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“The Legend of the Tower”

In the age of new inventions, when woman first began to feel herself equal to the sterner duties of life, in the land of sunshine, of lofty mountains, and golden poppy fields, there stood a large, many gabled building, on top of which was an open tower. The moon blessed everything with its mellow light, the air was laden with the fragrance of the orange blossom, and filled with the sweetness of the cricket’s song. But the young maiden in the tower knew not these things, as she sat leaning against a pillar, gazing intently at the ponderous volume she held. The moonbeams touched her long hair with a brighter gold, and lighted her brow as if with a lofty inspiration.

She did not withdraw her gaze even when a youth passed by with quick, impulsive tread. But he caught sight of her and stopped, and looked intently—and then began to ascend the building by means of the heavy vines which covered it. The tower was nearly reached when out on two gables, one on either side, sprang two goblins. Said one, with terrible voice, “Why come you here?”

Replied the youth, “I come to take that maid for mine own.”

A slight frown passed over her face and then said the goblins together, “She is not for you: depart.”

The youth, with disappointed air, descended from the building and went his way.

Then came another youth of strong and stalwart build. He saw the maid and pity filled his heart, for thought he, “How dreary must be her lot. I will release her.”

But ere he reached the tower, the goblins again appeared and asked as before, “Why come you here?”

He made answer, “To take the maid away, that her life may be more pleasant as is the life of other maids. ” Again the maiden frowned and the goblins also bade him depart. But this youth, braver than the first, feared not the guards and made as if he would pass them. At which a shower of large pebbles fell upon his head, with such violence, that he too went away.

Then came a third youth. He saw the maid from afar and looked intently toward her, and when he reached the building he too began to climb to the tower. But again the goblins came, forth and questioned him, as they had the other youths.

This one replied, “The maid is lonely; I come to remain with her, until her task is completed.” A faint smile passed over the maiden’s countenance, though she looked not up.

Then said the goblins, “Pass on, she is yours. But see that you disturb her not. Only at the midnight hour may you speak to her.”

And even now the volume is not yet finished and at the hour of midnight, if the cricket’s song is not too loud, and the wind is at rest, their whisperings of love you may hear.