The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-13

nav 4 Grsat body Of meu, women and
ohildren In varicolored suits bathing in
q pool Of rose coiored, pcrfumsd water.
He was passing en- when woman,
closely yelled and simply dressed,
touched his arm.
''Be watchful and follow me, she
said in = low, guarded tone.
The heart Of the Englishman bounded
and his blood rushed to his face, for the
speaker was the Princess Bernardino.
She did mot pause, but glided on into
the shade Of great palm tree, and be-
hind o row Of thick growing ferns Of
great height and thickness she waited
for him.
She lowered her veil as he approach
ed and looked at him from her deep
brown eyes in great concern. He stood
spellbound under the witchery Of her
beauty.
II came to warn you, prince" she
said, and her soft musical voice set ev-
cry nerve in Thorndyke's body to tin
Cling with delight. my father has ban
ished tho faithful slave that you love,
but you must not show the anger that
you feel, else he will kill you. You
must be exceedingly cautious If you
would save him. My father would pun
ish me severely if he knew that had
sought you in this way. Twas Obliged
to come in disguise. This dress belongs
to my most trusted maid. ("
"And you came for my sake3" blurted
out the Englishman, much embarrassed.
II am not worthy Of such a high honor. "
She smiled, and tears rose in her
eyes.
"Oh, prince, don't speak to me sol
You are far above me- I am weak. I
know nothing. I never cared for other
men than the king and my brothers till
/ saw you today, but now I would will
ingly be your slave"
~ am yours forever and humble
one," bowed the courteous Englishman.
"The moment saw you at the throne
Of your father my heart went out to
you. You wound it up in your music
and trampled it under your dancing
feet. have been over the whole world.
and you are the loveliest creature in it.
1t is because I saw you, because you are
here, that do not want to leave your
country. They may do as they will with
me if they only will let me see you how
and then"
The princess was deeply moved. The
blood rushed to her face and beautifled
it. Her eyes fell beneath bis admiring
glance. Thorndyko could not restrain
himself. He caught her slender hand
and pressed it passionately to his lips,
and she made only slight effort to pre-
vent It.
II am your obedient slave What
shall do?" he asked.
"Do not try to rescue him now," she
said softly. II shall come to you again
when we are not watched. You can
know me by this dress. There is no
need for great haste. He could live in
the Barrens several days. ! shall try to
think Of some way to save him, though
such thing has never been done
never"
Footsteps were heard on the other
ide Of the row Of ferns. A man was
passing, and others soon followed him.
The bathers were leaving the great pool.
II must leave you now" she whis-
pered 1T the king honors you again
by talking of his kingdom, continue to
act as you did. Your fearlessness and
good humor have pleased him greatly
could I not persuade him to bring
Johnston backf'
"No; that would be impossible. Those
who are pronounced physically unfit are
obliged to die. It has been law for q
long time. You must not count on that.
I have, however, another plan, but
cannot tell you Of 1t now, for they may
miss me and wonder where ! am, and
then, too. my father may be looking for
you. He will naturally desire to see you
soon again.
Bowling, she turned away and passed
on toward the apartments Of the king,
which the Englishman now recognized
in the distance. Thorndyke went into
the bathing room to watch those re-
naming In the great pool Of rose color
ed water. The sight was beautiful The
waves which Tapped against the shelly
ing shores Of white marble were pink
and white, and the deeper water was
as red as coral.
The Englishman was at once troubled
over the fate Of Johnston and elated
over having vou Rernardinn's regard
Thoughtfully he strolled away from the
bathers into great picture gallery.
Here hung on the walls and stood on
pedestals some Of the rarest works Of
art he had ever seen. He passed through |
this room and was entering shady re- |
treat where plants, flowers and UNI.
brageous trees grew thickly, when he
heard step behind him and the rug
Ting Of silken skirt against the plants.