Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-07-01


turn they were greeted with new
wonder. The captain now led them
round narrow balcony OH the inside
of the vast dome, and, looking over the
railing down below, they saw vast
tesscllated pavement made of polished
stones of various and brilliant colors
and SO artistically arranged that from
where they stood lifelike pictures of
landscapes seemed to rise to meet the
vision wherever the eye rested. Statues
of white marble, gold and bronze were
placed here and there, and III squares Of
living green fountains threw up streams
of crystal water. Tradmos paused for
them to look down and smiled at their
evident admiration.
'How far is it down there?" Thorn
dyke ventured to ask.
"Over / 900 feet" replied Tradmos.
'Look across opposite and you will see
that there are so floors beneath us, and
each floor has a balcony like this over
looking the court
"What is the sound that comes up
from below?" asked the Englishman.
ut is the voices of the people and
their footsteps Oh the stone.
"What people?"
"Don't you see them? Your eyes are
dazzled by the light. I ought to have
warned you against looking up into the
dome. The people arc down there. Do
the views in the pavement not look d
little blurred2"
Eyes"
ttIUo1 xor ,r;11 1ooj- o~n o1oeo1,S
you will see that it is a multitude of
people"
"Great heavens!" exclaimed the Eng
lishman, and he became deeply absorb.
ed in the contemplation Of the rarest
sight he had ever seen. AS he looked
closely he noticed black spot growing
larger and nearer, and he glanced in-
quiringly at the captain.
''It is an elevator. There are great
many Of them used in the palace, but
mono has happened to rise as high as
this since we came. The one you see is
coming for u.s.. The next moment the
strange vehicle was floating toward
them. The captain opened the door and
preceded the captives into the interior.
1.-THE royal audience chamber" he
said carelessly to the driver behind the
glass of the adjoining compartment, and
down they foated as lightly as bub-
ble-down past balcony after balcony,
laden with moving throngs, until they
alighted in great conservatory.
Near them was a tall fountain, the
water Of which was playing weird mu-
sic on great bells of glass, some OF
which hung in the fountains stream,
and others rose and fell, giving forth
strange, submerged tones i'll the foam
ing basin.
ut is new invention recently placed
here by the kings son, who is musioal
genius, " explained Tradmos. "You will
be astonished at some Of his inventions.
He led them, as if to avoid the great
crowds that they could now hear on all
sides, down long vista of palms, the
branches of which met over their heads,
to the wide door of the audience cham
ber. A party of men dressed i'll uniforms
of white silk with gold and silver orna-
ments bowed before the captain and
made way for him.
The captives now found themselves in
the most splendid and spacious room
they had ever seen, at the far end OF
which was long dais and on it an
elaborate throne.
81 shall be obliged to leave you when
tho king comes,' said Tradmos to
Thorndyke, "but I shall hope to see you
again. Don't forget my name and rank,
for may send you message some time
that may aid you. "
"Thank you," replied the English.
man, and then as a throng Of beautiful
young women came from room on the
side and gathered about the throne he
added inquisitively, "Who are thcy?"
1.-THE wives and daughters of the king
and the wives Of the princes was tho
cautious answer, "but don't look at any
one of them closely"
II don't see how fellow can help 1t;
they are ravishingly beautiful, don't
you think SO, Johnson"
Don't be fool" snapped the
American. Don't you know enough to
hold your topguef"
TraGmos smiled as if amused, and
when he lad shown them to seats near
the great golden throne he said
Stay where you are till the king
sends for you, and then go and kneel be-
fore the throne. Do not rise till he bids
you"
The captives thanked him, and the
captain turned away. The eyes of all
the royal party now rested ON the
strangers, and it was hard for them to
appear unconscious Of it. A great crowd
was slowly filling the room, and All or
chestra in balcony on the left of the
dais began to make delightful music ON
instruments the strangers had never be-
fore seen After all entrancing prelude
a sound of singing was heard, and far
up in grand dome, lighted like the
one tho captives had just admired over
the central court of the place, they saw
bevy of maidens, robed i'll white,
moving about in midair, apparently un.
supported by anything.
"How on earth is that done?" asked
Thorndyke.
"I don't know" returned Johnston,
speaking more freely now that the cap
tain had gone II am not surprised at
anything"
''Their voices are exquisite, and that
orchestral Boston symphony concert
couldn't be compared to it. "
"There goes the sunlight again,
cried Johnston. "By Jove, it is blue"
fro DE CONTINUED. -,