The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-03
CHAPTER VI

y
ically, his eyes lingering on Thorndyke.
lyon look as if you take life easily.
You have joyial countenance, a" he said
cordially.
ThorEdylze retained his smile and at
once felt a; case.
"There is no use in taking it any 9TH
er way" be said at doesn't amount
10 much at best A"
You are wrong, returned the king,
playing with the jewels on his robe.
THAT is because you have been reared
as You have-in your unsystematic
world Here we make life serious
study. 1t is cur object TO assist nature
IN al things, The efforts Of your people
amount TO nothing because they are not
carried far enough. Your scientists are
dreaming idiots. They are continually
cropping after the ideal and doing moth
ing with the positive. 1t was for us to
carry out everything to perfection.
Show me where we can make a single
improvement, and you shall become a
prince.
IF my life expended on that, my
head would be off this instant" was
the quick witted reply of the English
man.
This so pleased the king that he
laughed till be shook. "Well said" he
smiled. $50 you like our country?''
" Absolutely charmed. My friend
| CThorndyke was determined to bring his
companion into favor, if possible) and j
have been in rapturcs ever since we rose
this morning"
a flush Of pleasure crossed the face Of
the king. "You have not seen half of
our wonders yet. | confess that | am
| pleased with you, sir. The majority of
people who are brought here are so
frightened that they grow morbid and
| DESTROYS TO return to their own countries
as soon as they learn that such "a thing
is out Of the question.
! Thorndyke's stout heart suffered
| sudden pang at the words. but he did not
! change countenance in the slightest, for
! the king was closely watching the effect
Of his announcement.
"Of course" went on the ruler,
} gratified by the indifference of the Eng
| lishman, "of course it could not be done.
No one outside of few Of the royal
J family and our trusted agents has ever
| left us. -
Il can't see how any one could be so
unappreciative as to want to CO." an
swered Tborndyke, with coolness that
! surprised even Johnston. II have trav-
| eled in all countries under the sun-the
| sun was born under-and got so bored
| with them that my friend and myself
took to ballooning for diversions, but
here there is a delightful surprise at ev-
cry turn"
II WIS told you were aeronauts," re-
| turned the ruler, deigning to cast a
| glance at the silent Johnston, who stood
| with eyes downcast, land l confess that
it interested me in you.
AT that juncture a most beautiful girl
| glided through the curtains at the back
| of the throne and came impulsively to-
ward the king. Her brown hair fell in
| rich masses on her bare shoulders. Her
! eyes were large, deep and brown, and
| her skin was exquisitely fine III texture
( and color Her dress was artistic and
well suited to her 1.-the figure. She held
| an instrument resembling a lutte in her
hands and stopped suddenly when she
noticed that the king was engaged
1T is my daughter, the Princess Ber-
| nardino," explained the king as he
| heard her light step and turned toward
her. She shall sing for you, and--yes
| (nodding to herr, you shall dance also.
AS she took her position on great
! rug in front Of the throne she kept her
| eyes on the handsome Englishman as if
fascinated by his appearance. Them
dykes heart beat quickly. The blood
mantled his face, and he stocd en-
tranced as she touched the resonant
strings with her white fingers and be-
gan to play and sing. An innocent, art
less smile parted her lips from her
matchless teeth, and her face glowed
with inspiration. Far above in the
hooks and crannies of the vast dome,
with its divergent corridors and ar
| cades, the faint echoes of her voice
seemed to reply to her during the
| pauses in her song. Then she ceased
singing, and to the faraway and yet
distinct accompaniment of some stringed
| instrument in the orchestra she began
to dance Holding her instrument in a
| graceful fashion against her shoulder as
one holds violin and with her flowing
white gown caught in the other hand,
she bowed and smiled and instantly
seemed transformed. From the statu-
esque and dreamy singer she became
marvel of graceful motion. To and fro
she swept from end to end of the great
rug, her tiny feet and slim ankles trip
ping SO lightly that she seemed to move
without support through the air.
Thorndyke stood as If spellbound, for
at every turn, as If seeking his approx
al she glanced at him inquiringly.
When she finished, she stood for mo-
ment in the center of the rug painting,
her beautiful bosom. beneath its filmy
covering of lace, gently rising and fall.
! ing. Then, asking her fathers consent