The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-31
VOMA AND VERA.

the gorgeous pillars OF hef P''iuoe ohi"-"S
in their lonely spiendor. 1t is, however II
long time since the beautiful larry de
ported from the scenes of her labors, ana
her palace has for ages been lying in rum.
although in fine weather we may still see
the remains of it.
From her palace Voma used 10 visit the
earth bv sliding down moonbean. and
then people would wonder what marvel had
taken place, for night was made so lovely,
and earth seemed under such spell OF
bliss. During her visit TO this world she
went into palaces and novels. ana silo
ALWAYS. by some means known TO herself,
rectiiied errors and helped the miserable
and oppressed
Now. Mt this time, i'm the remote east,
there lived an ogre named tgo lie had
n great, gloomy castle surrounded by hlgh
walls. and containing many dismal cells.
into which he had thrust thousands Of
Door creatures, in his cruelty and they
never looked again upon the sun Into
these darlsome dens the light Of day
never penefrated and sad indeed was he
whose lot il might be To be cast into
them Voma had been in this castle; she
had been through il unknown 10 the
ogre, and she had observed the miseries
Of the captives. Being possessed OF
power OF doing universal good, she, by
IA spell, caused the desert round ugos
castle to blossom in one night INTO beau-
fifu garden, from which the WIND, carry
inc the sweet smells of the flowers, blew
into The castle and refreshed the poor,
weary prisoners in their misery.
In Ugo's castle fair young princess
named Vera was being kept III gentle cap
tiyitv She was the giants niece. aud
was the only person TO whom he had ever
been kindly lie wished her to marry
the Giant of the West, who was very
cruel and ate human beings. Naturally
Vera was opposed TO this, but she paci
fed her uncle by not directly refusing, i'll
the hope that the fate he planned for her
might be averted: and day by day Noina,
the fairy, was watching her, and had
woven around hera spell by which melt her
bird nor beast nor flower nor any living
mortal could harm her.
Vera was not confined 20 the castle, but
was allowed TO roam at will in the garden.
The ogre. however, said TO her: Promise
me not to 20 beyond the garden, for !
shall watch. and in the hour thou goest
tHOu Slull ult. % vera ptOHioNN' i'Ni
unclc also said Promise me not to
speal. to any stranger, else the same
doom shall fall upon ye both. And Vera
promised, but under her breath she
prayed TO all good fairies for help.
The next morning she was walking IN
the garden singing low, mournful song,
while her uncle, the ogre, was asleep in
his chamber. She was near the road that
led by the limit Of the garden, when she
heard footsteps and voice singing MGR
rily She looked up and saw youth OF
princely appearance, who paused beside
the hedge and gazcd upon her with eyes
full OF admiration. He was about her
own are. tall and graceful, with dark
ewes ANA high sunburnt brow, crowned
with Il wealth of brown hair, that fell IN
waves over his temples HIS sandals
were dust stained as if be had come
long Journey. He had plain. broad belt
around his waist. from which hung
short sword. whose hilt was one bright
jewel-the only ornament about his person.
Vera felt his eyes burning into her soul,
and felt half impelled to tell him her
woes. and ask his help; but remembering
the promise and the threat she raised her
face and said, "Oh, gentle youth | feel
thou art a prince Behold me, the
Princess Vera, captive to Ogre ugo.
There are his towers. and none who enter
therein again behold the sun. Pass on
thy way and do not pause or death VIII be
thine.
He answered her, Il am the Prince
jewelbrand come out of the far west
Tell me. oh Princess Vera, what hast
thou done that Ogre Ugo should hold
thee herey
Vera said to him. "Oh, brave prince,
both thy life and mine are Imperfect by
oar speaking Ugo is my uncle and will
have me marry the Giant of the West,
aud would die rather. Day after day i
linger here and pray To all good fairies for
relief Day after day seem to pray in
vain, and fear at every moment that my
fate NAV be fulfilled Pass OH then, noble
prince, imperil not myself for me.
But he replied firmly. Nay, but will
free thee, though death should follow.
Fair princess, | shall hasten 10 my own
land, whence | shall return with brave
warriors who will break the ogre's halls
asunSutrsht - thee forth"
Vera blusiieesdaief96- 10 ger moments
fortune follow thy steps. Then the
prince claspcd her to him and kissed her
Oh both cheeks.
Just at that moment thsy felt the
ground under them tremblc, and great
shadow stood between them and the sun.
Looking up they saw the ogre, who an
grily lifted them and carried them into
the castle He thrust Vera into very
small room. and then going away with
the prince he flung him into a deep under
ground cell. having frat taken his sword
away from him Lie there and rot, oh
toy princel" lie said. and turning u huge
lock he left him.
Stunned little at first, the prince be.
gan to recover and to move around his
cell. 1t was very dark, but he could fee!
a ersat many objects lying on the damp
door, and when his hand slipped on some
thing round and cold. which he knew to
be scull, he at once felt he was cropping
among the remains Of the poor prisoners
who lad persisted there before him. lie
wondered il no should be tho next whose
bones should crumble there in darkness.
He also wondered what would DO the fate
Of poor Princess vcrs, and in the dark
dungeon his love for hG grew deeper.