Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-31
CHAPTER VIII.

| perstltlOus fear that he had seen III the
brawny Alphian.
CHAPTER VIII.
AS Thorndyke watched the flying
machine that was bearing his friend
away n genuine feeling of pity went
over him.
Poor Johnston! He had been haunted
all day with the belief that he was to
meet with some misfortune from which
Thorndyke was to be spared, and Thorn
dyke had ridiculed his fears. When the
airship had become mere speck in the
sky, the Englishman turned back into
the palace and strolled about in the vast
crowd.
A handsome young man in uniform
approached and touched his hat.
Are you the comrade Of the fellow
they are just sending away" he asked.
Eyes. Where are they taking him?"
ITO the Barrens, of course. Where
do you suppose they would take such a
man? He couldn't pass his examination.
You are not great physical success
yourself, but they say you pleased the
king with your tongue"
ITO the Barrens," repeated Thorn
dyke, too much concerned over the fate
of his comrade to notice the speakers
tone Of contempt. "What are they?
Where are they?"
The Alphian officer changed counte-
nance as he looked him over with wild
ening eyes.
Your accent is strange. Are you
from tho other world?"
II suppose SO. This is q new one to
me at any rate"
1.-THE world Of endless oceans?''
Eyes"
"And the unchanging sun. forever
white and''-
Eyes. But where the devil is the
Barrens?''
Behind the sun, beyond the great
endless wall"
do they intend to put him to death?"
mo; that would be- What do you
call it-murder? They will simply
leave him there to die Of his own ac-
cord, and the king is right. I never saw
such weakling. He would faint our
whole race with his presence
Without word Thorndyke abruptly
turned from the officer and fastened to-
ward the apartment Of the king. He
would demand the return of poor John
ston or kill the king If his demand was
not granted. In his haste and perturba-
ton, however. he lost his way and wan.
dered into q part of the palace he had
not seen. At every step he was more
and more impressed with the magnifi-
cent proportions Of the structure and the
grandeur Of everything about 1t.
Passing hurriedly through a large
hall, he saw an assemblage Of beautiful
women and handsome men dancing to
the music Of great orchestra. Farther
on, In a great court, o regiment Of SOL
diers was drilling. its rapid evolutions
making no more sound than If it were
moving in midair. In another room he
saw o great body Of men, women and
children In varicolored suits bathing in
pool Of rose colored, perfumed water.
He was passing en- when q woman.
closely yelled and simply dressed.
touched his arm.
''Be watchful and follow me" she
said in low, guarded tone.
The heart Of the Englishman bounded
! and his blood rushed to his face, for the
speaker was the Princess Bernardino
She did not pause, but glided ON into
the shade Of great palm tree, and be-
hind row Of thick growing ferns Of
great height and thickness she waited
for him.
She lowered her veil as he approach
cd and looked at him from her deep
brown eyes in great concern. He stood
spellbound under the witchery Of her
beauty.
| Il came to warn you, prince" she
said, and her soft musical voice set ev-
cry nerve in Thorndyke's body to tin
Cling with delight. my father has ban
ished the faithful slave that you love,
but you must not show the anger that
you feel. else he will kill you. You
must be exceedingly cautious II you
would save him. My father would pun
ish me severely If he knew that I had
sought you in this way. was obliged
to come in disguise This dress belongs
to my most trusted maid"
"And you came for my sake?" blurted
out the Englishman, much embarrassed.
II am not worthy Of such high honor. -
! She smiled, and tears rose in her
eyes.
! "Oh, prince, don't speak to me sol
You are far above me. lam weak. /
know nothing. never cared for other
men than the king and my brothers till
I saw you today. but now would will
ingly be your slave"
| II am yours forever and q humble
one." bowed the courteous Englishman.
1.-THE moment saw you at the throne
Of your father my heart went out to
you. You wound it up in your music
aud trampled it under your dancing
feet have been over the whole world.
and you are the loveliest creature in it.
It is because I saw you, because you are
here, that do not want to leave your
country. They may do as they will with
me if they only will let me see you now
| and then"
The princess was deeply moved. The
blood rushed to her face and beautified
it. Her eyes fell beneath his admirina
glance. Thorndyke could not restrain
himself. He caught her slender hand
and pressed it passionately to his lips.
and she made only slight effort to pre-
vent it.
II am your obedient slave. What
shall do?' he asked.
DO not try to rescue him now," she
said softly. II shall come to you agair
when we are not watched. You car
know me by this dress. There is nc
need for great haste. He could live ir