Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-01-25

From out of the shadow from all
directions, countless large .rose-colored
lilies came floating, each bearing
towards the throne lovely fairy. 1t
was from these lilies the lovely music
1oated, for each fairy sat singing as she
combed her long golden hair. Never
had Zdndilli seen such beautiful
forms. More delicate-looking weer
they than the soft wind-fowers that
crown the precipices; more beautiful
than the crimson orchids. Their hair
thaf spread tehind them was not less
brilliant than tee fiery tail of the great
star which comes TO warn the black
man Of approaching drought and
famine; and it CLEANED against their
snowy breasts as does the golden tongue
OF the arum. Their forms were
as graceful as that of the slender ante
lope; their arms were whittier than the
spray which tips the waves. Their
brOws wers crowned with white star
blossoms, and their voices excelled
anything Il N iilli had ever heard. The
lly-boats loated from all sides, and
seemed to be gu ded by some unseen
power As they touched the golden
steps the fays stepped from the pink
petals. and shaking their golden hair
around their 3 ouldCrI as a mantle,
they Joined the throngs Of others as
falr as themselves around the throne.
All this Zandilli gaZed upon with
eyes large with wonder. Only who 1t
was that sat upon the throne he could
not see, for brilliancy of flashing
light el thed the Occupant as In vel.
The empty boats dotted the lake, as do
the blue wstar-lilies the quiet reaches
OF the rivers, floating lazily backwards
al d forwards.
Suddenly the music ceased-his
presence seemed tc have become known
to tn s strange people. There was
u,uch whispering among the throngs
upon the Steps OF the throne. Then a
troad Pathway was opened among
them, and Reing clotbe1 in light
stepped fIom the throne 10 the waters
edge. and silvery voice sroke:-
Mort i you are not unexpected.
You are ZaDdilli, the hcrdsman. Your
qlest is n,t unknown to us. You
seek royal spear, and dare to aspire
TO win royal bride. The moon has
risen five times since you vaDquished
tie three princes In throwing the spear.
When she shall have shone yet twice
upon land and sea your bride, unless
YOU save her, Will have wed another.
Yet, have no fear, brave Zandlli, the
royal spear is within your reach F."
The sIlvery tones ceased, and ZandIlli
fell Upon his face, and sald:-
"Oll great Beinol whose light is as
the suns, whose wisdom Is greater
than tina; of our wi.ch-doctors, help
your servant to hnd that spear which
you say is within his reachl'
A strange shaped canoe Of gold shot
from the steps of the throne and rested
at Z lndillI's feet. He entered 1t fear
Ii ssiy, ard as quick as light he was
carried across to the golden steps. The
dazzling Being whC stood there reached
a hInl tn him as he stepped from tie
canoe. He raised his ewes, and saw
before him a woman lovely as the
morning. Countless rays of light
streamed from a girdle and breast
plate Of diamonds, and from the flow
ing robes of silver tissue that clothed
her, leaving only the lily-white arms
and thro t bare. Her golden hair fell
to her feet, and was crowned with
wreath of star-llowers.
welcome to the land of the Noon
Falriesl" she cried, as she took his
rand and led him TO seat beside her.
self upon the throne. The crowd upon
the steps bowel humbly before them as
they passed through its midst.
Then ZandIlli spoke: "Obl great
QueeDi winter than the wind-cIOuds,
faIrer than the dawn, tell your servant
how best he can serve you and win the
speaIln
She bent her eyes. blue as the lake,
upon lin, and said: "Would that l
could say 1t Is yours now-yours to
take awav; but there Is an ancient law
us that forbids even tile Queen
t. take from our treasuretrove any
thing.
"And this golden spear of Royalty,
which fell at the mouth of this cavern,
has been given a place among our
treasures.
1T was prophesied In years remote,
that Mortal would come amongst US
in quest of weapon that would give
the pOssessor great joy. When he
should appear two tasks were to be set
him. Ii he peri Jrmed them the object
OF his search should be given him.
You, Ztndilli, the herdsman, are that
Mortal, for do you not seek a spear
that VIII give you a lovely bride?
We will del berate upOl the tasks
TO be set you. Meanwhile, you will be
shown the leauties of our home by my
maidens."
With these words the Queen rose
and descended 10 a lily-bOat, which bore
her quickly away. Now three of the
af ha fatr at 7,
into the golden canOe-wonder
after wonder unfolded itself to his as
gaze. ALI was glitter and
light. But there was one dark cavern,
whose walls were lustreless and black
As night. Yet Zandilli was impatien
% win the spear, especially as the
} cen had spoken of another who was
o win the Princess l. la ere two
moons had risen.
He therefore begged to he taken back
= the Queen, who sat upon her throne.
She greeted him with smile, and laid
Ter lily-white hand upon hls bronze
I'm. "We have decided," she said,
upon your first task. Ny councillors
lave made it no easy one. You havo
cen the black chamber? 1t is the one
u u, on our home. lf you can make |
{ aS beautiful as each of the others,
lalf your task will be fulfillel. Before |
he moon has risen again this must be !
,erfoTm d, or death Will be your DOOM"
Z IndIlli was taken to the black |
and there he was left alone |
T. the golden canoe, with despair IN !
lis n art, for he bad no means of beau |
flying those hideou5 walls. He |
hought Of the foam fiecked sea, which
II should never see again, of the shy |
GaIlen who was to have been his bride.
Ie thought of he flowers, the birds,
he butterflies. At the thought that /
hen came he laughed. The butterfly
70 had save , Could its help bs OF use
o hIni? It seemed hopeless.
indilli styled, and, overcome by
aligue, laid himself down to sleep.
The butterfly heard ITS saviour's