The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-08

hold of and to squeeze little, If neces-
snry; and SO we set forward to find the
princess.
We went about forty steps and came
10 door, which my guide opened. We
then seemed to be in a sort of long cor
ridor or passage, with low vaulted
stone roof. Some small amount OF
light streamed through the cracks OF
a doorway at the further end, by aid of
which could make these observations.
] suppose could have got along now
without help, but l still kept hold OF
the hand, and perhaps pressed a little
tighter. l could also note AN answer
lug pressure now and then.
We ascended four or five steps TO
reach this further door. and, on opening
il, we found ourselves in large cham
Der. This apartment had several win
dows, but the dusk had come, so that
the l'.ht was still imperfect. could
now, however, note the appearance OF
my companion. She was a pretty girl
of about eighteen or nineteen years OF
age, with trim form, long braids of
blonde hair and retrousse nose. She
snatched her hand away from me and
went on ahead through another door,
casting back at me. as she went, look
of pertness and coquetry.
The next room we entered was
lighted by candelabra, as, in fact, were
all of the further apartments through
which she took me; aud so we went on,
up and down stairways, through corri-
dors aad suites OF apartments, and large
salons, till i thought there was no end
to il; and all this timc had not seen
soul beside the girl with the turned up
nose. AS we proceeded, the furnishings
and decorations became more elegant.
One large salon was hung around with
dingy life sized portraits of bewigged
and powdered old dignitaries and SOL
diers; another seemed ghostly and fear
some with suits OF armor and old spears
and swords and blunderbusses and ban
ners.
At last we entered suit Of chambers
in which the belongings seemed more
tasteful and more feminine. Here"
said to myself, 'is where meet the
princess" and / was not mistaken.
The apartment into which / now fol-
lowed Melanie, for TINT was the girls
name, as l afterwards discovered. was
small and cosy; IL was hung and fur
nished in soft blue and garnet, and wns
sbsolutcly full of exquisite pictures and
ornaments and objects OF luxury. In
the center of the room was small table
with cover laid upon IL for two. with
linen of dazzling whiteness, and n pro-
fusion OF silver utensils of quaint ard
antique pattern.
Melanie motioned me TO wait where
was. and going 70 n small archway
which communicated with another
chamber. said. in a respectful tone, 20
somc one there;
"Ile is here. your highness.-
had removed my cloak and made
quite a proscntnble appearance In the
blouse end lenickerbockers OF my bi.
cycle costume. II was picturesque, ~
not conventional. In a moment OF two
there sounded tAo rustling Of silk and
OF dainty lingerie, and lady OF great
beauty stood before ms.
she was young. not over twenty years
Of age M most and she was rather tall.
ard her figure, though somewhat slen-
der. was graceful and rounded in It's
outlines. In striking contrast were the
way masses Of her dark brown hair.
che limPid gray OF her eyes and the soft
wkitfncss Of her skin. Her face was
esal, her features small and perfect.
ele was in evening dress and her arlnA