The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-03
PRINCESS ISOLETTA.
a Tale of a Lost Race.
BY PORTER EDnNsTER.
CHAPTER II-CoNrINUEp.

no one had passed them. The people Won
dered, but to no avail. Some thought that it
must have been a spirit, but that idea was
soon abandoned, for the cord which was so
tightly listed must have been put there by
human agency.
BY midday it was decided that Yulo
should be crowned the next. By evening
the people had become somewhat used to
the inevitable.
Early on the next morning the people were
astir and all eager to witness the coronation
of the new King. The people arrayed them
selves in their best attire of linen and the
skins of beasts and made ready for holi-
day. | Joined the thTong outside of the
palace around which | recognized many
persons with whom had mingled
as a child when my father, was reign
ing. They were very kind then, but
since l had been dethroned none of them
had paid me any heed. They had courted
the usurper and now that he was gone they
were 10 come hither to do honor to his son.
At last a mighty blast of the war trump
cts announced that the time had come. The
doors of the palace slowly opened. and
number Of soldiers came out
Another blast of the trumpets was heard,
and out through the gates came the Priests
of the sun, clad in their long robes. The
peorle bowed their heads at sight of these
men. After the priests came many generals
and distinguished soldiers, and following
them was Yulo, dressed in the robes of the
dead King. Behind him was the army.
Among the soldiers l saw my Martec, the
cared He had distinguished himself in
the last war with the people who
live on tie plains. | never saw him
look 50 handsome before. His tall form
showed well among his men. His dress dis
played his massive figure to perfection. and
the suns rays falling upon his spear caused
it to CLEAN like silver
The procession halted upon the ledge in
front Of the palace, and one of the priests,
advancing 10 the edge OF the cliff and eX-
tending his arms toward the plain, called
out in a loud voice, commanding the
sun to pause in its course and listen. Then
he turned to the people and commanded
them TO listen also. The other priests
formed circle about Yulo and commenced
10 chant.
When this was finished Yulo knelt, and
In the presence Of the assembled people they
proclaimed him King Of the People Of the
City of the Sun.
Then all was over, and we were no longer
subjects OF Rastic, but OF 1ulO. As the new
King arose from his knees l thought that
his gaze fell upon me, and his face dark
enCd. Then he tuned, and followed by his
attendants, went back into the palace.
What a contrast those mournful rooms,
where in state lay the body of the murdered
King, to the gay scene without Thus do
we die and for a little tine are mourned
for. and as We lie in state in our homes the
busy world goes on regardless of the ones
who. although so near, are gone forever.
Thus ulO was crowned thus he entered
upon his reign; thus the palace gates closed
upon him, as though to remind him that
they would close upon him fOr.the last time
There in the sunlight he received his crown,
but in different manner he gave it up to a
foe against which spears and guards are of
no avail.
The people turned from the palace and
betook themselves to their homes, where
they were soon engaged in their usual aYoca.
tons. Slowly passed the day, but at last
darkness settled over the earth-dOwn over
the valley, down over the far distant mount
aims and down over the city on the cliff
Just IS the last rays Of light were
fad ng from the sky the curtains Of my
house we're pushed aside and there
stood MaItec, my soldier lover. He
came in and l welcomed him. L had
not spoken with for three days, and was
d0nblv rej0iced 10 see him. And then l
told him If the visit l had received from
YuO, which troubled me greatly. 1t troubled
Martec, too.
u hone" said he, that now he is King
he will forget you and allow US to pursue
our own Way in peace"
"Oh, Marjee, i fear him greatly, now he
has power, and how do we know what he
may do?'
Danish these foolish fears from your
heart" he replied, with smile. s. sup
pose you were at the palace" he added |
told him that / had been there aud seen him
III command Of his men.
" 20 not you think the rites were impoS-
lng?" | asked.
No; To NE it seemed as empty as the
air These rites are to me as nothing"
"Ah, MaTiee, like not to hear you thus
despise tie cerel onies OF our God the Sun"
"Ah my Isole ia, l believe not in these
gods. The sun which these poor people
worship is naught but ball of fret hath no
power. Neither has the God of Night,
which we sometimes see in the heavens
Rain; they are but images of clay, made by
tile pottery-makers, and yet they are afraid
OF what they make themselves"
Then you believe not in the gods?"
Not in those which now | know. But
something tells me there is God, whom yet
we have not found; one who has lived for
countless ages and who will exist forever
Such God | know there must be; one who
made the world. In him l could believe
but in these gods of wood and stone and CLAY
l cannot. This life caunot be all. There
must be something after that which we call
death"
Martec finished speaking and it seemed to
me that his face was beautiful.
Suddenly, as we were thus conversing, the
curtains of my house were roughly pulled
aside and there entered four of the Kings
guards. In they came and their leader,
speaking in a loud voice, said "Martec,
yield. You must 90 with us"
What mean ycu?" said Martec,
THAT you are the dead Kings murderer
and are now my captive"
= For moment Martec stood motionless. as
though the words of the speaker had smOte
his heart, then, drawing himself up, he said:
''Who dares accuse me, Captain P"
mo less person than Yulo, our King"
rPnlip1 the pffip1r
''There must be something not under
Stood
NO; You are the person whom we were
to take, and you must 60 with u.s."
submit" said Martec and then turn
ing to me, who knew not what to think of
this. said; Fear not for my safety, dear
Isoletta. My innocence must proclaim
itself. Farewell, but not for long"
Two Of the soldiers drew back the cur
tains and allowed Martec to pass, and as be
QId so they saluted him, fer they remem
bered his deeds Of vaior, and admired and
respected him. The curtains swung back
into place and l was alone. What conId
this mean? l felt that Matrices DAYS
were numbered. All that long night
l sat by the window. watching the
stars and longing for morning. Yet what
would the morning bring? Would it not be
the last day for my poor Martec? / feared
1t would, remembered Yulo's awful threat,
and was satisfied that he was but carrying
Out /" pidb VI IcieHSc upon MdTl6C.
Slowly the night passed, and finally one
by one the bright stars vanished, and far
away where tie sky sloped down to meet
the earth The rays of the coming sun shone
out Ike a row of spears in the front of a
great army. What relief was the sunrise,
TO me who had spent the night in watching.
Just as the glorious sun dispels the dark
ness l from the earth, so the sunlight of hope
SHINES In upon the darkness of the mind.
Inc nieht was gone; like great dark bird
past % 'i4'
The people of the City Of the Sun were
early astlr that morning, for the tidipps Of
me seizure OF Martec had been spread
abroad, and all were anxious to learn how
II would fare with him. All admired him
Often In battle had he stood out from
an sIn,1ohg ms comrades for his bravery. But
81 this would be as naught against the
Princes wrath. N'--'' 'H'
IL was the law in the City of the Sun that
no one should be put to death without heinz
tried before the priests and wise men.
Scarcely had the sun risen, when from,the
direction OF the palace came the sound of
IrQmDptS. / knpw what III pnrfandad t.