THE MISTLETOE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1920, 28 December 1918, Page 4

THE MISTLETOE.

AN OLD-WORLD LOVE TALE,

The daughter of the hardy, -stubborn race of early Britons were noted lor their beauty, and the fairest, most winsome jnaideu of them ail was Thom. Her supple form swayed as a willow branch, her eyes were big for-get-me-nots; wild roses blushed upon her cheeks, and her smile recalled a summer dawn. She was queen of many hearts, for to look on I'hora was to love her; and youth laid souls at Thorn’s feet. But the timid would look at none of Britain’s sons, lor as she trod upon the brink of womanhood -Julius, a young Roman soldier, chanced to glance her way. He could not tight against her charm, and would not if he could. The die was cast. Tin* countless arts of love he knew full well, and used them all to gain the love of Thorn. The maid was shy (or was she coyf). All that Julius won was a Heeling glance-or a blushful smile. And so the tale goes on. One day it seems (hat they chanced to meet alone, and Julius learnt from Thora that her kinsmen were waxing wrath at her friendship with the alien. Julius noticed that the girl wore about her neck a string of mistletoe berries. In answer to his questions she told him that her grandma had placed them (here to keep away the witches' spell. “And why, sweat maid, do they think you are witched.’" said Julius. ST “Because lacy -ay 1 smile when you are near, mid sigh and pine when I see sou not. "Ami do you. Thora inquired the youtin “So -ays my grandmother.’’ Iho maiden softly said. The legend goes on to tell how Julius tried in vain to make the maid confess her love and accept, his heart. She would not grant one kiss, or utter one kind word. In plain English, it seems she kept, her admirer nl arm's length. At hist Julius remembered Ihe prevailing faith in the mistletoe—how it was suppe-ed to charm away sorrow and suffering, give help to the hunter, and power to the warrior. The thought si nude (lie sentimental swain. “Why not hick to the lover,’" And, plunking a spray of mistletoe from, his tunic's held he hdd it over the maiden’s .golden head, saying; "Now wilt kiss me, Thorn.’" and to his ecstatic sUV-V pi iso she “unhesitatingly yielded! her lips." Then, fearing to meel her people, the happy pair lied lo Rome logeth<T. Of their fullin' nothing is known, out we will fondly hope that the luck of (he mistletoe followed lo the end of the idmpier. And lints —according to tradition, or romance-—is how the gentle ar! of kis.-ing under the mistletoe originated.