The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1888-08-22
V0MA AND VERA.

V0MA AND VERA.
Long ago beautiful fairy named Noma
built a palace in the moon. From the
earth. on clear night, people could see
the gorgeous pillars of her palace shining
in their lonely spiendor. 1t il, however, "A
long time since the beautiful fairy de
parted from the scenes of her labors and
her palace has forages been lying in ruin.
although in fine weather we may still sec
the remains of it.
From her palace Voma used to visit the
earth by sliding down n moonbeam and
then people would wonder what marvel had
taken place. for night was made so lovely,
and earth seemed under such a spell Of
bliss. During her visit to this world she
went into palaces and novels. and she
always, by some means known to herself,
rcctiied errors and helped the miserable
and oppressed.
Now, at this time, in the remote east,
there lived an ogre named Ugo He had
IL great, gloomy castle surrounded by high
walls, and containing many dismal cells.
into which he had thrust thousands of
poor creatures, in his cruelty, and they
never looked again upon the sun. Into
these darllsOme dens the light of day
never penetrated and sad indeed was he
whose lot it might be to be cast into
them Voma had been in this castle; she
had been through it unknown to the
ogre, and she had observed the miseries
of the captves. Being possessed of
power of doing universal good, She by
spell, caused the desert round Ugo's
castle to blossom In one night into Il beau
tiful garden, from which the wind, carry
ing the sweet smells of the flowers, blew
into the castle and refreshed the poor,
weary prisoners in their misery.
In Ugo's castle Il fair young princess
named Vera was being kept in gentle cap.
tiyity She was the giants niece, and
was the only person to whom he had ever
been kindly. He 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
fled her uncle 10y not directly refusing. in
the hope that the fate he planned for her
might be averted; and day by day Voma,
the fairy, was watching her. and had
woven around hera spell by which neither
bird nor beast nor flower nor any living
mortal could harm her.
Vera was not confined to the castle, but
was allowed to roam at will in the garden.
The ogre however said to her: promise
me not to go beyond the garden. for
shall watch, and in the hour thou goest
thou shalt die" So Vera promised. Her
uncle also said: Promise me not to
speak 10 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 a voice singing mer.
rily She looked up and saw II youth of
princely appearance, who paused beside
tho hedge and gazed upon her with eyes
full of admiration He was about her
oGn age, tall and graceful, with dark
yves aud high. sunburnt brow, crowned
NTH wealth of brown hair that fell in
waves over his temples. His sandals
we're dust stained rs if he had come a
long journey He had plain, broad belt
around his waist, from which hung a
short sword. whose hlt was one bright
iewel-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 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 will be
thine.
lie answered her. Il am the Prince
Jewelbrand come out of the far west.
Tell me, OH Princess Vera, what hast
thou done that Ogre Cgo should hold
thee here.'
Vera said 10 him. "Oh brave prince,
both thy life and mine are imperiled by
our speaking. Ugo Is my uncle and will
have me marry the Giant of the West,
and would die rather. Day after day |
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 may be fulfilled. Pass on then, noble
prince. imperil not thyself for me-"
But lac replied firmly. may, but will
free thee, though death should follow.
Fair princess. shall hasten TO my own
land, whence | shall return with brave
warriors who will break the ogrc's halls
asunder and take thee forth"
Vera blushed, and, after moments
thought, said. "Go, then fair youth, and
fortune follow thy steps" Then the
prince clasped her to him and kissed her
on both checks.
Just ut that moment they felt the
ground under them tremble, and n 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 lie flung him into Il deep under
ground cell, having first taken his sword
away fron, lin. "Lie there and rot. oh
toy prince" he said, and turning a hugo
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 feel
grea. many objects lying on the damp
floor, und when his hand slipped on some.
thing round and cold, which he knew to
be scull, he ut once felt he was cropping
among the remains Of the poor prisoners
who had persisted there before him. IIo
wondered II he should be the next whose
bones should crumble there in darkness.
lie also wondered what would be the fate
OF poor Princess Vera, aud In tho dark
dungeon his love for her grew deeper.
EIo felt that he absolutely must escape,
not for his own sake, but for Veras, and
then he cursed the place and the cruel
ogre who had cast him there to die. Then
lie would lie half dazcd. but would start
up and cry for Vera till the walls ro.
echoed as though the dead bones around
had sprung up to life and shouted her
name. Then he would cry; 1T Is a
dream There Is no veral" But her
image would return to him SO clearly that
the delusion vanished.
Meanwhile Vera. sitting where she had
fallen, weeping bitterly and In fear,
awaited the return of the ogre. lie came
MT last ihnnlnrinn nlonnr La nnsanlra aud