The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-02
PRINCESS ISOLETTA.
. Tale of Il Lost Race.
BY PORTER EDMINsTER.

papels, was obliged by his ill-health to take
a vacation, and in the course of his travels
visited New Mexico.
While there he met a profe ssor from one
of the Scotch universities, Donald McGregor
by name, who was making trip through
that country hoping to find some trace Of the
history of the long-forgutten cliff-dwellers.
1t was in company with this gentleman
that he explored many cliff dwellings and
was fortunate enough through the assistance
of an Indian guide to happen upon one very
large city which must have contained many
hundred inhabitants.
LII one of the largest houses they found an
idol, made of pottery. from whose mouth pro-
truded what at first they thought was a.
tongue, but which investigation showed to
be piece of CLOTH
This proved 10 be quite large and was
covered with characters, and in it the de-
lighted Professor at once recognized a
prize.
As he was a learned antiquarian he was
able, after some months OF patient study, to
decipher the characters, and found therein
the following remarkable story:
The History Of ndrtec and LsoEetta: Being
liberal translation Of The characters upon u piece
OF cloth found in II cliff dwelling, by Professor
Donald McGregOr and MIR. Edward Clarke
CHAPTER l.
I, ISoletta, of the great tribe OF the Sun,
standing upon the brink Of that great gulf
which separates the here from the hereafter,
writes this that history of her life and that
of her beloved MaItec may be preserved.
and that the men who come after may know
why the great City of the Sun was aban-
doned. Written in the year Three Rabbits
and -Four Moons.
i am the daughter Of a once mighty
chief named lister, who died when was
very young. My mother had gone before
him to the land of the sun aud l was left
alone.
l was adopted by one of my fathers off,
GERS after MS death. AS soon as my father
was dead his head officer seized upon the
throne, otherwise l would have been Queen.
The city over which my father was King
is here upon the face of the cliff and there
are many people therein.
l grew up until | reached the age of eight
circles GO years. and at that time the sad
story of my life begins. L had left my
adopted parents and was living in small
house alone. One evening | was watching
from my window our glorious god, the sun,
sinking to his nightly rest in the land back
before !, too. would join my parents,
who l then believed were inside the sun.
when heard some one at my door. | said
enter, and, to my surprise, found that my
visitor was no other than Yulo, son of Ras-
tic, who had usurped my throne. | was
much astounded when l discovered who il
was. He wore a long cloak over his dress
Of skins, and until he had removed it | did
not recognize him.
He drew the curtains which formed the
n o. no., f1.as
could see who was within. "Isoletta," said
he, Il have come into your presence un-
hidden. Pray pardon me for it."
lie spoke much more civilly than | had
ever heard him before. | told him that it
WAS not my place to pardon a Prince.
Call me not Prince" he said. ] was at n
loss to account for his strange conduct. but
at last he explained: "Fairest isoletta. /
have come here secretly ana no one in The
palace knows whittier | have gone But |
must come and tell you of that which for
many months have in vain been endeavor-
ing to Danish from my mind. You are the
rlghtful Princess, who even now should be
upon the throne, but whom my father has
cast from il, and now to make amends for
this injustice l offer you my hand in mar
rage"
l started, and could scarcely credit what T
heard. | could not believe that | should
be singled out from all the women of the
great city to be- the wife of Prince. MANY
would have been pleased at the honor, hut
saw in that one moments space of time that
was upon dangerous ground which might
at any moment swallow me up For did
not love the Prince, and was petrothed to
Martec, who was the son of one of nv
fathers Generals, and who is now in CON.
mand OF the Kings Guards.
The Prince gaZed at me for a few moments
and then asked: Art not thou pleased at
that which | have confessed to thee ?''
" Oh. be not dis leased, | replied. "but
hesitate, thinking what the King, your
father, may say"
Piled with sinister look, land then 7 shaII
be able to suit myself. Is it not enough that
l love you?" The glow of the setti5g snn
fell full upon his face and as l gazed lnon
it shuddered.
" You shudder as 1 speak," he said "bnt
let me warn you. If there is some other one
In my path l. with my own hands. viii hurl
him from the Cliff or will have him tried and
executed by my fathers soldiers ''N
uttered half-suppressed cry as he said
this. he sprnng to his feet and exclaimed:
Quick! Give me your answerl"
summoned up all my courage and said.
Forgive me, 0 Prince. but | can never be
your WIFE," He staggered back like one
pierced with an arrow aud at last said:
Love you another?"
Yes" He started toward the DIOR ond
as he reached it said: "Remember 10
letta, know the man whom Won love Lot
me tell you this: you shall never be his. To.
morrow may bring changes for us ali. Love
me or perish, both of YOU" And he was
gone. ""'
And now, shall / set down what befeIl
ulo after he left my house on thlt fatal
night. which, though l did not myself see
yet yet saw 1t through the eyes of another
Then all was dark and 1 knew not what Ia
make OF 1t, but now all is to me clear. and
10 complete the history and in order TO
make known what afterward tronsniraa +
write, pieu
Wrapped in his cloak Yulo passed along
the street. Through the doors of the honses