The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-02-15
all those VINO dwell in Il shall be cor

the end of all time. at least unless YOU
meet with a man brave enough and COM
passionate enough to allow you to sleep
three nights in succession curlcd about
his body. That man you perhaps will
discover some day. but that will not be
until after many long years of suffering.
and if his courage disappears before the
end of the proof to which will permit
you to put him in order to recover your
original form you will see every hope of
delyeranee vanish forever"
Having pronounced these words. the
white chevaier sprang from the summit
of the tower and disappeared. The prin-
cess, left alone, at first believed herself
the victim of some painful dream. But
her illusion was of short duration. for
the castle began to Quiyer. She thought
she was lost and fell lifeless, utteriug n
loud scream.
Ihe accursed castle, however. shaken
TO ITS foundations. sank rapidly. soon,
with its lofty turrcts it entirely disap-
peared INTO the gulf. which opened be-
meath it and which abruptly closed again,
permitting nothing 10 be seen upon its
surface save marshy plain where
hideous reptiles writhed.
On coming to herself the princess
realized the full extent of her misfortune
because her original shape had vanished,
and, changed into serpent, she crawled
IN the tetld mlre.
1T is she whom YOU now have before
you Lochlc Hoz, and in order that you
may come to her aid she has not hcsitat-
ed to relate her history"
What must be done" said Lochic who
had in the most profound silence listen
ed to the recital of the snake.
'Have | not told it? For three con
secutiVe nights you shall submit TO let mo
sleep cnveloped about your body. Yes
terday as | was seeking my miserable
nourishment. | saw perched near me-
upon the yellow of flower of an iris, a
little dragon fly, with vclvety wings Of
dark blue, and whose eyes shone like two
diamonds. | was about to make it my
prey when it murmured these words:
"Lochic Zoz will perhaps consent to let
himself he touched by the narration Of
your msfortunesT Then she opened
her wings of azure and flew toward the
heavens"
BE reassured," responded Lochic, NOV
ed with pity even TO tears, 'in three
nights you will be free"
And. having lain down, he invited the
snake to wrap herself about him.
On the morrow at break of day he re-
turned TO his cot. Although dcfled with
the miro and chilled 10y the night air,
Lochic was happy. After taking some
nourishment he proceeded to the moor of
keshor When night came. he directed
his steps toward the swamp.
"HO, there, prineessw he cried. at
is T."
AT the same instant the rushcs shud-
dered, and an enormous serpent made to-
ward lochic, giving forth frightful Kisses.
Il am lost" thought the unhappy man.
And he expected to swoon away.
| Nevertheless he laid himself down
moro dead than alive, while the monster
rolled itself about him.
I'm two nights said the serpent. 81
shall be free and will overwhelm you with
gratitude"
Ihat was all that Lochic could hear,
for his terror was so great that he had
| tainted.
When he recovered his senses the sun
was already high The serpent had dis
appeared. Feeling too weak to gain his
cottage, with difficulty he dragged him
self as far as the moor.
Nanly did he attempt TO work. His
hands were without strength, and every
instant he imagined huge serpent was
stranSIing him. These prolonged terrors
agitated his body, and he fell exhausted
to the ground.
Marshans the strGAh that remained
to him. when night came he walked to-
ward the marsh with hasty steps Then
he paused, all out of breath, and called
the princess.
Lochic,D said voice, while his throat
ratified with fear. He remained standing
In the night. Il am going to appear before
you IN horrible form. 1t is the white
cheyalier who orders it,"
Inc voice died away, and Lochic, from
"hom these words took part of his
courage. prepared himself to undergo the
iast ana terrible proof upon which de
cess. But what horror w,s soon his, '''1
The marshes were cbangad into n Iol,o
of blood. above which fow clumsiIY ond
without noise. large black birds in
strange shapes. In the red waves mon
strous serpents without number soupbt
to devour each other.
Lochic's terror swept away his courope
when he saw advancing toward him
monster, half woman. half dragon. whose
hands, armed with long talons. already
sought to seize him.
"St. Anne. have pity on mer' cr;ed
Lochic.
And without turning his head he ned
running toward his cottage.
Scarcely had he entered vyban n yiolor+