The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-09
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{ The WIICH'S CASTLE. 3
& By cArneu syivs Qress Rousaaia. -
Observation-Disclosures

which was clasped at the waist by a
golden zfrdie, she hung a green velvet
mantle. caught up at each shoulder with
strings Of pearls. Round her snowy threat
CLEANED an emerald necklace. each stone
the size Of pigeons egg a gift from the
little gnomes: and an she fastened IL she
hooked In the glass. but she could not see
how her golden hair shimmered and glis-
tened as IL spread over the green velvet
mantle No. either she could not see prop
criy or her glass spoke falsely. for, hiding
her face In her hands. she cried: Alas.
alas: how ugly I am, On. how ugly. No
doubt IL In for this reason that my mother
hides me from all the world. and gives
me beautiful clothes end Jewels fit for a
queen. to make me forget how ugly am"
At this moment the sound of horses
hoof on the rocks beneath rang clearly
through the air and with terror-struck
eyes the girl beheld approaching the
youth whose life was 10 be sacrificed IL
he ventured near the castle again. He
must be warned at any price ere IL was
too late Like a frightened deer she few
down the mountain side. with mantle
flowing and streaming hair. which seemed
TO catch the sunbeams as she ran.
The young king saw her flying down the
rocks. her feet seemed scarcely 20 touch
the ground. and he refined in his horse.
lost In silent wonderment. What princeiy
maid was thls2 What mountain fairy
flying thus toward him? And az she came
nearer. wildly waving both her arms. she
cried breathlessly: Back, back. Come
not one step nearer! II viii be your
DEATH
s.And ~ IL were my death.. he cried. $50
would ! joyfuliy die. my eyes having he
held the most beautiful maiden on
earth"
Alba paused before him. A slight color
suffused her cheeks, al with wide-ope ued
eyes she Questioned: Am beautiful"
Yes: more than beautiful. SO perfect.
20 lovely. with that golden hair and those
lustrons eyes that from this moment. fair
maid. i love you to all eternity. and will
gladly lay down my life for YOU"
And /, too, love YOU" replied Alba, In
nocently. not knowing that In the world
one must not always say To others all one
thinks. But. o, do not call my hair
golden. for gold Is so ugly
Ugly" cried Porfirie. -'It Is the first
time / have ever heard II called so. Have
you. then. seen so much of 1t that you
find IL ugly?"
"Oh. yes; see nothing but gold at
home. Instead of green trees only gold;
instead OF flowers, gold: instead of peo-
pie. gold; nothing but gold. oh. such
heaps and heaps," and she spread out
her arms. turning round In a circle. 'Oh.
beautiful animal. l have never seen u
horse before: may / touch it2'
"Yes, yes: touch him and stroke him.
and then mount up beside me. and you
shall ride as long rs you Ike"
So saying he bade her place her foot
on his. and grasping both her hands In
his. he drew her up on the saddle In front
of him, placing his arm around her. He
thought she would be frightened when
the horse moved: but no. In her utter
innocence she knew no fear. As soon as
the ground permitted he spurred on his
horse and away they new. beneath the
shadow OF the trees and over the howery
meadows.
Alba clapped her hands. joyfully ex-
claiming: sFasteri still faster." Thus
they approached the town through which
they had to pass ere reaching the pail
ace Then as they rode slowly through
the streets a sudden fear took possession
of her.
Are all these human beings?" she ask
ed. pointing 10 the people. "And does not
the wind blow down those little houses2''
No" laughingly replied Porfirie; for
here the wind does not blow so fiercely as
up In the mountains" Then turning to
the crowds he cried: s.See. my people.
Here / bring you your queen. This Is a
wonderful blossom that ] have gathered
from the mountains"
but am no queen, Sstia Aipds sumo"
what terrified.
II am a king. and as you will be my
wife you will become a queen"
''Your wife, Why, my mother said
was never 10 wed any man."
'.She only said that because she knew
that you must belong to me alone
Then you are not wicked and cruel?a
mo. indeed I am not
Then you cannot be a human Great
a 30
Nay, but indeed am" laughed Por-
FIRE.
But my mother says that all men arc
bad. and that I must never have anything
to do with them"
who is your mother" he questioned.
81 do not know. l only know she lives
up there in the castle on the mountain
and spins gold" she replied.
'.Spins gold for what purpose?"
For the brides wells: but will have no
gold at my wedding" added Alba quickly.
placing both hands on her head as IL to
ward off evil.
IL fear that can hardly be. sweet one, "
said porfrfe. ..You know II "a the custom.
and all the people would think II strange
and wrong. But never fear, dear one. no
harm shall come near you. Here we are
at home.' he continued. as they entered
the courtyard. land now be friendly with
my mother"
SIS she old and uglys"
mo, no, She Is beautiful and proud
''what h proud?" asked Alba.
Purdrie gazed into her eyes-tbey were
clear and pure as the sunshine. He pressed
the maiden 10 his heart: then throwing
the reins to a servan. he sprang 10 the
ground and tcnderiy lifting Alba from
the saddle took her hand and led her
mp the broad flight Of stone steps.
They entered large hall where sat
tail and stately lady surrounded by macy
maidens spinning lovely yellow silk All
rose from their work and greed with joy
fui surprise at tho beautiful couple In the
doorway. bsthed in the glow OF the set
ting sun.
..ffsre, mother" cried Pordrie. us your
dear daughter and my own sweet bride.
/ have brought her down from the near
neIshborhood 81 the clouds. Indeed. l
am not sure yet that she Is not an In
habltant OF the heavenly regions. and
may az any moment spread her wings
and Az away from U.S.
30. beautiful lady cried Alba. sink
ing down at the feet OF the Queen. who
Sraciously raised her. pressing a kiss up
on her brow. and you, too. spin like my
mother. only what YOU spin is much more
beautiful and delicate, like snowfakes and
ieafy blossoms"
What. then. does your mother spin7''
asked the queen.
20. always that hard. ugly goldi''
Gold. rose IKE a cry all around the
circle. Many laughed and did not believe.
'Can you. too, spin goid,' they asked.
81 can. bat I must not
.sNusf not Why
Alba opened her lipS 10 tell the words
her mother muttered while spinning. but
suddenly n strange fear took possession of
her. and she felt how angrily they would
all look AZ her Il they heard OF the evils
and miSfoTtmneS that were spun into their
hrfsaf wells And vet with IL all these