Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-07-19

Peering through the bamboos and seeing
she was not on the rock where she had
been the evening before, he scanned the
river bank to right and left. No signs of
life were visible, and he was about in de-
spair to give up all hopes of ever beholding
the water nymph again, when he heard the
waters at his feet murmur the same music
that had ravished his senses the night be-
fore. Was she approaching, and did the
waters transmit her song? Louder and
louder grew the strains and then, as they
suddenly ceased, he heard again the maiden
singing on the rock.
This time he was not so much astonished
and dumfounded by her beauty and voice.
He had tasted of the sweetness of her
song and was now able to think clearly
and act with promptness and decision.
There was no mode of reaching her, save
by swimming, and, the distance not being
very great to the rock, he boldly plunged
into the water and swan toward the
nymph.
The maiden evidently was not aware of
of his presence; at least she made no sign
other than by singing most joyously:
He is coming to set me free;
Valiant and noble, l know thee,
My lover, Oil It's hel
She finished as he reached the rock, and,
perceiving him, sprang into his arms, say
ing: "Oh, | knew you were coming. l
knew you were near. o my lovel l have
waited so longW And she buried her face
on his shoulder
As Lyng-Lun felt her soft, white arms
around him, and her heaving bosom next
his beating heart, and saw the warm
bushes as she kissed him-causing his
own face to fame-love coursed through
his frame and he was at once madly, blind
ly in love with the fair maiden.
Now he knew, without doubt, where he
had seen and heard her before; it was in
his heart-she was his ideal love.
Eyes, my love-" he murmured, 81 have
come for thee"
One more embrace followed, but it was
suddenly terminated by Sing-Lee-for that
was the maiden's name-drawing from
him and saying; did you bring the mag
ical birds with your Only the notes sung
by them can break these chains; and then,
oh, then / am free Free to 20 with your
1.-THE magical birdsY" asked Lyng-Lun
in surprise; then, understanding that she
was under an enchantment, he moaned,
"Oh, if had only knownp'
"You must catch them; only their song
gan weeping.
Lyng-Lun stood in deep thought for
some moments; then drawing the seven
bamboos from his sleeve, one after the
other, he blew the notes Of the scale
The sky became overcast with dark
clouds, as if the witch who had so wronged
Sing-Lee knew the maiden was about to be
set free; and the moon seemed to dance
with delight at the prospect.
The last note sounded, and Sing-Lee
stood before Lyng-Lun more beautiful
than ever, while the golden chains had
fallen at her feet.
The magical scale had proved efficient.
At this moment large swan glided to
them and said, ''Sing-Lee, my daughter,
you must mount my back with your lover
and will swim with you to the bank"
That reached she said, as she dived out of
sight, ely, now; the witch's power is
great"
They soon left the river many miles be-
hind them, and then Sing-Dee told Lying
Lun the story of her captivity.
Her father was prince, who lived many
leagues to the north, at the sources Of the
Hoang-Ho. Near them also dwelt water
witch and her son, Tsing-Ho, their nearest
neighbors.
Now, Tsing-Ho had fallen desperately in
love with Sing-Lee, and when her mother
refused his offer of marriage she was turned
into a swan and doomed to live as such the
remainder of her life.
Still Tsing-Ho was no nearer the accom-
plishment of his object, for Sng-Lee's ia
Their was well versed in omens and charms,
and was thus able to protect his child from
Using Hos wicked enchantments
These charms her father used success
fully as a safeguard for a long time; but
one day, while not thinking of the danger,
Sing-Lee wandered some distance from the
castle. She was walking along. humming
her favorite song and gathering wild flow
ers for her father when, upon looking up,
she found Using III standing in front of her.
Before she could scream or run away he
had her in his power. Sing-Lee firmly re-
fused TO marry him; and, as her father had
so charmed her life that Tsing-Ho could
not change her from human being, he put
chains ON her hands, and taking her many
miles away from her home placed her on a
roek-where Lyng-Lun had found her-and
then set her free. During the daytime she
was compelled to live under the water in a
palace Of Tsing-Ho's; but he could not
harm her in any way, further than by keep
ing ner captive
The lovers had now proceeded on their
way for four days, when they discovered an
army in pursuit of them.
Surely, Tsing-Ho is after me againr'
cried Sing-Lee, frightened at the thought
of further captivity; and they set off at a
quicker pace. But the army soon overlook
them, when, oh, joyl she recognized the
banners Of her fathers army and soon saw
him at its head.
The handsome Lyng-Lun was hero, and
not to be despised as a son-in-law, so the
father accompanied them to the court Of
Hoang-Ty to intercede for them.
Here Lyng-Lun produced the bamboo
and demonstrated the beauty and truth Of
his musical scale.
The emperor, HoangTy, was so much
pleased with him for this achievement that
he raised him at once to the highest rank
in his gift, and, after hearing of his adven-
ture, said: Now, Lyng-Lun, what do