The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-05
PRINCESS ISOLETTA.
a Tale of "a Lost Race
BY PORTER EDMINsTER.
CHAPTER Iy-CoNrINUED.


And now will pass over the happy part
of my life, for the happiness is for the indi-
vidual only, and only the sorrows concern
the men Of the future
There on the plains we wandered for
many moons, when at last we fell in with a
hunting party of the people Of the plains.
They were our enemies and were about to
put us 10 death when one of their number
recognized Martec as the General who had
so often led the People of the Sun against
them in battle. When they learned that
we were driven from our tribe they re-
ceived us kindly and conducted us
to the great City of the Plains. Their Gov
ernor, too received US with marks of distinc-
ton, for there was n prophecy with them
that some day their greatest leader would
come out OF the City of the sun to join them.
And so we dwelt with them, and every
day they grew to love Martec. At last alter
many moons, the Governor of the city told
Martec that the people wished him to go
unto another city five days journey dis
tant and there dwell as its Governor
So we left the great, safe city and went
thither. Then were we happy for many
circles.
Oneday party of our hunters suddenly
returned, bringing the news that a mighty
army of the people of the sun were en-
camped not three days journey from u.s.
All was excitement. The city must be
got ready to stand siege, for that was our
only chance as their army outnumbered
ours four times. For the next day and the
next no foe appeared but early on the
morning of the third day onr people could
distinctly see the enemy advancing and the
sunlight flashing upon their helmets. Soon
they were drawn up in front Of our doomed
city. Then did we learn that Yulo him self
commanded the army. We SAW a soldier
advancing, holding out his hands as token
that he was the bearer of Il letter He
scaled the wall and then delivered his mes
sage to Martec. 1t was demand for the instant
surrender Of the city. 1t went Oh to say
that if Martec, who had escaped from the
City OF the sun, would come forth and be
executed, and II l. the Princess 1s0letta,
would deliver myself up to Yulo, he would
| cause his army to withdraw and leave the
| city unframed; but If we did not accept he
| would besiege the city and remain there I'M
| til starvation forced us to surrender, and
| then he would not spare one single soul in
| the whole city.
''Tel him." said Martec, that ne -.
while have the strength to IL Il 5 ), ord, will
surrender the city. And should all
but perish, his soldiers would find
me sword in hand standing at the gate.
! i ell him that, and further say, that l desire
to engage him in single combat, but / think
IudL lie likes not IhaI klill OF lBnLlnB.
And this was Matrices answer.
The soldier returned to his comrades.
Soon did We see a number of bowmen come
| out from among the others, and then they
| aid let fly upon our city cloud of arrows.
| Martec ordered our boWmen to answer Them
| and for some time there was perfect whirl-
| wind OF the featheTy shafts, which brought
| death to many of the soldiers If both sides.
will not dwell upon the su1ferings OF our
| poor people through the awful four days
hat Bn Sin In h.. fcrl,f cf Fl,
| fourth day not particle OF food and very
| little water remained in the city. A council
was held, and the desperate chance was hit
! upon OF sending q messenger to the far
| distant City of the Plains to tell our friends
OF our danger. No one was willing TO vol
| unteer, as it was almost certain death.
| Then Martec with his old courage told his
| people that he would go. And then | begged
| him to let me 20 too. Cautiously the gate
| keeper opened the gate and we went out
| from the city for the last time, and softly
the gate closed upon US forever, and we
| found ourselves in The darkness outside the
| city walls.
| We had only gone a few steps when we
| heard the stern command Haiti" and we
| were prisoners. Matrices sword was forced
| from him and our hands were tightly bound.
Now my hand falters as | write, and from
my eyes the tears are falling, the bitterest
! tears l ever shed, and the glorious rays of
| the last sunset l ever am to see blind me.
| Therel it is gone now. And again l write
the last few words | have TO say.
| Oh. God l thought could set down what
follows, but cannot. will only write that
at the dawn of the day Martec was shot BY
the bowmen by order OF Yulo. l cannot
write more.
That night witnessed the last of the
doomed city, for a general attack was made
on 1t, and the poor people, made feeble by
want of food, could make little resistance
The city was fired and all who were not
slain by the soldiers persisted among the
ruins Of their homes
The flames rolled toward Yulo's came, as
though eager to destroy the destroyer; but
that work was reserved for weaker hands
And then came the long journey back to
the City of the sun. l was calm and bore
up well, for a burning desire was in my
heart and that sustained me.
And then came the hour of nv revenge
Last night, as L was in my room, Yulo came
again TO me and again offered me his hand
IN marriage. L received him kindly, for that
Was Was my plan; | told him had forgotten
Martec (base lie) and now loved him. His
happiness knew 10 bounds.
Whlle he was speaking to me in loving
terms, l, unobServed by him, drew from his
belt his dagger and hid it in my robe, for |
shall have use for it. He wore a sword of
keenest edge and sharpest point, which |
recognized as having once belonged TO Mar
tee. asked him to let me look att. He did
so. Now lie was in my power l turned
on him like wild beast. "Foolv'
l. low udTeSL IDOu trust INV
self with the widow of the murdered Mar
tee? Down on thy knees, you coward, IT. ur-
derer, patricde, down, l say. and il you
have prayer to offer utter it quickly, for
you must die" He rushed toward me and
| drove the keen-edged sword through his
heart. Then rushing to the door l cried
aloud, Look, o people of the sun
Look on the work Of isolettal Here, even
with the sword of the murdered Martec
have done Justice" Then | dashed the
blood-s stained sword away and fell to the
ground.
The sun is sinking to its rest in the land
PACK Of the great river, and sheds its last
beams through the window of my cell in
the great prison. My sun, too, is setting and
am sinking to my rest.
This Is to be my last night on earth, and
tomorrow am TO join my Martec NV
work is finished and lay aside nv nen +
am prepared, and the next sunset will see
me with my Martec, and we shall never part
again.
To be Continued