The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-05-17
TAE WITCHS CITADEL.
By CARMEN SYLVIA Queen Of Rou-
mania).
copyright, 1896, by the Author.l

ION, how much should like to ride
ON your beautiful boastl 1t is the first
horse that l have ever seen. May l
touch it?''
"Why should you not? You may
caress it also and then mount with me,
and we will gallop about as long as you
please"
So, bidding her place her foot upon
his boot and taking both her pretty
hands within his own, he drew her
quickly up to the saddle bow, passed his
arm around her slender waist, spurred
his fiery steed, and they started off at
gentle canter. He thought she might
perhaps be afraid, but the mountain
child, unconscious of danger, felt no
fear.
As soon as the way grew less perilous
the prince gave rein to his horse, and
they galloped along beneath shady trees
and across flowery meadows for many
miles.
Alba screamed with delight, clapped
her hands and cried out:
Faster, still faster, pleaser'
Going at this headlong speed soon
brought them to the vicinity of the city,
which had to be traversed before reach
ing the royal palace, and which was
situated at the other extremity on the
summit of hill. On seeing these streets
and houses Alba became uneasy and ask
| ed
care those men which I see there?
| Does not the wind blow down those
small houses?"
"No, dear" replied Prince Porfia.
violence as it does on thy mountain
home" Then he called out:
"See, my people, bring you your
future queen, a marvellous flower which
/ have plucked from the side of rock. "
but / am not queen" cried out
Alba, alarmed.
LAS am the kings son, and as thou
art my promised bride, thou wilt be my
queen, answered the prince
"What sayst thou? Thy bride But
my mother has always said that l should
never be permitted to marry.
"She said that knowing that none 9th
or than was destined to possess thee. -
"But art thou not wicked man,
them"
mo, dear, am not so very wicked. "
"But my mother told me that all
men were dreadfully wicked, and that
must on no account have any inter
course with them. "
"Who, then, is thy mother?'
"I know not who she is. l only know
that she spins golden thread continu
ally.
"She spins thread of gold! For wha
purpose, then?''
"For brides to wear on their weddin!
day, but l will have no gold thread n
my marriage, added Alba and quickl,
raised her hand to her head as if t,
ward off the pernicicus contact.
Thou must wear the beteela whei
we are married." replied the prince
otherwise the whole country would b
scandalized. Come, dear, this is III,
home, so let us enter, and will presen
thee to the queen, my mother, to whom
beg of thee to comport thyself gently.
is she old and ugly, them"
mo, she is beautiful, and as prou'
as she is beautiful. "
Proud! What is the meaning of that?'
asked Alba. Porfia looked with aston
, ishment into her innocent eyes. The.
were as clear and pure as the sunlight
He clasped the maiden to his breast, ant
throwing the bride to "a lackey alight
ed from his steed and lifted down he
slender form with great tenderness ant
- gave her his hand to lead her up tn
steps to the palace. Soon they entered
spacious hail. where was seated tall
majestic lady, surrounded by bevy 0
fresh young girls, who were all of then
occupied in spinning yellow silk.
y At the sight of the handsome pal
, upon whom the glorious rays of the set
i ting sun fell in deepest splendor as the.
crossed the portal the work was sus
pended, and the young girls drew nea
and gazed in delighted wonder.
Permit me to salute thee, thou mar
velously beautiful queen, exclaimed
Alba, falling at the queens feet, VIII
Immediately raised her up and tender
ly embraced her.
81 see that thou spinnest also, Blu
thy work is infinitely finer than that o
my mothers. Thine is fine and delicat
as snowtlakes or the petals of mountain
flowers"
"Tell me, fair child, what does tn
: mother spin?"
"Alasl nothing but gold, aud it is s
hard and so ugly"
Gold, they repeated, with incred
ulous smiles. "Canst thou also spi
gold?"
"Oh, yes, l can spin gold, but dar
not.
And why not? Pray tell us. -
She opened her lips to relate wha
her mother did and sang during he
spinning, but was seized with unac
countable hesitation at the fear of tn
unfavorable opinion these young girl
= would form of her could they but sus
Z. pect one-half of the misfortunes inter
(, woven by her mother in the colder
st wells of the future brides.
= These wicked beings against whom
% her mother had charged her to be s.
much on her guard seemed a thousan,
II times more amiable and pleasant thai
l. that gloomy mother of whom even tn
is gnomes stood in fear An exclamation
from one of the maidens relieved he
from this dilemma.
, why, her dress is of velvet, rea
|, white velvet, said one of the girls.
"Who gave thee thy jewels?" salt
|, another.
It MY friends, replied Alba. "Do 70,
s. wish for any such? l have quantities o
n such toys as these at my home " anc
unclasping the necklace of emerald
sne oHereu one OF the precious stones u
each of the Young girls. She would hay,
i, given the pearls away also had not tn,
queen prevented any further acts of gen
erosity.
'Thy friends must be fabulousl,