The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-12


MT is new invention recently placed
here by the kings son, who is musical
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
Der. A party Of men dressed in 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.
II shall be obliged to leave you when
the king comes" said Tradmos to
Thorndyke, "but shall hope to see you
again. Don't forget my name and rank,
for Imay send you message some time
that may aid you"
"Thank you," replied the English
man, and then as throng Of beautiful
young women came from a room on the
side and gathered about the throne he
added inquisitively, "Who are they?"
"Tho wives and daughters Of the king
and the wives Of the princes, was the
cautious answer, "but don't look at any
nn, 80 xbo,,, o11roIxy -
II don't see how fellow can help 1t;
they are ravishingly beautiful, don't
you think so, Johnson"
Don't be a fool" snapped the
American. Don't you know enough to
hold your tongue?"
Tradmos smiled as If amused, and
when he had shown them to seats near
the great golden throne be 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 al or
cbestra in balcony on the left of the
dais began to make delightful music on
instruments the strangers had never be-
fore seen. After an enhancing prelude
q sound of singing was heard, and far
up in grand dome, lighted like the
one the captives had just admired over
the central court Of the place, they saw
hevy of maidens, robed in white,
moving about in midair. apparently I'M
supported by anything.
"How OH earth is that done?" asked
Thorndyke.
II 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"
The transition was sublime. They
seemed transported to some other scene.
Tho great multitude, the elegantly
dressed attendants about the throne, the
ccurtiers, the beautiful women, all
seemed to change in appearance. On the
view through the wide doors leading to
the conservatory and the great swarm
ing court beyond the soft blue light fell
like filmy veil Of enchantment.
Wonderfully exclaimed the Ameri-
can.
ut is ahead Of our clocks anyway"
TESTED Thorndyke. ANY child that can
count on its fingers could tell that this
is the fifth hour Of the day
The music grew louder. There was a
harmonious blare Of mighty trumpets,
the clang Of gongs and cymbals, and
then the music softened until it could
scarcely be heard. There was commo-
ton about the throne.
The king was coming. Every person
on the dais stood motionless, expectant.
A page drew aside the rich curtain from
a door on the right, and an old man,
wearing robe Of scarlet ornamented
with jewels and crown set with spar
king gems, entered and seated himself
on the throne. The music sank lower.
So soft did it become that the tinkling
bells of the great fountain outside could
be heard throughout tho room.
The king bowed to the throng on the
dais and spoke few words to court
Ter who advanced as he sat down. The
courtier must have spoken of them, for
tho king at once looked down at john
ston and Thorndyke and nodded his
head. The courtier spoke to page, and
the youth left the dais and came toward
tho captives
1--WE are in for it," cautioned Thorn
dyke. "Now, don't ben afraid Of your
shadow Well como out all right
The king has sent for you,' said the
page the next instant go to the
throne"
They were the cynosure Of tho entire
room as they went up tho carpeted steps
of the dais and knelt before the king