”