The San Francisco call., 1898-11-27
ALFRED AND
 HIS CLARIBEL
PART l.

/ n RINCESS HELEN was very < sbeautiful and it was said that none other was as handsome as
 she, with the exception of Clari-
 bel, who was, the daughter Of a poor farmer. So lovely was Clarlbel that Princes and Knights went WOO ing her. and Princess Helen, who was very jealous. grew angry. Clarlbel' s mother was dead and she was cared for by her grandmother.
 None of the Princes or Knights suited the fancy of the grandmother, who used to say that Claribel should marry only the young King of the neighbor- ing country who was so rich that his horses ate from gold managers, and whose servants were dressed in cloth of gold
 One day the young King, whose name was Valiant sent out Alfred, a mes senger, to find for him the handsom- est of all PrinCesses for his wife. This messenger saw the Princess Helen and was speeding back to his royal master with the news that Helen was the love Hest of all when his horse fell and he was hurt badly. For many days he lay upon. a couch. raclIed by pain, at tended by ClaribeI for she saw him when he fell and had him brought to her grandmother'S house.
 Alfred soon fell in love with Clari bel and she loved him. When the . grandmother learned this she locked 'laribel in dungeon and sent Alfred IpOn his way with many angry words.
 King Valiant married Princess Helen and her ambition was satisfied but she had such bad temper that she made the King very unhappy. One day she said to the King that there was one ClaTibel, who lived in the next country, who was a witch. The King had CIar- ibel seized and brought before him, but when he saw her beauty he called to Alfred to answer why he had not told him that CIaribel was so lovely.
 By my fathers beard quoth the King. "she would ha- been my wife had I known. Strike off her shackles and set aside for her a large sum of gold that she may return to her home in peace and live no more in poverty, for she is no witch"
 Princess Helen heard and her face turned crimson with wrath. Not many days after Claribel had departed Helen sent out spies to find Claribel and cut off her lovely golden hair, which was her chief beauty. But the old grand mother had hidden ClartbeI in cave and so she escaped. Alfred heard Cf her peril and, finding where she was hidden. broke down the iron gate to the cave and carried her away in triumph to "a priests, where they were married. Together they went before King Valiant and asked his favor. Princess Helen saw them and urged the King to punish Alfred for daring to take a wife outside; Of the Kingdom, which was against the law for all men except the. King. Helen was still jeal- GUS of ClaTibel's beauty.
 The King did not wish to be cruel but, while he was talking with Prin- cess Helen. the old grandmother of fred and his bride, arrived at the Pal ace and asked for audience with the King.
 "Know, o King said the wicked old woman, that before Alfred returned to tell you that Princess Helen was the most beautiful of all. he had seen Clari- bel. He loved Claribel, whom 1 in tended to offer as your bride, and AL fred alone is at fault that she is not your queen"
 Then was King Valiant angry, for he saw clearly that not only was Clarl- bel more lovely than Helen, but that she was amiabe and kind, and he re- preached Alfred for lack of faith.
 But you shall have your Claribel he said bitterly "Henceforth YOU shall dwell in a high and lonely castle with her in the land of Giants. Never shall either come forth from the castle alive" Nor would he heed any appeal for mercy.
 Alfred and ClaribeI were placed on a ship as prisoners, and, after sailing many days over a rough ocean, they came to a rocky shore Many miles from the shore stood the stone castle in which they were to pass all their days as prisoners. When the castle gates were closed behind them huge giants were placed at the gates for guards; that neither Alfred nor Claribel might escape
 -2 They were happy in their love after 2. time. There were flowers in the garden. fish in the streams, game In the forrest and fruit of many kinds In large orchards, and no one to disturb them. They had enough to eat, and in the castle they found books and games. But they were not permitted to forget that they were prisoners. Every day. just as the castle clock struck the hour of noon. giant called through the gate at them in a loud voice that was like thunder: :: Neither in life,
 :: Neither in death,