The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-04
PRINCESS ISOLETTA.
a Tale of n Lost Race.
CHAPTER III-CoNrlNrrn.
BY PORTER EDluNSTER.

from the spot WDere nad last seen Martec,
back TO my solitary house. more desoate
now that should never again be cheered by
his visits or encouraged by his kind words.
Through the street, which is between the
houses and the face of the cliff. went, and
at last reached my house. from which on
the evening previous Martec had been led
by the soldiers.
l sat down by the window like one
stunned. All that had happened had come
so quickly that l could scarcely realize
what had transpired
All that weary day did l thus sit think
ing, until at last the day drew to close,
and darkness again stole silently over the
earth, enveloping everything in its dark EN-
brace. AT last l seemed to regain the
power Of motion. l was resolved upon
what would do. Why linger here in this
abhorred world? No, would join Martec.
wondered that had not thought of that
before. Soon would I be with him, or if
there was no life beyond that which we call
death, l should sink into oblivion. This
thought cheered HE, and | actually laughed
aloud. Yulo's revenge would accomplish
nauGht, for he would not separate us. But
what means should l employ? There before
me lay the precipce; swifter roadway to
the great unknown could not be found. But
still heSitated. OF a sudden l remembered
potent poison which once belonged to my
father, the King. l sought out the case in
the wall, where it had lain for many moons,
and removed the vase containing the COM
pound. 1t was bright, and sparkled like
melted gold. a small quantity would sui
fee.
Going to the window l looked out upon
the star-lit heavens, for the last time |
thought. In few moments where would l
be?
As Il stood thus, holding in my hand the
poison. thought that 1 family heard my
name sounding from far below me. Again
heard i. What could it.be? Could it be
spirit? Family there came to me the words,
'1soletta, are chou there?"
Who calls?' cried 1, setting down the
poison, for hope, wild improba hope,
came to me.
Hush" came from below, "'tis l, Mar
tee. l am not dead. fell upon a project
ing ledge, and am safe. Make no noise, Iso-
letta, lest We be overheard"
''Martec is it indeed thou, or is it thy
spirit come back to tell me of that land I
know not of?''
., NO I.oletta, it is I. myself no restless
But if Won are found you will be slain"
All, lsoletta, l mean not to be found. |
must fly from here TO some place out of the
power Of Yulo. But am bruised and faint.
Cannot you lower me some food and
Water"
hastpned to obey Hound long, strong
cord, and To its end made fast a vase Of
wafer. Quickly l lowered it out into the
darkness. Down, down it went aud at last
stopped. 1t lad reached Martec IN safety.
Then l drew 1t up empty. Hastily | at
tached small basket and in il placed many
cakes. Again lowered the cord, and again
Martec received il in safety.
i have been on the ledge all day, fearing
to stir least should be seem" said Martee,
land then l with great difficulty made my
way from the ledge beneath the palace 10
this one beneath your house. NJ any times
have nearly fallen, but some unknown
power helped me, and here l am in
safety"
How can describe my JOY at thus finding
Martec come back from the dead? No need |
Tor poison now Martec was safe. In |
stanty came the thought to me, how can he |
esc. pc? "Martec," said |. hast thought |
OF the difficulty Of escaping?' From far be- |
meath me came tie reply. That is ali de-
!ermlned; IN all this long day have thought |
Of nothing else. | must leave the City of |
the sun this very night. The darkness is my |
friend. Another day and / may be dis |
covered, and If 50 Yulo will take care that l |
escape not again. | must first make my
way into your house. l will wait until the
people are all wrapped in sleep and then
Will make tile attempt"
But how can you reach my house? The
ledge on which you are is far beneath me-"
You must procure for me rope"
How could obtain the rope without at !
tracing the attention OF some one? AT last |
thonglt eofne TO me. Not far away was |
ele sho? Of rOpe-maker who from his |
ulrth had never been able to either hear or
speak. This was my man. wait" | |
whispered 90 to fetch rope" Hastily |
ielt my house fthad grown late and none |
were IN the streets. l fastened on to the |
shop OF the rOpa-maker, and at last | |
reached It. The curtains of the house were |
close drawn AID knew that the owner was |
asleep. l parted tue curtains and entered |
the shop. Directly in front of the door lay |
the sleeping form of the rope-maker. AS
my foot struck him he sprang to his
feet and seized huge knife but on
seyins WHO w his visitor. he put down the
knife and advanced, making motions of
welcome. l held out my purse and pointed
70 the piles OF rope which adorned his shop
lie understood NE, and going to the other
side OF the room took up two stones, which
ne smate together to produce fire. With this
the ropes OF many sizes, and selecting one OF
very small size, held it out to me. l shook
my head and took up the end of one
OF MS largest ropes. He looked sur
prlsed, and no doubt wondered what l
could want with such one. But [ showed
him the money, and his face frightened. |
What cared he what l wished the rope for. |
IL he obtained his money! Perhaps | was |
ABOUT 70 strangle myself; but no matter, |
the money would be his.
cheese the longest rope he had, and after
giving him the coveted coius, attempted 10 |
carry it away. when l encountered a new
difficulty. The coll was heavy, more than
could lift What could l do? The thought
OF Maltec standing on that ledge of rock
Came to me, and again l tried to lift the
rope, but again l failed
At last | took ont another coin and
showed it to the rOpe-maker, and then
pointed to the rope and 10 the door. lie IN
derstood me, and eager to earn another
con, picked up tile coil, and followed me
out into the street. l hurried toward nv
house, fearing every moment that we might
meet some of the guards. But we did not
meet any, and at last my door was reachei.
where ! mOtloned my companion to put
down his load.
Watched his form disappear in the dis
tahcc, ana then with all my strength drew
the rope into my house and closed the cur
talns. Hastily did / make my wav To the
window and whispered, Martec, 1 have
returned"
Hast procured roper" came from be-
low.
'Yee it is here; soon will L lower it to
ye,<" replied /.
And now a new difficulty; how to make
last the end Of the rome. l looked about NV
house, those poor walls would never stand
me strain. The gods must be against us.
Had succeeded thus far, but TO fail now
No! Like a reserve in battle, coming to
the rescue OF soldiers who are too holly
pressed, so to my mind came the thought 10
~ NJ iast JIG rope ~ some projecting rock
IN the lace Of the cliff The rope then must
reach across the street. and should any one
pass our plan would be discovered and our
i hves must pay for it. But what is danger
70 desperate onep Quickly l opened my
curtains and looked out No one in
sight but in the distance heard the heavy
tread OF one Of the guards approaching and
WIN haste l drew my curtains again. On
ne came, past my door, and soon his foot
steps died away in the distance Now had
The time come. The soldier would not re-
turn for some time. but before he did.
Hsrtec.g%st gain my house.
again looked out. Silence. In nv hand
HELD the end Of the rope, / crossed the
slfeel and began searching for some rock
suited to my purpose. Fortunately / found
enc. made the rope fast to 1t and tested
II with all my strength. If all went we'll
Martec would soon be with me. Yet there
was the periious ascent dared not think
OF II. l entered my house aud by using ali
my strength threw the coil out of the